“ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK”: ROCK ’N’ ROLL, 1954–1959
Important Names and Brief Bios
Alan Freed (1922–65):
DJ and concert promoter dubbed the “Pied Piper” of rock
’n’
roll. Played an important role in broadening the
audience for R&B among white teenagers during the
early 1950s.
Big Joe Turner (1911–85):
“Blues shouter” born in Kansas City. From 1945 to 1951,
made recordings with many labels before signing with
Atlantic in 1951. “Shake, Rattle, and Roll” (1954) was
his biggest rock ’n’ roll record for Atlantic.
The Chords:
R&B black male vocal group; performed the original
version of “Sh-Boom.”
The Crew Cuts:
White male vocal group whose cover version of
“Sh-Boom” was one of the two biggest pop hits of 1954.
Bill Haley (1925–81):
Former DJ and western swing bandleader from
Pennsylvania who moved toward the R&B jump band in
the 1950s. Along with his band, the Comets, Haley
recorded commercially successful cover versions of R&B
hits.
Herman (“Little Junior”)
Singer, songwriter, and harmonica player who achieved
Parker (1927–71):
some success with his R&B band, Little Junior’s Blue
Flames; recorded “Mystery Train” for Sam Phillips’s Sun
label.
Charlie Christian (1916–42):
African American guitarist from Texas who introduced
“ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK”: ROCK ’N’ ROLL, 1954–1959
the guitar into Benny Goodman’s band and helped
pioneer the modern jazz style bebop.
Charles Edward Anderson
Brilliantly clever and articulate lyricist and songwriter,
(“Chuck”) Berry (b. 1926):
fine rock ’n’ roll vocal stylist, and pioneering electric
guitarist. One of the first black musicians to consciously
forge his own R&B styles for appeal to the mass market.
Also known for his “duck walk.”
Aaron “T-Bone” Walker
R&B electric guitarist.
(1910–75):
Buddy Holly (Charles Hardin Early rock ’n’ roll guitarist, singer, and songwriter from
Holley) (1936–59):
the country/rockabilly side of rock ’n’ roll. Killed
tragically at the age of twenty-two in a plane crash.
Ritchie Valens (Richard
Recorded the 1958 adaptation of “La Bamba.” Killed
Valenzuela):
tragically at the age of seventeen in a plane crash. His
recordings helped establish a distinctive Los Angeles
rock ’n’ roll sound.
Jerry Lee Lewis:
White rockabilly singer and pianist.
Richard Wayne Penniman
Flamboyant early rock ’n’ roll singer and pianist. Known
“Little Richard” (b. 1932):
for his uninhibited shouting style; his hit records include
“Tutti-Frutti” and “Long Tall Sally.”
Antoine “Fats” Domino
Born in New Orleans, established as an R&B singer and
(b. 1928):
pianist before becoming a rock ’n’ roll star. Known for
his R&B-tinged hits “Ain’t It a Shame” and “Blueberry
“ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK”: ROCK ’N’ ROLL, 1954–1959
Hill.”
Elvis Presley (1935–77):
Known as “The King of Rock ’n’ Roll,” the biggest star
to come from the country side of the music world. Born
in Tupelo, Mississippi, made his first recordings in
Memphis at Sun Records, and later recorded for RCA
and became a Hollywood film star.
Colonel Thomas Parker:
Elvis Presley’s manager.
Milt Gabler:
A&R man for Decca Records. Produced a series of hit
records with Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five, and
Bill Haley and the Comets.
Kingston Trio:
One of the most popular folk groups of the rock ’n’ roll
era. Responsible for keeping public interest in folk music
alive through the late 1950s and early 1960s. Their
recording of “Tom Dooley,” an adaptation of an old
ballad song, was a huge hit.
Wanda Jackson (b. 1937):
Multitalented singer, instrumentalist, and songwriter,
known as the “Queen of Rockabilly.”
Janis Martin (b. 1940):
Promoted as the “female Elvis” by RCA in 1956.
Jo-Ann Campbell (b. 1938):
Showcased by disc jockey Alan Freed as “the blonde
bombshell” on radio, in his “rock ’n’ roll revues,” and in
his movie Go, Johnny, Go! (1959).
Lorrie (Lawrencine) Collins
Performed with her younger brother Larry as the “Collins
(b. 1942):
Kids” duo, an act that became well known through
“ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK”: ROCK ’N’ ROLL, 1954–1959
television in the mid-1950s, and also cut some
scintillating rockabilly records for Columbia between
1956 and 1958.
Connie Francis (Concetta
Italian American vocalist whose string of hits began in
Rosa Maria Franconero) (b.
1958 with her revival of a Tin Pan Alley tune from 1923,
1938):
“Who’s Sorry Now.”
Brenda Lee ( Brenda Mae
Known as “Little Miss Dynamite,” recorded engaging
Tarpley) (b. 1944):
rock ’n’ roll songs like “Sweet Nothin’s” (Number Four
pop, 1960) and “Rockin’ around the Christmas Tree.”
Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller Innovative songwriting and producing team of the early
(both b. 1933):
rock ’n’ roll years. Wrote “Hound Dog” and other R&B
songs and produced hits for Elvis Presley and the
Coasters.