R&B: 1942 - 1954

Genres of Interest (Research):

1. Blues: Chicago and Mississippi Delta
2. Cool Jazz
3. Country & Western
4. Delta Blues (See a Robert Johnson biography)
5. Gospel (See a Sister Rosetta Tharpe biography)
6. Jazz Influences on R&B (1950s)
7. Jump Blues, Jazz and Big Band

The cradle of Rhythm and Blues is the Mississippi Delta region. Music pioneers from three cities greatly influenced the development of the R&B genre: Chicago, Memphis, and New Orleans.

It should be noted that during the late 1940s, AM radio and live performances were the main methods for music to be heard throughout the country. Regional music was very common. Regional music remained popular until television became available to most Americans, in the later 1950s.

One early country & western artist, Jimmy Ballard, recorded this two-sided hit - an early attempt by a C&W artist to sing rock & roll. Jimmy Ballard - (King 45-1118 1952) I Want a Bowlegged Woman / Something She's Got

In addition, many C&W artists performed at the famous Louisiana Hayride in Shreveport, Louisiana. Elvis Presley sang at the Hayride in 1954; the rest is rock & roll history!

A fusing of big band, jazz, and blues led to a style called Jump Blues. The performers (called blues shouters) were often shouting rather then singing, and often their stage antics were wild. Some of the popular artists during the later 1940s and early 1950s were:

• Archibald
• Big Joe Turner
• Champion Jack Dupree
• Earl Connelly King (Philadelphia)
• Louis Jordan
• Roy Brown
• Wynonie Harris

R&B to Rock 'n' Roll: 1955 and Beyond

Little Richard

It is important to note that New Orleans was the birthplace for numerous R&B singles that are not part of the orchestrated "New Orleans Sound" popularized by Allen Toussaint or Wardell Quezerque during the 1960s. New Orleans music ranged from Lightnin' Slim's harmonica swamp blues, to Dave Bartholomew's R&B, followed by Little Richard's list of hits recorded in New Orleans at Cosimo's Studio, including:

• Little Richard - (Specialty 579 1955) Ready Teddy / Rip it Up
• Little Richard - (Specialty 584 1956) Heebie Jeebies
• Little Richard - (Specialty 591 1956) The Girl Can't Help It
• Little Richard - (Specialty 561 1955) Tutti Frutti
• Little Richard - (Specialty 572 1956) Long Tall Sally / Slippin' And Slidin'

Little Richard is Richard Wayne Penniman, born December 5, 1932, in Macon, Georgia. Little Richard's music was a bridge from the somewhat predictable 1950s rhythms of Dave Bartholomew, Smiley Lewis, Bobby Mitchell, Tommy Ridgley, early Fats Domino Rhythm & Blues, to the sounds of the 1960s Rock & Roll in New Orleans. The "Tutti Frutti" record was a milestone that broke all racial barriers in New Orleans. It cannot be emphasized enough as to just how important Little Richard's hit records were to the development of the New Orleans Sound to follow in the 1960s.

Although Little Richard recorded both before and after the New Orleans sessions, the list of his hit songs are all from the recording sessions in New Orleans. Earl Palmer (session drummer at Cosimo's Studio in New Orleans) later moved to Los Angeles, California with other Louisiana artists / ex-patriots. During the 1950s and 1960s difficult economic times were felt throughout Louisiana. It was tough to make any living in the music business in Louisiana. A short list of artists / ex-patriots who moved to the West Coast include Jewel King, Larry Williams, and Earl Palmer.

New Orleans R&B music pioneers include: Bobby Mitchell, Dave Bartholomew, Earl King, Fats Domino, Guitar Slim, Huey Smith, James "Sugar Boy" Crawford, Little Richard, Lloyd Price, Professor Longhair, and Ray Charles. Although not born in New Orleans, Ray Charles recorded in New Orleans (Atlantic label) until 1955. Although Little Richard was born in Georgia, his most successful commercial hits were recorded at Cosimo's Studio in New Orleans. New Orleans session musicians recorded with Little Richard on his Specialty label blockbuster hits.

Memphis

Memphis R&B music pioneers include: BB King, Bobby Bland, Ike Turner, Johnny Ace, Junior Parker, Roscoe Gordon, and the Beale Streeters. The Beale Streeters were a loosely knit band with members who came and went, as their solo careers took precedence.

Chicago

Chicago blues was a major influence for many young R&B artists. Legendary Mississippi Delta blues performers who influenced R&B include:

• Charley Patton
• Robert Johnson
• BB King
• Howlin' Wolf
• Little Walter
• Muddy Waters

Trends

Popular trends fueling the production of R&B music:

1. Radio, as a source for popular music
2. Post World War II optimism
3. Dwindling interest in 1940s big-band music
4. Popularity of regional music
5. Foresight of a few band leaders who sought black artists to encourage
6. Foresight of a few businessmen to startup independent record companies
7. The debut of the Billboard R&B chart named Harlem Hit Parade - October 24, 1942
8. Optimism about a post-Korean War (1950-1953) economy
9. Technology advances - portable tape recorders introduced in 1952.

With U.S. troops returning from the Korean War, R&B and Rock & Roll music exploded with popularity. Teenagers who left to serve in the U.S. Army were returning as men. These young men, and the baby boomers coming of age behind them, demanded R&B music. Generally, 1955 marks the beginning for the Rock & Roll years.

Next page ..... Origin of Rhythm and Blues (Part 3)

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