The Hot Rod Lincoln Singer Himself!

Bill Kirchen came to Baton Rouge last week, and brought down the house at the Red Dragon Listening Room.  In 1967, Kirchen began his route to guitar stardom as a founding member of Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen. The group recorded seven albums and established a reputation as one of the first bands to play a style of rock’n’roll that featured substantial doses of honky-tonk, rockabilly, western swing and country music.  Remember the big hit, Hot Rod Lincoln?  That was Bill.  Check it out below.

Following the band’s breakup in 1976, Kirchen went on to front several groups of his own and release 10 albums, as well as perform and record with Elvis Costello, Emmylou Harris, Nick Lowe and Gene Vincent. Now, at age 65, he maintains a rigorous touring schedule, playing over 200 live shows each year.