Rock N Roll Black History Month

Welcome back Rock N Roll Fashionistas! In this weeks episode we explore the intrinsic link between Rock N Roll music and Black History Month, how the very roots of Rock N Roll evolved out of the magic that emerged from the 1940's Chicago blues scene and the development of Rhythm & Blues music as an offshoot of the popular Swing jazz music of the era.

We reveal the very first Rock N Roll song ever!

We reveal the very first use of guitar distortion ever!

Join us on numerous stops around the dial visiting the legendary Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee with none other than Sam Phillips and and his young protégé Elvis Presley.

We visit Polish immigrant World War II veterans the Chess brothers, Leonard and Phil, along with their cavalcade of stars including Howling Wolf, Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, Chuck Berry and Etta James at the legendary Chess Records in Chicago.

We dig into the Birth Of The Electric Blues, the lasting legacy of Mary Lou Williams, the First Lady of Jazz Piano, Bebop and so much more!

"Say it loud, I'm Black and I'm proud!" - James Brown

Opening track: "Hound Dog" by Big Mama Thornton, recorded on August 13, 1952 and released as a single 45 RPM by Peacock Records in late February1953. From the Big Mama Thornton album Hound Dog: The Peacock Recordings https://music.apple.com/ca/album/hound-dog-the-peacock-recordings/1444120044.

Both 19 years old at the time, songwriting duo Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller wrote the song Hound Dog n August 12, 1952 after being asked by R&B bandleader Johnny Otis to drop in on a Big Mama Thornton rehearsal and watch her work. They wrote the song the same day and recorded it the next. Written specifically for Thornton, Hound Dog was intended to reflect the 22 year old Thornton's personality, brusque and badass. Her recording of the song went on to Top seven Billboard Charts at the time including going #1 in the Billboard Top 100 and #1 in Billboard's Top Selling R&B Singles chart. At the time it was released it spent over three months in the R&B charts.

 

Closing track: "Rocket 88" 1951 Chess Records single attributed to Jackie Brenston And His Delta Cats. Sax player Jackie Brenston sang lead vocals on this track written by Ike Turner and recorded by Ike Turner & His Kings Of Rhythm at Sun Studios in Memphis, Tennessee, produced by Sam Phillips. Guitar distortion by Willie Kizart with tenor saxophone solos by 17 year old Raymond Hill. https://music.apple.com/ca/album/youre-drivin-me-insane/299062706 Please note that lead vocalist, sax player Jackie Brenston's name is spelled incorrectly on this Apple Music album listing as Jackie Brenson. Apologies to the Brenston family and those who cherish Mr. Brenston's timeless legacy.