Rock & Roll has come a long way, from the sock hops in the gym and wearing poodle skirts that I remember, to this little skater with her perfectly timed fist pump.

The Hubby suggested that folks should know about Big Joe Turner if you really want know how far back Rock and Roll goes.

I was trying to find the first rock & roll song. I bet someone out there knows. Please share the wisdom. Or tell me what is the oldest R&R song you remember dancing to?

7 thoughts

  1. Pingback: Weekly Photo Challenge: Carefree Dancers With Big Smiles | Slam on the Brakes, Pull Over, Take the Picture

  2. Love this, Carol! I’m not sure if there was ever a “first” rock & roll song. Big Joe Turner was at the forefront of Rhythm and Blues in the early 1950’s, the precursor to, and foundation of, rock & roll. Some say Rock & Roll would have never happened without him. (Obvious from the video!) The term “rock and roll” was often used in reference to rhythm and blues music in the 1940’s and ’50’s; there was even a “Rock and Roll Inn” in New Jersey. The famous Cleveland disc jockey Alan Freed made the term popular in the early 50’s. I think it is more of a historical spectrum than a particular song. How lucky we are to have those vintage clips of the great singers!

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    1. Beautiful concise history of RocK & Roll. Thank you. My husband was insistent that I use Big Joe Turner when talking about the roots of R&R! I found a 1928 clip of a guitarist with the same chords and rhythm, what a treasure. Thank you for sharing your wisdom. EVERYONE please read above.

      PS Lynn, I saw the PBS Special with Prince Charles talking about his gardens and how they have music in them. I hope you did too. I’ll look up the name if you need it. Or maybe you saw it too…
      Carol

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  3. Not sure you will check back this far on your blogs but I’m going to comment anyway. The first rock record (45 rpm) I remember is in the mid to late 1940’s. It was called Rockin’ with Red. I don’t think it did too well because that was in the middle of the Big Band Era. Anyway I liked it. And I still have it. Hee, hee (bet you knew I’d still have it didn’t you?)

    Neal

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      1. I still have that stereo I got in 1959. It’s upstairs in the closet but Im sure it won’t work without rebuilding it and putting new belts and etc on it. Would love to do that someday because I have so many records.

        Neal

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  4. Target and Bed Bath sell these cool Crosly record players that play CDs too. Our record your records. You should ask Santa for one.

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