The First Rock and Roll Song

It is hard to say which song or record was the first actual piece of Rock and Roll. Some folks (including myself) argue Rolling Stone couldn’t have been more wrong when they claimed Elvis Presley’s “That’s All Right Momma” was the first Rock and Roll track. Elvis himself recognized that he was by no means the creator of the style he would come to represent to white audiences, and he argued “A lot of people seem to think I started this business, but rock 'n' roll was here a long time before I came along. Nobody can sing that kind of music like colored people. Let's face it: I can't sing like Fats Domino can. I know that.”

The phrase “Rock and Roll” was used as far back as 1916, when the discount record label Little Wonder released a track by an unnamed vocal quartet titled "The Camp Meeting Jubilee.” Take a listen.




Others argue Sister Rosetta Tharpe’s “Strange Things Happening Everyday” was the first Rock and Roll creation. Hear for yourself.




I feel that if there was a specific track that could be called the first Rock and Roll record, I would apply the honor to Roy Brown’s “Good Rockin’ Tonight.” A true gem of a song, and worthy of the praise it receives.


So where did Rock and Roll officially begin? Provide us with the track and artists that you think kick started the whole thing in the comments section.