Lonnie Donegan - Frankie And Johnny free for downloading

One of the greatest tracks of the '50s - truly dramatic, innovative and like nothing that had gone before!

Probably Donegan's best, still honing his trade in the mid 50s. The intro is brilliant. Note the mistake in the 3rd verse where he has Frankie leaving (and "...I'm your man", when clearly she's not). The 1978 R & B rerecording rocks but is not as good in its way as this (the Van Morrison/skiffle sessions remake doesn't come near either). In 1978 he left out the rubber-tired hearses verse, a verse that links the song to its Southern/Irish roots. Many thanks to markowee for uploading.

Lonnie is right up there with Tina Turner when you say, "There'll never be another one." I can still remember buying 'Rock Island Line' while in high school and totally playing it to death.......The Beatles probably would NEVER HAVE BEEN if Lonnie hadn't paved the way.

Wow, this is who got Jimmy Page going!!!! First time I've heard this. Cool stuff

No singer today can match what we have just heard

Fantastic nostalgia this came from a great album Denny Wright on guitar and Donegan at his peak

Fabulous, Lonnie at his very best!!

One of the best, if not THE best version. I heard that although Lonnie made a few mistakes in the names while recording, both the studio A & R man and the record producer left the recording AS IS - as they thought the feeling and emotion that Lonnie illustrated could not be repeated.  GREAT RECORDING! 

The classic version of this song. John Peel said so and he was never wrong!!

I'm listening to a generic old rock n roll playlist and this caught my attention. he's really pushing it, such an emotion and energy and soul

According to Billy Bragg's book "Roots, radicals and rockers", Lonnie Donegan Showcase was the only album by a British artist to ever enter the singles chart! He goes on to quote what John Peel said about this track: "one of the most astonishing performances in all recorded music".

This is the first time hearing him for so long great to hear it again I love my old man!!>>

Wonderful, just wonderful. Takes me back to schooldays and brings a tear to the eye.

Such feeling!Such emotion! Lonnie Donegan was a unique talent.Brilliant!

He should be in the RHOF

GOD-DAMN THAT WAS GREAT!!!! Lonnie Donegan has always amazed me as to how he puts such feeling into his songs.

Nick  Lowe loves this. Reminds me a little of Lindsey Buckingham. Cheers!