As a 72 year old rock and roller, gigging guitarist, still listening to modern metal and blues rock and jazz blues I really appreciate this delve in to the raw sound and idea of rock and roll, great idea guys, love your work!

Wonderful to see your beautiful faces brightening my KZfaq feed once again. A guitar teacher told me when I was young that to better understand the musicians we love we should study the musicians who influenced them. Go to the source. I hadn’t heard this song before, thank you for the Rock n Roll history lesson. Love from England ❤

Now we know who to blame for all of this musical madness. Thank you Goree Carter.

Sounded like a Jazz, Swing, Funk, Blues, Honky Tonk song all wrapped in one

Metal start could be helter skelter by the beatles and born to be wild by steppenwolf which contained the phrase "heavy metal thunder"Whole Lotta love by zeppelin was a early heavy rocker too

Yes, Kel, the sax solo just quoted Jingle Bells. Looks like you caught it on the second listen.

Now we know where Chuck Berry found his sound. And where I grew up the first Rock and Roll I ever experienced was from Buddy Holly. Cool song you found as it definitely had to influence Elvis and Buddy. I know on clear nights from Lubbock we could pick up stations from Louisiana that played these songs.

Hi Kel N' Rich. So glad to see you back, & the weird thing is you're getting younger.😁👌

It's fun learning about rock history

Y'all the history really intrigues me, but my body's Very present jamming to this jam-packed boogie Woogie with the screaming horn and pounding keys! Go, man, GO!

This is Boogie Woogie with a 12 bar blues pattern on piano, Dixieland Jazz horns, guitar and vocals deff rock n roll. Piano solo deff rock n roll. I like it.

I am from Chuck Berry's hometown of St Louis Mo and you have turned me on to his biggest influence. I had no idea . I'm SO glad your back!! Great research Kel!

There's a great version of Rocket 88 on the harmonica legend James Cotton's double live LP from the 70's.

Howdy! I remember the first R&R I heard. When I was 4-5yo (76 now) my cousin got her driver's license at 16 (no learner permits then) and would drive to our farm outside Memphis to take her favorite cousin for rides. When I first got in the car, she swore me to secrecy about what she was going to do or she'd never be allowed to drive without her parents again. She dialled up a black radio station and introduced me to Sun recordings, including Elvis. It WAS Memphis after all! Those are my credentials. My family moved to Florida in '53. Now, about these recordings. Having "Rock" in the title was another way to talk about getting laid (his baby was coming home!), like "Jazz me". (Both were used to to describe what us white folks thought was musical and sexual degeneracy. There was another name that doesn't need mention. The names were picked up by musicians ironically, like "thugs" in thug life, like punk, satanic, death, and other forms "norms" tried to insult and deter young folks with. It never works.) Anyway, back to the subject: The first record sounded more like a step between blues and R&B to me, both now recognized predecessors to rock. I'd say it was an evolutionary step to rock. The second used emphasis on the downbeat, an identifier of black R&R to this day. I think music evolves without clear distinctions between one form or another. Like biological evolution. I'm certain that rock existed in unrecorded form long before it was recorded for us white folks. There are lots of "missing links". I think the designations come from a desparate need for us to unnecessarily classify and divide all aspects of "others". Another ironic example of division happened to our college radio station in the early 80s, which mixed mostly R&R and a little classical. The classical listeners secretly bought out the station and rejected all forms of "modern" music. The claims were that they didn't understand it because it wasn't "explained" to them. (Classical jocks read the backs of the record covers on air. Snore.) As I had predicted, once they no longer had rock to complain about, they started up on each other about recordings that were new or different versions of the same classical music. (White people! We're so predictable.) Now, having bored the crap out of everyone, Welcome Back! Great new start. Git'em girl!

Thank you so much Kel for sharing this. It is important that we learn about the roots of rock so we can better preserve it for the future... in all its iterations.

I really enjoy the historical aspect of today's show. I like the different spin that you guys give on things.🔥🔥

Kelly, wanna dance? Serious East Coast Swing....all the way home!!!

