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Jackie Brenston’s Rocket “88”
Rocket “88” is considered by many historians to be the 1st Rock & Roll song. The elements which are considered rock ‘n’ roll include; it’ a song is about a car (Oldsmobile Rocket 88), it’s rockin’ sax solo, and it’s signature dirty guitar riff. The dirty guitar sound was caused by their amp, which got wet in the rain on the way to the studio.
Rock & Roll was not a term yet when this song was released. Three months after its release in July 1951, a local DJ, Alan Freed started playing R&B on his Moondog radio program in Cleveland, and he would later coin the term “Rock ‘n’ Roll”. Also, it was the 1st single song inducted into the RNRHOF in Cleveland.
Although this song is credited to the singer, Jackie Brenston and his delta cats, it was actually performed by Ike Turner & his Kings of Rhythm. The master was recorded at Memphis Recording Service (later SUN Records) by Sam Phillips and was released as a single on Chess Records in Chicago, Illinois and it became a No.1 hit on the R&B charts in April of 1951. Click here to listen to the song