Rock and roll music, a genre that transformed the music world, has roots that trace back to the early 1950s. One of the most influential songs credited with helping to create rock and roll is “Shake, Rattle, and Roll,” first recorded in 1954. This song played a key role in bridging rhythm and blues with what would become mainstream rock and roll.
The original recording of “Shake, Rattle, and Roll” was made by Big Joe Turner in New York City on February 15, 1954. Released in April that year, it quickly became a hit. The song reached number one on the Billboard R&B chart and climbed to number 22 on the overall Billboard singles chart. Though Big Joe Turner was primarily known as a rhythm and blues singer, this track is often recognized as a foundational piece in the birth of rock and roll music.
The song was written by Jesse Stone, who used the pen name Charles Calhoun. Stone’s songwriting significantly influenced early rock and roll sounds, also penning other notable hits like “Money Honey” for The Drifters. Over time, “Shake, Rattle, and Roll” was covered by several artists, including Bill Haley & His Comets in 1954 and Elvis Presley in 1956. These covers helped cement the song’s place as a rock and roll anthem.
Big Joe Turner himself was an iconic figure from Kansas City, Missouri. Throughout his career, he released several other popular songs such as “Flip, Flop and Fly,” “Honey Hush,” and “Chains of Love.” He received significant recognition during his lifetime, winning awards like Esquire magazine’s male vocalist award in 1945 and Melody Maker’s best new vocalist award in 1956. Turner passed away from heart failure in 1985 at age 74 but was honored posthumously by being inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 and the Blues Hall of Fame two years earlier.
The impact of “Shake, Rattle, and Roll” extends beyond its chart success. The song’s lively rhythm and energetic delivery helped bring rhythm and blues into the spotlight for broader audiences. It demonstrated how rock and roll did not necessarily require electric guitars to be powerful or influential. Fans of early rock often highlight this track as evidence of rock’s roots firmly planted in blues traditions.
Today, “Shake, Rattle, and Roll” remains a classic party anthem that continues to energize crowds decades after its release. Its legacy is a testament to the collaborative evolution of American music styles that gave rise to rock and roll. The song’s history also invites ongoing discussions about who exactly created rock and roll—a genre born from many voices but forever linked to pioneers like Big Joe Turner and Jesse Stone.