What a crazy mixed up jambalaya of a song. It's a typical three chord blues shuffle with a boogie piano, a big band drum beat, Chuck Berry guitar style riffs, and a rhythm and blues singer. WOW! If I were to hear this without the foreknowledge that it's considered the first rock song, I would have thought it to be strictly rhythm and blues, which had a very heavy influence on rock. By the way, the first rock hit was Rock Around The Clock by Bill Haley and His Comets in 1955.

After saying goodbye to a dear friend of 53 years, this is the breath of fresh air I needed! Thanks KnR. Rest in peace Chris, someone else will restore those Victrola's in your place. Peace all.

Never heard this song, never heard of the artiste, but that is undeniably a rock and roll tune!

Thank you so much for this, Kel! Another channel I sub to stated they were going to do something similar, but it’s been totally haphazard. You are doing it the right way. That beat and guitar pattern are totally familiar to me from the 50’s and songs like Rock Around the Clock and Gimme That Rock and Roll Music. This will be fun! 🤗

There’s a reason why Lemmy from Motörhead would go on a on about Little Richard, Chuck Berry, among others etc.. He knew where rock and roll came from and never claimed to play “heavy metal”.. he always said “We are Motörhead and we play rock and roll.”

Classic 50s recording studio sound. The studios were in Houston Texas. All the releases were on 78's

This is a Jazz into Rock sound I have never heard before. Wow. Thank you!

What a great idea. Thank you for this. I'm amazed at how good this recording sounded.

Interesting program. Let's hear more.

This is the music that Alan "Moon Dog" Freed said, "Rocks and rolls" when he first started to "spin the discs" on WJW-AM 850....

This is a wonderful topic. I've left some info on Part 2. I hope you do more of this! You have to check out Sister Rosetta Tharpe, who predated Goree Carter and had all the elements of what would later be called Rock, including guitar solos. Called the Godmother of Rock and Roll.

Very nice see you again with reactions on this channel. Great you are back. Greeting from the Netherlands 🇳🇱 Also a Nightwish fan😉

The first metal song ever was Bach's Tocattai and fugue in d minor.

I've heard of Rocket 88 and it was actually written by Ike Turner. I've never heard this song. I'm amazed by how obvious the influence this has on legendary musicians. From the first double stop chords that he played, I immediately thought of Chuck Berry, even though this was earlier than he even got started.

Great idea guys. Love to see Kel in a poodle skirt...you to Rich! Your peeps love metal, but let's dive into some rock-n-roll from the 1950s. Kel is good at research; check out Sun Records, and see what you find. Eclectic musical choices will definitely expand your mind! WOW did I just rhyme? Think I'll pull out my birthday present, a book of 500 dirty limericks; there once was a man from Nantucket.....

Welcome back guys! Glad you're back! I don't know if you've heard it but there's an entire new Soen album that is in real need of a KnR track-by-track reaction... Can't wait!

There are a number of songs that are credited as being the first rock & roll song. From Wiki, contenders for the title of "first rock and roll record" include Sister Rosetta Tharpe's "Strange Things Happening Every Day" (1944), "That's All Right" by Arthur Crudup (1946), "Move It On Over" by Hank Williams (1947), It's Too Soon to Know" by The Orioles (1948), "The Fat Man" by Fats Domino (1949), Goree Carter's "Rock Awhile" (1949), Jimmy Preston's "Rock the Joint" (1949) and "Rocket 88" by Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats (1951). All before Elvis Presley and Bill Haley and his Comets took the sound to white teenagers. Actually when you listen to many songs from 1938 onwards you can hear the elements that become ‘rock & roll’ being conjured from elements of Western swing, boogie woogie, blues, jazz, gospel, vocal harmonies singers experimenting with swing and backbeat, amplified vocals and guitars.

Kel n Rich this is like Chuck Berry, Fats Domino and Little Richard. Elvis loved this music. Beale Street in Memphis Tn. where he spent a lot of time.

