Rocket 88
Ike Turner & His Kings of Rhythm (1951) — A Broken Amp and the Birth of Rock and Roll
This March 1951 recording of “Rocket 88” is one of the most pivotal tracks in music history, frequently cited as a definitive contender for the first rock and roll record. Although released under the moniker Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats, the instrumentation, arrangement, and foundational rhythmic engine belonged entirely to Ike Turner and his Kings of Rhythm. The track was recorded at the legendary Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, and quickly became a massive national hit.
Turner’s contribution, specifically the distorted tone achieved by guitarist Willie Kizart (reportedly due to a broken amplifier speaker cone stuffed with paper), created an iconic, raw sound that immediately influenced countless blues and rock guitarists who followed. Turner’s arrangement and piano playing on this piece cement his role not just as a bandleader, but as a key architect in the evolution of R&B into rock and roll. This single recording captured the sound of music’s future and provided the template for Sun Studio’s subsequent rise to fame.
Performance Details
| Song Title | Rocket 88 |
|---|---|
| Guitarist | Ike Turner |
| Band | Ike Turner & His Kings of Rhythm (Released as Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats) |
| Lineup | Jackie Brenston (Vocals), Ike Turner (Piano), Willie Kizart (Guitar), Raymond Hill (Sax), Jesse Knight (Bass), Fred Thorton (Drums) |
| Event | Studio Recording |
| Venue | Sun Studio |
| Location | Memphis, Tennessee |
| Date | March 1, 1951 |