THE DODGE BROTHERS ‘Rock Island Line’
(as featured in the movie Midas Man)
Available on all streaming platforms from 07 October 2024
Midas Man available on Prime Video UK from 30 October 2024
As far as influential records go, Lonnie Donegan’s ‘Rock Island Line’ is hard to beat. The anthem of the British skiffle movement caught the popular imagination of an entire generation of teenagers. It also inspired many of the household names we know today including Mick Jagger, Jimmy Page and of course, The Beatles.
‘Rock Island Line’ was a firm favourite amongst The Quarrymen. On 6th July 1957 it was included in the group’s set for their performance at St Peter’s Church garden fete. It was at this show that John Lennon met Paul McCartney for the first time, who within just a few short months would join the band.
In their version, The Dodge Brothers show the early influences of The Beatles by recording ‘Rock Island Line’ as it would have been recorded in 1953 (live, in one take with no overdubs and no headphones). This was produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Steve Levine in Liverpool.
The Dodge Brothers & the Brian Epstein movie MIDAS MAN
“The Dodge Brothers are unique. And incorporating the buzz of their live performance into our film was vital, musically and historically. Their authentic early American rock/skiffle sound was what inspired the young Beatles. Lonnie Donegan was a big hero to John and Paul. To have The Dodge Brothers play Rock Island Line Live at The Cavern prior to our Beatles arriving on stage is massively significant. It literally represents the moment when rock ‘n’ roll stole the stage and the spotlight away from skiffle.
It’s an important moment in the history of rock ’n’ roll music. And watching The Dodge Brothers recreate it was a thrill. And better still, we’ve captured the moment as a single. Listening to it will time-travel you back to 1961. And The Cavern.
Who knows? Maybe skiffle is about to reclaim its crown!”
– TREVOR BEATTIE (Producer of Midas Man)