OMG!...I think you pulled out a real gem here! Ive heard of Rocket 88. This to me has all the elements of early rock we are familar with. Jerry Lee Lewis/Little Richard piano...Chuck Berry guitar......Buddy Rich drums...its all here in this song! Electric guitar it could be argued was still in its infancy. The Fender Telecaster...(Broadcaster...it was renamed Telecaster a couple years later...abd went for a while with no name...collwctors call this era the "Nocaster") was only 1 year old when this was recorded. I dont know what is being played on this record...but that gives an era idea of where instrumentation was with electrified instruments. Speaking on the guitar...that famous intro riff we relate to Chuck Berry and his peers...is just the beginning of what this song offers. There are moments behind the piano and Sax solos where the sharp punctuated guitar chords sound more modern that we might expect from a song this old. It almost sounds like Goree discovered distortion... There are so many ekements Im hearing I could point to other contemporary tunes and say...yes...Goree hit that first. Im shocked and amazed. I gotta check...has this ever been covered by artists we know today? It sounds way newer than its actual recording date! I wonder if the Stray Cats recorded it. There is a lot of Rock-a-bilky here...I here a tint of hard rock. A smidgen of metal...a bit of pop....I hope you open a lot of eyes on this....Id love for this to hit the charts!!

Sister Rosetta Tharpe was killin it on electric guitar long before the 50s

Kel n Rich this is great. This is the music that influenced Elvis Presley. He loved Jazz R&B, which is what he recorded. Great song.

Most excellent!! Kel you're giving back to us through education. Thank you!!!

It's an old saying.... "Country Music and the Blues had a baby, and they named it Rock and Roll".

The term heavy metal came from the lyrics of BORN TO BE WILD.

great choice folks .. never knew this song was around

First song to have all the trademarks of metal my answer is: The Kinks - You really got me (1965). The guitar hammering that hefty riff, bass acompanies. The drums hammering through the song like their is no tomorrow.

Glad to see you back!!!!

Very well done Kel! Nailed it.

Definitely a first time listen and definitley impressed

Billy Powell understood Piano had soul. This is the roots of it. Rag Time Blues at it best here. I had visions of WB Cartoons during some of this playback. Bill Haley had his ears open when he heard on song. Most definable as an Influencer of Rock & Roll in my opinion.

Love you guys being back!!!

Sounds like this is how chuck Barry got started my mom was a huge 50s fan I grew up on it

used to have an old edison phonoghraph , the records were 1/2" thick , the ones we had was mostly black people singing "field music" . I believe that started it all. Those voices plus the instrumentals of the white man.

so great too have you both back and the set layout is wicked, we've missed you both and now lets rock 🤘

And this is why any good R&R band has a saxophone. I like your delving into the history/base of R&R.

Good to see you guys again, havent seen anything from you in a Long time. Was wondering if you had quit the reactions, You are 1 of my favorites to watch. ❤

I caught the Jingle Bells vibe too!

former sound engineer - natural electronic compression.

sounds like Jazzy Rock. I hear all those keys and I think of the guy playing the piano in a saloon

Attention all planets of the solar federation, Kel has assumed control

I agree with Gore Carter as first Rock song, though there are lots of Blues musicians who were the progenitors, particularly Howlin' Wolf.

Still happy you're back. Just love you guys.

Hi Kel n Rich. Long time no see. Great to see you both back.

Carry On Wayward Son is a great by Kansas was covered by Anthrax. It's a crazy good (Great) cover of a beautiful 70's song.

Welcome back 👍👍

That is a great example, as is Rocket 88 (1951, and featured Ike Turner as a band member)…however, there is a video here on KZfaq about the history of rock and roll that not only mentions this song, but ultimately pegs an earlier song from the ‘30s, as I recall, to be considered the first rock and roll song…having the needed basic elements. In addition, with no disrespect to Allen Freed, the term “rock and roll” was used by the black community in the early twentieth century as a euphemism for sex! *This is all to the best of my recollection

This sounds like it could be background music for any 50's B monster movie. It really does groove however. I am glad you found this.

You look stunning Kel's STUNNING... BTW i remember a time when the stereo only went to 10 when we got 12 we thought it was amazing then 15 was like OMG....

Hi from California. Emerson Lake and Palmer live Montreux jazz festival 1997 Tarkus or Pictures at or medley part 2✌🏼❤️

Sister Rosetta Tharpe - The Best Of Vol 1

It's interesting that it has a sax and keyboard solo. I wonder when they vanished and guitars completely took over.

Compression is a formula that we use to enhance the listening pleasure

Great to see you guys back in the driver's seat enjoying the ride. 🤘🤘check out the first lady of rock big mama thornton doing hound dog from 1952 I believe.

