Big Joe Turner
Joseph Vernon "Big Joe" Turner Jr. (May 18, 1911 – November 24, 1985) was a seminal American blues shouter from Kansas City, Missouri, whose influence on the development of rock and roll is widely acknowledged. Known for his powerful baritone voice, Turner began his career in the 1920s, performing in Kansas City nightclubs as a singing bartender, earning the nickname "The Singing Barman." He often performed with pianist Pete Johnson, and their collaboration led to significant recognition.
Turner's big break came when jazz critic John Hammond discovered him and brought him to New York City for the 1938 Carnegie Hall "Spirituals to Swing" concert. This appearance helped introduce jazz and blues to a broader audience. Turner and Johnson's song "Roll 'Em Pete" became a major success and is considered a classic of the genre.
In the 1950s, Turner achieved widespread fame with his rock and roll recordings, most notably "Shake, Rattle and Roll," which became a hit and was later covered by artists like Bill Haley and Elvis Presley. His music was characterized by its energetic rhythm and blues style, which laid the groundwork for the rock and roll movement.
Throughout his career, Turner recorded with top jazz musicians and performed at major jazz and folk festivals. He appeared in several films, including the documentary "Last of the Blue Devils" (1979), and continued to record into the 1980s. Turner was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1983 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, where he was celebrated as "the brawny voiced 'Boss of the Blues.'" His legacy as a pioneer of jump blues and rock and roll endures, marking him as a pivotal figure in American music history.
App
