whatwas.gif (2271 bytes)

number_one_record.jpg (478720 bytes)

cb94_1.jpg (19389 bytes)

The following is from the book: "WHAT WAS THE FIRST ROCK 'N' ROLL RECORD?" by Jim Dawson & Steve Propes, by Faber & Faber, 1992, provides their following list of candidates:

1 Jazz at the Philharmonic: Blues, Part 2 (1944)

2 Joe Liggins - The Honeydripper (1945)

3 Helen Humes - Be-Baba-Leba (1945)

4 Freddie Slack -  House Of Blue Lights (1946)

5 Arthur (Big Boy) Crudup - That's All Right (1946)

6 Jack McVea - Open The Door, Richard (1946)

7 Lonnie Johnson: -  Tomorrow Night (1948)

8 Wynonie HarrrisGood Rockin' Tonight (1948)

9 Bill Moore: We're Gonna Rock, We're Gonna Roll (1948)

10 The Orioles - It's Too Soon To Know (1948)

11 John Lee Hooker - Boogie Chillen (1948)

12 Arthur Smith and the Crackerjacks - Guitar Boogie (1948)

13 Stick McGhee - Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee (1949)

14 Jimmy Preston -  Rock The Joint (1949)

15 Louis Jordan: -  Saturday Night Fish Fry (1949)

16 Professor Longhair -  Mardi Gras In New Orleans (1949)

17 Fats Domino - The Fat Man (1950)

18 Muddy Waters -  Rollin' and Tumblin' (1950)

19 Hardrock Gunter - Birmingham Bounce (1950)

20 Hank Snow - I'm Movin' On (1950)

21 Ruth Brown - Teardrops From My Eyes (1950)

22 Arkie Shibley - Hot Rod Race (1950)

23  Les Paul and Mary Ford -  How High The Moon (1951)

24 Jackie Brenston with His Delta Cats - Rocket 88 (1951)

25 The Dominoes - Sixty Minute Man (1951)

26 Johnnie Ray with the Four Lads: Cry (1951)
      
27 The CloversOne Mint Julep (1952)

28 Bill Haley and the Saddlemen - Rock The Joint (1952)

29 The Dominoes - Have Mercy Baby (1952)
 
30 Lloyd Price - Lawdy Miss Clawdy (1952)

31 Hank Williams - Kaw-Liga (1953)

32 Willie Mae"Big Momma" Thorntonn - Hound Dog (1953)

33 Big Joe Turner - Honey Hush (1953)

34 Clyde McPhatter and the Drifters - Money Honey (1953)

35 The Crows - Gee (1953)

36 Big Joe Turner- Shake, Rattle, and Roll (1954)

37 The Royals/Midnighters - Work With Me, Annie (1954)

38 The Chords - Sh-Boom (1954)

39 Bill Haley and His Comets - (We're Gonna) Rock Around the Clock  (1954)

40 The Robins - Riot In Cell Block #9 (1954)

41 Elvis Presley, Scotty and Bill - That's All Right (1954)

42  The Penguins - Earth Angel (Wiill You Be Mine) (1954)

43 LaVern Baker and the Gliders - Tweedle Dee (1954)

44 Johnny Ace - Pledging My Love (1954)

45 Ray Charles - I've Got A Woman (1954)
 
46 Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley (1955)

47 Chuck Berry - Maybellene (1955)

48 Little Richard - Tutti Frutti (1955)

49 Carl Perkins  - Blue Suede Shoes (1956)

50 Elvis Presley - Heart Break Hotel (1956)

home.gif (2894 bytes)