Who Was the First Rock and Roller?

Arguably the most popular music style in the world, rock and roll has broken a lot of cultural ground in the past sixty plus years. But who was the first to play the fast-tempo blues that took the world by storm? I'll give you a tiny hint: it wasn't Elvis.

In all honesty, we probably cannot track down who was literally the first person to ever play that style but we can trace it back to a handful of artists around 1949-1954. Ike Turner, Fats Domino, Lloyd Price, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry and countless other musicians culminated in this era to produce a sound that was becoming increasingly popular.

The first rock and roll hit, according to many music historians, was "Rocket 88" by Jackie Brentson in 1951. 1954 was the year Elvis recorded "That's All Right" and Big Joe Turner released "Shake Rattle and Roll." By 1955 rock and roll (radio disc jockey Alan Freed popularized the name) was in full swing.

The matter of who had the first rock and roll song is largely irrelevant. That it exists at all is what matters. When the blues had a baby and named it Rock and Roll, who knew how much it would change the world.

Is it Blues?

What makes the blues the blues? I have wondered this myself and the answer I have come up with is, "Whatever you want it to be." Blog over.

Well, not necessarily. There have been many times when I have caught myself saying, "This isn't blues! How can they call that blues?" But, to each his own and somebody wants to call a jazz or rock tune blues then more power to them. W. C. Handy deserves his place in history as the single person who brought blues out of the South and into the rest of the world. Though, I must say, I cannot listen to some his arrangements without getting bored. A tempo-perfect, pitch-perfect, highly structured, horn-filled and frilled blues song is not usually appealing to my ears. To be honest, I would consider an a capella gospel spiritual more of a blues song than them.

Now, I must backtrack for a second and say that the only thing I do think is required to call a piece of music the blues is soul. Call it feeling, conviction, honesty -- whatever. It must come from a place of emotion. Now that does not mean, of course, that other musical genres cannot posses soul, but if music does not have soul, it is most certainly not blues. I am talking about soul in the song itself and, more, importantly, in the delivery. Do yourself a favor: listen to "Grinnin' in your Face" by Son House. Zero guitar, 100% blues.

Also, read this short article about the roots of the blues by Debra Devi. It explains, in part, how I feel. So, good luck with your journey on the River Blues. Peace.

The Mississippi Delta

Proud to introduce the Blues United community!

I, like a lot of kids, grew up on the music my parents listened to. Rock and roll music -- Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, KISS, AC/DC -- was by bread and butter. Until about age 13. During a visit to my uncle's place, we were listening to the music channels on cable. I am not sure if they have those anymore, but, basically, it was radio on the TV. We were likely listening to some classic rock or metal (I think I remember Blue Oyster Cult) when he looked at me and, with an air of intensity and subtle excitement, like he had a secret, asked, "You wanna hear some REAL shit?"

Umm . . . Yes, please.

What kid doesn't want to hear great music. So, he turns the television to a channel labeled "Blues." Now I had heard of the blues before this, and had even heard it in the form of blues rock, but this . . . this was something completely different. It was Robert Johnson's "Walking Blues." I didn't know music like this existed and was surprised that I liked an old, crackly song that was just a guy and a guitar. But I did like it. I loved it.

Now, at 27, I have been immersing myself in blues music ever since. My passion has inspired me to create a community of blues lovers worldwide that can share in the greatest music tradition in the world. Please engage and share your blues story. The Facebook page is:
www.facebook.com/inblueswetrust