In 1972, Bob Clark came up with the idea to make a film about his high school-age experiences in the 1950s. The story was set in the early 1960s and based on actual occurrences at Fort Lauderdale High School, Boca Ciega High School, and the nightclub Porky’s Hideaway in Oakland Park, Florida. Clark had trouble convincing a studio to make the film. Every Hollywood studio turned it down. He finally found a backer in Canada when Astral Bellevue Pathe agreed to make the movie. However, it had to be made in Canada to obtain the government tax benefits. The budget was $2.5 million, and it became a surprise hit, bringing in over $110 million at the box office worldwide. It was, surprisingly, the No. 5 grossing movie of 1982, but it was a crude, goofy romp through nostalgic memories mixed with fantasies.
As so often happens, the successful return warranted a sequel. Clark directed Porky’s II: The Next Day, and it was also a hit. The $6.5 million budget was a step up for Clark, and again, they made the movie in Canada. This time, the return was $33 million. Not as big as the first one, but still impressive enough to keep going back to the well. The sequel didn’t win any awards, although it was nominated for a Stinker Award.
Porky’s Revenge! was made for $9 million, bringing in more than $20 million. The saving grace of the third installment was the soundtrack. Dave Edmunds was tasked with gathering the musicians and picking material. Nine Rock & Roll Hall of Famers and one member of the Country Music Hall of Fame appear on this album, which fell through the cracks when it was initially released in 1985. Let’s look at the story behind the music of Porky’s Revenge!
The Welsh Wizard
Dave Edmunds began making waves as a guitarist in the band Love Sculpture. Their version of “Sabre Dance” peaked at No. 5 in the UK charts in 1968. He left the band and had solo success with “I Hear You Knocking” in 1970. It reached No. 4 in the U.S. Edmunds settled down in Wales, and worked on solo projects as well as producing other acts. He imitated the “wall of sound” approach of Phil Spector before finding his own style in the stripped-down sounds of Ducks Deluxe, Brinsley Schwarz, Foghat, and Flamin’ Groovies. His production style began to turn heads.
Edmunds’ first work with a movie soundtrack came with the 1974 David Essex film Stardust, where he provided guitar and vocals to the band with the prophetic name The Stray Cats. While he wasn’t credited as producer, he did arrange the songs and appear in the movie with Who drummer Keith Moon. After working with Brinsley Schwarz, a collaboration with bassist Nick Lowe led to a quartet with Billy Bremner and Terry Williams. They released records under the names of Dave Edmunds, Nick Lowe, and Rockpile. He produced his solo albums as well as projects by The Everly Brothers, Stray Cats, and Paul McCartney. Edmunds paired up with producer Jeff Lynne of Electric Light Orchestra, which influenced his sound immensely.
An Unexpected Soundtrack
The music in the first Porky’s movie was of the period or before. Chuck Berry, The Platters, Hank Williams, Patti Page, The Weavers, Les Paul & Mary Ford, and The Crew Cuts make appearances. Porky’s II: The Next Day followed the same musical formula with songs again from Chuck Berry and The Platters as well as The Fontaine Sisters, The Four Aces, and Bill Haley & His Comets. When it came to Porky’s Revenge! it was a whole new approach. Edmunds was enlisted to gather performers to record updated versions of songs from the movie’s era. The results were rootsy, American rock ‘n’ roll performed by some of the genre’s biggest stars. Edmunds gathered noted session bassist Kenny Aaronson, ex-Allman Brothers Band/Sea Level keyboardist Chuck Leavell, and former Santana drummer Michael Shrieve to act as the house band for the project.
Singles
Edmunds sang lead on two songs released as singles. “High School Nights” was backed with the instrumental “Porky’s Revenge!” “Do You Want to Dance” was paired with “Don’t Call Me Tonight,” which was previously released on his 1983 album Information. “I Don’t Want to Do It” by George Harrison was also released as a single, with “Queen of the Hop” by Edmunds on the B-side. The former Beatle first recorded the Bob Dylan song for his 1970 album All Things Must Pass, but it didn’t make the cut. The original version was eventually released on the 50th anniversary edition All Things Must Pass box set. “High School Nights” was the only song from the soundtrack to make the charts in the U.S., peaking at No. 91 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Beatles, Pioneers and Other Hall of Famers
George Harrison wasn’t the only legend involved in the project. Jeff Beck contributed his version of the Santo & Johnny classic “Sleepwalk.” Carl Perkins rerecorded “Blue Suede Shoes” and “Honey Don’t” with Stray Cats bassist Lee Rocker and drummer Slim Jim Phantom. Clarence Clemons stepped away from the E Street Band long enough to record a version of Henry Mancini’s “Peter Gunn Theme,” and The Fabulous Thunderbirds laid down their version of the story of “Stagger Lee.”
The Revenge
A couple of songs were produced by others. Chips Moman produced “Love Me Tender” by Willie Nelson, and Phil Carson and Robert Plant produced “Philadelphia Baby” by The Crawling King Snakes. This band was comprised of Edmunds on guitar, former Led Zeppelin lead singer Robert Plant, bassist Paul Martinez, and former Genesis drummer Phil Collins. Looking back on this film and its accompanying soundtrack, the movie isn’t one people need to see, but the music is worth returning to again and again. It’s 1950s music put through a 1980s filter. Revenge is sweet, indeed.
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