Carl Perkins, 1932-1998

CATS ARE SUPPOSED to have nine lives. Rockabilly cat Carl Perkins had at least three.

The first got spent in '56. As Perkins was driving to New York City to perform his hit 'Blue Suede Shoes' on The Perry Como Show, his Chrysler slammed into the rear of a truck. He suffered a broken collarbone - and a loss of national TV exposure that probably set back his career.