The Rebels

The Rebels may refer to:

Novels

Film and TV

Music

See also

The Rebels (miniseries)

The Rebels is a 1979 made-for-television drama film/mini-series. It is based on the historical novel, The Rebels, written by John Jakes, originally published in 1975. It is second in a series known as The Kent Family Chronicles or the American Bicentennial Series.

The story mixes fictional characters with historical events and figures, to narrate the nascent United States of America during the time of the American Revolution. While it continues the story of Philip Kent, started in The Bastard, a large portion focuses on Judson Fletcher (Don Johnson), a newly introduced character, as a different rebel. In 1979, the novel was made into this television film by Operation Prime Time.

The Rebels was preceded by the The Bastard, first in the series, and followed by The Seekers, third in the series.

Synopsis

Philip Kent takes part in the American Revolution and the newly formed congress.

Starring

The Rebels (rockabilly band)

The Rebels were a rockabilly band from Dallas, Texas that recorded School of Rock 'n Roll and Straight Skirt with Gene Summers. The group consisted of James McClung (guitar), Gary Moon (drums) and Benny Williams (slap bass). They were soon joined by pianist Bill Brown who played on some of their early personal appearances. They were one of the first rock 'n roll bands to record using the name Rebels (February 1, 1958) preceding Duane Eddy's Rebels by at least six months and the "Wild Weekend" Rebels by more than two years.

The Rebels began their musical career in 1957 while in high school at Duncanville, Texas joining forces with another classmate and singer Gene Summers. They appeared together on high school assembly programs and soon were playing gigs at the Carswell Air Force Base in Grand Prairie, Texas. At one of these shows they met a country music comedian nicknamed "Cornbread" who was appearing on a TV show hosted by Neal Jones on KRLD-TV in Dallas. Cornbread was impressed with Summers and The Rebels and invited them to appear on the TV program. This led them to a regular, weekly spot on another television program, also on KRLD, called "Joe Bill's Country Picnic" in the fall of 1957. It was while appearing on this show that they were discovered by songwriter Jed Tarver. He wanted them to record some of his songs "Straight Skirt" "Nervous", "I'll Never Be Lonely", "Gotta Lotta That" and "Twixteen". With the assistance of their manager/agent, Thomas Wolverton, Tarver was able to get them an audition with Jan Records a newly formed Dallas label.