DESCRIPTION:
One more 78 from the stack. Bring in the first day of the new year with what's acknowledged to be the first Rock N' Roll record . . . well kind of and depending on who you read or talk to. Anyways, at least one of the very first. One of the first with a true back beat and distorted guitar. Rocket 88 was recorded in Sam Phillips Memphis Studio and released on Chicago's Chess Records back in 1951. It was a number one R&B hit. The band is actually Ike Turner's Kings of Rhythm and Jackie, Ike's cousin was their sax player. Jackie sang on this cut so it became his tune. Ike was still playing piano and it's his excellent rocking piano that helps brings the song in.