Billy “Crash” Craddock – Rub it in (1970)

Billy “Crash” Craddock – Rub it in (1970)


Billy “Crash” Craddock is an American country and rockabilly singer. He first gained popularity in Australia in the 1950s with a string of rockabilly hits, including the Australian number one hit “Boom Boom Baby”. Switching to country music, he gained popularity in United States in the 1970’s with a string of top ten country hits, several of which were number one hits, including “Rub It In”, “Broken Down in Tiny Pieces”, and “Ruby Baby”. Craddock is known to fans as “Mr. Country Rock” for his uptempo rock-influenced style of country music. His unusual nickname was given to him by his high school football team and it would stick on and off the playing field for the rest of his life.

“Knock Three Times.” became the first of nine number one singles for Crash and literally paved the way for his world-wide success. Other number ones include “Rub It In,” “Ruby Baby,” “Broken Down in Tiny Pieces,” “Easy as Pie,” “Sweet Magnolia Blossom,” “Ain’t Nothin’ Shakin’,” Still Thinkin’ ‘Bout You,” and “Dream Lover.”

Craddock consistently hit the country top ten in the 1970’s and he became one of country music’s first male sex symbols. Unusually handsome for a male country star of the era and dressed in stage clothes exposing his chest as he growled his way through rocking numbers and love songs with a stage persona strongly influenced by Elvis Presley.

Billy “Crash” Craddock has achieved every one of his career goals. He has toured to sell-out crowds around the world on numerous occasions, and has been able to entertain audiences time and time again.
Craddock was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 2011

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