The Ram Jam version originated from guitarist Bill Bartlett , who first recorded it with his previous band, Starstruck. Producers Jerry Kasenetz and Jeffry Katz later formed Ram Jam around Bartlett to re-release the track nationally. What is "Black Betty"?
"Black Betty" is a hard rock classic by the American band , released in 1977 . While the band is often remembered as a one-hit wonder, the song remains a staple of classic rock radio due to its relentless riff and driving rhythm. Origins and Evolution Ram Jam - Black Betty
The song is actually a rock adaptation of an old African-American work song. Its history predates the 1970s by decades: The Ram Jam version originated from guitarist Bill
In Southern prisons, "Black Betty" was a common name for the bullwhip used by guards. "Black Betty" is a hard rock classic by
The first known recording was made in 1933 by musicologists John and Alan Lomax , who recorded a prisoner named James "Ironhead" Baker at a Texas state prison.