Nut Rocker
Nut Rocker is an instrumental rock single by B. Bumble and the Stingers, released in 1962. It’s a fast, lively rendition of the Nutcracker march from Tchaikovsky’s 1892 ballet.
The track was recorded in Los Angeles by Rendezvous Records’ studio musicians, produced by Kim Fowley. With Ernie Freeman not showing up, guitarist René Hall brought in Al Hazan to play the piano. Nut Rocker hit number 23 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in March 1962 and climbed to number 1 in the U.K. in May. It was reissued in 1972 in the U.K., reaching about number 20.
The BBC considered banning it as a parody of classical music, but concluded it would not offend listeners. Nut Rocker has had wide use in sports and entertainment, including as the Boston Bruins’ broadcasting theme on WSBK-TV, and appearances in films such as Butcher Boy and Big Momma’s House, as well as on ITV’s Heartbeat.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer later made a live version of Nut Rocker, released in 1972 on their Pictures at an Exhibition album. That version charted in the U.S. at number 70. ELP used a Clavinet (later sometimes a Yamaha CP-70) for the sound.
In 2009, Trans-Siberian Orchestra released a version on their Night Castle album featuring Greg Lake. Nut Rocker remains a popular, enduring tune in rock history.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 18:57 (CET).