Rod Bernard
b. 12 August 1940, Opelousas, Louisiana, USA. His only hit, This Should Go On Forever (US number 12 R&B and number 20 pop in 1959), was typical of the ‘swamp pop’ sound that the Cajun population of the Louisiana bayous produced in the late '50s and early '60s. It was a cover of a rhythm and blues tune by Guitar Gable. This laid-back rock ‘n’ roll style was shared among others, by Jivin’ Gene, Joe Barry, Tommy McClain and Phil Phillips. Bernard began performing on radio at the age of 10 and worked as a disc jockey at the age of 12. In 1957 Bernard, as guitarist and lead vocalist, formed a band, the Twisters, consisting of his brother Rick Bernard (bass), Charles Boudreaux (trumpet), Marion Presley (guitar), and Ray Thomasine (drums). They began recording in 1957, and the following year recorded This Should Go On Forever for local producer Floyd Soileau. Mercury Records signed Bernard in 1959 and tried unsuccessfully to turn him into a teen idol by having him record bland love songs. Bernard returned to working as a radio disc jockey in the '60s, recording occasional swamp pop singles and albums for such labels as Hallway, Teardrop, Arbee, and Crazy Cajun.