Jackie Brenston of Clarksdale, Mississippi and his Delta Cats are credited with recording the first rock n’ roll song ever, “Rocket 88.” The song was recorded by the legendary Sam Phillips, and reached #1 on the R&B charts.
Later, Brenston became an alcoholic and a truck driver. He died of a heart attack at the age of 49.
I have a question, since black folk were so key in the development of rock, why don’t more black people play these days? I wish they would – I think a new black rock movement as a responce to hipster indie rock we find on Pitchfork would be cool.
Rock Trivia: The Delta Cats, in actuality, were Ike Turner and his the Kings of Rhythm.
