Notable New Mexicans

Hardrock Gunter

Hardrock Gunter, Rock and Roll legend

Born in Birmingham, Alabama, February 27,1925, Hardrock started his professional career in 1939. His music and comedy span eight decades. He plays, tells stories and sings the classics: classic country, classic pop, classic jazz and classic rock.

He has played the with Bohemian Grove, Rancheros Vistadores and the Roundup Riders of the Rockies, all from a modest beginning of busking on the streets and in bars.

He wrote and recorded 'Birmingham Bounce' in 1950. It is widely accepted as the first Rock & Roll song. It was a monster hit with more than 20 cover recordings from Red Foley and Pee Wee King to Lionel Hampton and Tommy Dorsey.

Rock, as he is called by close friends, is credited with several 'firsts'. He was first to name Rock & Roll Music (1950), the first Rockabilly (1950) and the first country television DJ with regular daily shows (1949). In 1954 he recorded the first Rock record on SUN Records, #201 (Elvis' first SUN record was #209.)

Rock currently calls Rio Rancho, New Mexico home and is still playing, primarily in Europe where he is a legend. He has headlined Rock festivals in Munich, Germany, Denver, Colorado and London, Hemsby and Rye, England.