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The Kings of Rhythm

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

The Kings of Rhythm · Kings of Rhythm is an American group from Clarksdale, Mississippi, formed in the late 1940s and led by Ike Turner until his death in 2007. It grew out of a large big band, the Tophatters, which sometimes had more than thirty members. When that group broke up, part of it continued as the Dukes of Swing and part under Turner as the Kings of Rhythm. In the beginning the group mainly played covers of popular jukebox hits and had a regular Wednesday night at the Harlem Theater in Clarksdale.

Music and breakthrough

In 1951 the group recorded Rocket 88 at Sun Studios in Memphis, under the name Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats. Brenston, the saxophonist, sang and suggested the subject, the new Oldsmobile Rocket 88, while Turner made the arrangement and the piano intro. The song reached the top of the R&B chart in June 1951 and is regarded as a candidate for the first rock and roll record. The success caused quarrels, because the members received little money and recognition.

Influence

In the 1960s the group became the band of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. In the early 1970s it was called Family Vibes and made two albums, after which Turner took up the name again in 2001. The album Here and Now received a Grammy nomination, and with the group Turner made Risin' with the Blues (2006), which won a Grammy. In this way the name runs from the earliest rock and roll to the new century.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Rocket 88 and notice the piano intro and the saxophone. Can you hear why this song is sometimes called the first rock and roll record?

Discography

Studio albums

Categories: Artists