HELENA – “The Hippy Hippy Shake” made significant progress towards becoming Montana’s official Rock and Roll song on February 20.
House Bill 392 passed out of committee on Wednesday by a vote of 18 to 2.
“It’s pretty good news,” said Chan Romero, “Hippy Hippy Shake” songwriter and original performer. “Really lights up my life. It’s just great.”
Romero originally recorded the song in 1959 in Billings at Faught Recording Studio, which was operated by the late Larry Faught.
At the time, Romero was playing with a band called the Belltones and getting paid $5 to play a show.
Romero says Faught was a great guy and that recording completely changed his life.
“At the time we were just delighted to play. Not a lot of places looking for a rock and roll band at the time,” noted Romero.
Faught’s family were present for the hearing and his son Lon brought the original reel to reel demo recording with him.
“It’s a piece of Montana history,” said Lon Faught, “You know, my dad is a Montana native. He grew up in Lodge Grass and then moved to Billings when he was 18 where he spent his entire life.”
Faught hopes House Bill 392 becomes law as a way to honor the song’s legacy and the history of his father’s recording studio.
“My dad kept in contact with Chan over the years and they remained friends,” said Faught. “This was a real significant piece of music for my dad.”
Other notable artists that recorded at Faught Recording Studio were Thumbs Carllile and Kostas Lazarides. Kostas has written many songs for prominent country artists including Patty Loveless, George Strait, and Dwight Yoakam.
House Bill 392 will still need to fully pass the House and then Senate before potentially making its way to the Governor’s desk.
Story by John Riley, MTN News
