Jimmy Van Eaton

[aboveforever]

James Mack Van Eaton (Jimmy Van Eaton or J.M. Van Eaton) born in 1937 in Memphis, Tennessee is a drummer, singer, and record producer. He is best known for recording and playing with Billy Lee Riley and Jerry Lee Lewis and others at Sun Records in the 1950s. Jerry Lee Lewis referred to him as "THE creative rok n roll drummer". He is on songs such as "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On".

His major influences are Buddy Rich and drumming in local churches. He was also influenced by Dixieland jazz and played dixieland jazz being inluenced primarily by "The Dukes of Dixieland". He changed his style when Elvis appeared and formed a rock n roll band called "The Echoes".

Billy Lee Riley was just starting then, Sun studios had James become part of a new band called "The Little Green Men" and they backed Billy. They had some great songs but couldn't get up in the charts.

He also played and recorded with Conway Twitty, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Charlie Rich, Charlie Feathers, Bill Justis, Ray Smith, Ray Smith, Warrne Smith, and others and also recorded wiht other Memphis labels.

Jerry Lee Lewis was just starting and didn't have a drummer so they asked Jimmy to drum for him. Jimmy played on most all Jerry's songs at Sun through 1960.

This is Jimmy playing "Red Hot" with Bill Lee Riley with "The Little Green Men".

[aboveforever]

This is Jimmy on "Whole Lot of Shakin' Goin' On" with Jerry.