Shake, Rattle And Roll

by

Big Joe Turner

Album: Big Joe Turner's Greatest Hits      Released: 1951

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Jesse Stone (under the name of Charles Calhoun) wrote this specially for Turner's New York recording session. Big Joe preferred recording on the road - this was the first Big Apple session in 18 months.

"Shake, rattle and roll" was a favorite saying in Stone's weekly poker game. The line, "One-eyed cat peepin' in a seafood store" was supplied by Stone's drummer, Baby Lovett. (thanks, Brad Wind - Miami, FL, for above 2)

This has been covered by Elvis Presley, Huey Lewis and the News, Patsy Cline, Arthur Conley, Bill Haley and his Comets, and The Beatles.

This plays during the closing credits of the 1985 mystery/comedy Clue, a movie based on the board game by Parker Brothers. It is set in the mid-1950s. (thanks, Brett - Edmonton, Canada, for above 2)

In a Rhino Records collection, Turner said: "Everybody was singing slow blues when I was young, and I thought I'd put a beat to it and sing it up-tempo." (thanks, Bertrand - Paris, France)

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Comments:

The line "I'm like a one-eyed cat, peepin' in a sea-food store" has a certain sexual connotation... - Steve, New York, NY
- Steve, New York, NY

This song was released 1954, not 1951.
- Joerg, Frankfurt, Germany

I think some book named this as the very first rock 'n' roll song.
- fyodor, Denver, CO

Turner was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
- Andy, Arlington, VA

Bill Haley & His Comets had their first big hit in 1953 when they recorded "Crazy Man, Crazy" (written by Haley and his bass-player Marshall Lytle but credited to Haley only when released). Their first Decca release, "Rock Around The Clock" (Initially a b-side) was at first not the big hit but their second Decca release, "Shake, Rattle & Roll" went to number seven on the Billboard chart. The continued success for Bill Haley & His Comets in 1954-55 really paved the way for Elvis Presley. Would RCA have been interested in paying a big deal of money for an unknown "hillbilly cat" if they hadn´t been for an answer of Decca´s Bill Haley? "Shake, Rattle & Roll" - I think Rock´n Roll begins here...
- Ake, OSTERSUND, Sweden

There are many versions of this song but Joe Turner's 1954 versin is the greatest.And he was the greatest!
- ALPHONSE DATTOLO, Haledon, NJ

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