Hank Ballard & The Midnighters - Let's Get The Show On The Road / A Winner Never Quits

Year Released: 1968
Genre: Soul / Funk

Description:

Issued on King Records in 1968, “Let’s Get the Show on the Road” finds Hank Ballard reasserting his dynamic presence during the late-’60s transition from R&B to hard-edged funk. Backed by The Midnighters, Ballard delivers a high-energy performance driven by sharp horn riffs, syncopated guitar, and the gritty, gospel-charged vocals that once fueled his early rock ’n’ roll hits.

The A-side’s call to action — equal parts showbiz swagger and revivalist energy — plays like a blueprint for James Brown’s stage command (no surprise, given Ballard’s deep influence on Brown’s performance style).

On the flip, “A Winner Never Quits” offers a more reflective groove — mid-tempo, brassy, and motivational — pairing Ballard’s seasoned delivery with a tight, almost cinematic arrangement that speaks to perseverance and pride.

Together, the single captures a veteran artist adapting gracefully to a changing soul landscape, bridging early rhythm & blues grit with late-’60s funk urgency.