Rudy Hansen
Cincinnati, 1954-1958
Rudy Hansen came to Cincinnati and the WLW Hayride in 1954. He was a popular performer on the show and earned the nickname "Rockin' Rudy Hansen", when the term "rockin'" was barely starting to be recognized in popular music.
Above articles from October and November 1952, Both places were in Raritan, NJ
There is little factual information about his early life. The articles posted from the local papers says he was born in Germany and moved to the US when he was young. One story says he was raised on a farm in upstate New York and another story has as a New Jersey farmhand. There are two mentions of him playing in New Jersey in October and November of 1952. The local articles mention his big break happened at the Stork Club in NYC, this was probably around the same time (late 1952/early 1953). From there he joined a USO tour that played Japan and Korea (this was the time of the Korean War). He arrived in Cincinnati around sometime in September or early October 1954 for the Hayride on radio and TV.
Above and below from 1955, Rudy's the rage of the 'feminine sex'!
Rudy was a big hit and played a lot of shows in the region, in addition to the regular WLW activity. He stayed at WLW until late 1956 when he was recruited back to the New York area and signed a contract with Decca records. He returned to Ohio often during the summers of 1957 and 1958, appearing on the Midwestern Hayride and live shows, often under the promotion of Jimmie John or Clay Eager.
1957 appearance promoting his latest record
In 1959 he was back with the USO, playing Germany and other US bases in Europe. In 1962 he was living in Los Angeles. There's no more Ohio connections for Rudy that we could find
An August 1958 show at Hillbilly Park
His first known record was recorded prior to his Ohio time. He recorded two songs billed as Rockin' Rudy Hansen and the Delhi Boys for the Gem label in New York City. This release appears to be only on 78.
In late 1954 he recorded a 45 for the RCA subsidiary X records. The label had also signed up Midwest Hayride favorite Kenny Price and the two 45s were released at the same time.
October 1955, eternally 27 years old....
Rudy's next 45 was his most notable. He re-recorded his first side "Cry Baby Cry", but the flip side "Saturday Jump" is main attraction, the most rockin' of Rockin; Rudy's recordings. The song was credited to Rudy and Clay Eager. It was released with no label name, only a heading of 'advance release'. A short blurb in Billboard, May 5, 1956, mentions that he "may soon be recording for another label". Perhaps the record was shopped to labels hoping that it would be picked up for large scale distribution.
After Rudy left WLW and Cincinnati, he recorded three 45s for Decca with 10 months. They were all in the well produced country style and weren't big hits. That appears to be the end of his recording career.
Jan 1959...Ike likes Rudy
One of the mystries about Rudy was his age. He was listed as 27 years old in 1954 and 1959. What's the real answer? If he was 27 in 1959 that means he left Germany in 1933, possibly to escape the horror of Hitler who assumed power that year.
Discography
Cry Baby Cry / Mendin' My Fences - Gem 7004, 1954
The Mambo Queen / I Walked Away - X 45-0102, Feb 1955
Cry Baby Cry / Saturday Jump - no label (listed as Rudy Hansen Advanced Release) 1226, 1956
Don't Think I'll fall To Pieces / One Tender Kiss - Decca 30323, May 1957
Puttin' On The Style / Castaway - Decca 30409, Aug 1957
Saddle Shoe Polka / Just As Long - Decca 30594, Mar 1958