Shorty Medlocke

SHORTY MEDLOCKE

Shorty Medlocke (born Paul Robert Medlock, 1910 – 1982) was an American delta blues and hard rock musician and composer. A descendant of the Blackfoot Confederacy, he is the grandfather of Rickey Medlocke of the Southern rock band Blackfoot. Starting in 1979, Shorty made contributions to Blackfoot’s music. He wrote the Top 40 hit “Train Train” (released on the album Strikes), and played harmonica on the track. Shorty had also appeared on Blackfoot’s 1975 debut album, No Reservations, singing a version of “Railroad Man” (which he also wrote). (More from Wikipedia)

Blackfoot front man Rickey Medlocke’s grandfather, bluegrass musician Shorty Medlocke (Blackfoot) wrote the band’s biggest hit single from their most successful album Strikes, “Train, Train” and played harmonica on the song. Another track from this album, “Highway Song” was a hit later in 1979. Shorty Medlocke wrote and also performed on several other songs for the band – “Railroad Man” (on No Reservations), “Fox Chase” (on Tomcattin’) and “Rattlesnake Rock ’n’ Roller” (on Marauder).

(August 2013)