286 Billy Lee Riley (1933-2009) & his Little Green Men “Red Hot” 1957

When Riley recorded “Flying Saucer Rock ‘n’ Roll,” the “timing was perfect, riding the crest of the rock'n'roll explosion and the growing fascination with UFOs and on the crest of the Soviet launch of the first Sputnik. The record's spectacular success led Riley to rename his band the Little Green Men and to dress them in green baize suits. With his film-star good looks and Presley-like stage moves, stardom seemed guaranteed. Yet the follow-up single, Red Hot, featuring Jerry Lee Lewis accompanying Riley on pounding piano, fared less well. In later years Riley claimed the reason was that Phillips and Sun failed to promote it properly because they were too busy pushing Lewis's own Great Balls of Fire” (“Billy Lee Riley,” The Times (London), 8/6/2009). 

Billy Lee Riley & His Little Green Men “Red Hot”

Billy Lee Riley & His Little Green Men “Flying Saucer Rock ‘n’ Roll”