Some readers might realize that the roots of Rock, date back much further than Blues hits of the 50's.
The Blues were born when African American slaves began singing, as they picked cotton and corn in the deep south.
Here are a few examples of Blues Songs, by African American artists that were re-released as Rock and Roll hits.
A wildly energetic and gyrating Elvis Presley (the King of Rock and Roll) took to the stage on The Milton Berle Show in 1956 to sing the now legendary rock hit, “Hound Dog.” The controversial televised performance — set to the swoons and giggles of excited female audience members — won the singer his nickname “Elvis the Pelvis.” The song topped the Billboard charts and remains one of the most-loved tunes in rock ‘n’ roll history — but it actually made its first appearance today in August, back in 1952. Rhythm and blues singer Ellie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton recorded her chart-topping original version in Los Angeles.
The term “rock and roll” was early African American slang for sex, and Cleveland record store owner Leo Mintz employed the phrase to get white teens to buy rhythm and blues music without racial prejudice. Early blues recordings have influenced musicians throughout history...
Jazz trombonist Kai Winding and his orchestra first recorded the Jerry Ragovoy - born September 4, 1930 - penned
“Time is on My Side” in 1963, but the only refrain he included was the song’s title and “You’ll come runnin’ back.” It featured backup vocals from powerhouse singers Cissy Houston,
Dionne Warwick, and Dee Dee Warwick. Soulful Irma Thomas recorded her version of the song in 1964, with the help of songwriter Jimmy Norman, who elaborated on the lyrics. It became their first top ten hit in the US and an enduring classic.His best-known composition "Time Is on My Side" (written under the pseudonym of Norman Meade) was made famous by
The Rolling Stones. Ragovoy also wrote "Stay With Me", which was originally recorded by Lorraine Ellison and made famous by Bette Midler in her film The Rose.
Kansas Joe McCoy/Memphis Minnie and “When the Levee Breaks,” Otis Rush and “I Can’t Quit You Baby,” and Muddy Waters “You Shook Me”
Husband and wife blues music duo Kansas Joe McCoy and Memphis Minnie wrote a song in response to the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927, which devastated the region and forced many African Americans to relocate to the Midwest. Led Zeppelin covered the track in 1970. Jimmy Page called it “the most subtle thing” on the English rock band’s fourth album, elaborating on the lyrics and musical arrangements.
Led Zeppelin also borrowed from blues musicians Otis Rush and Muddy Waters for “I Can’t Quit You Baby” and “You Shook Me” — both songs written by Willie Dixon — which appeared on their debut album.
Blind Willie McTell and “Statesboro Blues”
Most people are familiar with The Allman Brothers’ slide riffs when it comes to the song “Statesboro Blues,” but Piedmont and ragtime blues singer and guitarist Blind Willie McTell demonstrated his own “astonishingly rich” and “dazzling” guitar work on the song in 1928.
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