Welcome back. Please react to Death without Judgement please

Big Joe Turner - Shake Rattle And Roll was the first, as I see it

Here are the answers to your 3 questions Kel 😃 1. First Rock song - The Kinks -- You Really Got Me Dave Davies created the distorted guitar sound by taking a razor blade to the cone of his amplifier, before amps could make that sound, which then led to Jim Marshall building an amp to do that deliberately and a legend was born. 2. First Metal song - Black Sabbath -- Black Sabbath. Easy. 3. Why the scream and growl style of vocals - Iain Gillan of Deep Purple. He did that first, and you know us boys, monkey see monkey do lol.

I don't think that you can ever pinpoint when the first rock song happened. Too many influences from various genres. You can try to define styles and decades. But they can overlap.

This sounds to me like boogie woogie with a different arrangement. I'm not sure I'd call it rock and roll but I sure do like it.

Never heard it before

Hey Kel n Rich great song. Another group of artists you both should check out are Howlin Wolf, Willie Dixon and Muddy Waters. R&B greats. a great song to check out is Smokestack Lightning by Howlin wolf. They influenced Elvis, The Rolling Stones and many others.

The mother of Rock is Sister Rosetta Tharpe. There was no one before her.

First Like!!!

I love old blues. Like Kel, I was curious to hear rock's roots. I started collecting blues compilation CDs and really enjoyed them. What's great is hearing a song that's a modern hit in it's original version. I always thought the first rock song was Dust My Broom. It was written by Robert Johnson and then redone by Elmore James. The Elmore James version is one of the most ripped off songs ever. Other artists from the era you should check out besides James are Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson, Blind Lemon Jefferson and Memphis Minnie.

Rocket 88, Ike

*toccata* 👍

Louis Jordan should be considered the real father of rock and roll

If Goree Carter came out in 1949 and Elvis came out in 1954, what the heck were the people doing in those 5 years. Was the Big Band Era still popular. Or was every promoter waiting for the white rock star.

Possibly influenced Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, Lil Richard, etc.

RocknRoll can be traced back to the songs of Stephen Foster, way back in the 1800s. Old Black Joe, or Swanne River, are two prime examples. Personally I would go with Hank Williams Move It Over

Boogie Woogie

Scream and growl... whoever thought that was a good idea was clearly out of creative ideas. There's a point at which the expression of "rage" just becomes an idiot yelling his head off impotently. It says you've run out of the ability to actually articulate any rage you might have had and have resorted to... sounding like an idiot. As for scream-o extreme-o... if you really do like the sound of the above, only as expressed by a toddler having a meltdown, great!. Now... the subject of the first rock song... this has to be it! The funny thing is, the producer and engineer must have been horrified at the distorted guitar sound, thinking there must be something wrong with the amp. Most likely it just had to be cranked up to distortion levels just to be heard over the rest of the instruments. I did have an Atlantic Records compilation of their catalogue from the late 40's to the late 70's and it featured a blues musician from 1948 or -9 who had also distorted his amp. It had just guitar bass and drums, so it was a bit more "pure" rock in a way. The distortion tone was absolutely delicious!

He sounds a lot like Chuck Berry.

except for the guitar licks, it kinda' has a little jazz influence.

Hey Guys!!! MY Question is, where did/does the "Roll" come into play? I GET that "Rocking" can refer to your Body, Rocking Back & Forth to the Rhythm, but I've never seen a Long-Haired Guy in Leather, ...EVER..., "ROLL"!!! (Except Rolling on the Floor Drunk, but...) Hmmmmmm.... Your Thoughts???

Charlie Christian.

Then again the work gone by Les PAUL CLEARLY INFLUENCED Cliff Gallup of Gene Vincent's original Bluecaps

Chuck Berry stole from this man!!!!!!!

Excuse me the original metal band is black sabbath learn it if you want to claim your creditionals learn your true music history

Welcome back guys. ❤️

Thank you so much for this, Kel! Another channel I sub to stated they were going to do something similar, but it’s been totally haphazard. You are doing it the right way. That beat and guitar pattern are totally familiar to me from the 50’s and songs like Rock Around the Clock and Gimme That Rock and Roll Music. This will be fun! 🤗