Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu

The title is a reference to "walking" pneumonia and the Asian flu, hitting the United States in 1957-58. According to the lyrics, the singer would like to approach a woman he sees in a club, or "joint," but due to his musical illness, he's unsuccessful.

1972 saw the song become an international hit single for Johnny Rivers, featuring Larry Knechtel on piano as well as other L.A. sessions musicians from the Wrecking Crew.[3] "Rockin' Pneumonia" reached No.6 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 during the winter of 1973. It was Rivers' fifth highest charting song and spent a longer time on the chart (19 weeks) than any of his two dozen hits to that date. On the U.S. Cash Box Top 100 the song peaked at No.5, and in Canada it reached No.3.[4]

Rivers' cover of "Rockin' Pneumonia" became his third Gold record. His last Gold record would be five years later with the 1977 hit, "Swayin' to the Music (Slow Dancing)."

• In 1957, the tune was recorded by Larry Williams on Specialty Records. The back-up band included René Hall, guitar, Earl Palmer, drums, and Plas Johnson, tenor sax.[10]
• The Crickets,on their 1960 album In Style with the Crickets.
• The Flamin' Groovies, in 1969, on their debut album Supersnazz, and again on their second album Flamingo, in 1970.
• Aerosmith, in 1987, for the Less Than Zero soundtrack.
• Grateful Dead, on their Europe '72 tour at the Strand Lyceum, London, England, 23 and 24 May 1972.
• James Booker, on his albums Gonzo: Live 1976 [11] and King of New Orleans Keyboard.[12]
• Professor Longhair, in 1974, released only in 1997 on his album Rock 'n Roll Gumbo. [13]
• Deep Purple, on their 2021 album Turning to crime.

• Listen to "Rockin' Pneumonia - Boogie Woogie Flu" on YouTube (Huey "Piano" Smith)
• Listen to "Rockin' Pneumonia - Boogie Woogie Flu" on YouTube (Johnny Rivers)