Chuck Berry recorded Roll Over Beethoven in 1956 with Chess Records.
We'd have been fine without Elvis and Sun Records.
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One of my favourite podcasts is A History Of Rock Music In Five Hundred Songs https://500songs.com - it emphasises over and over, with played examples, that there isn't a clear first anything. Sun did get three or four episodes, though - it was extremely important.
I also like Alan Cross’ Ongoing History of New Music. He’s been making episodes since 1993.
I can't agree more, The Ongoing History of New Music is required listening for anyone who likes music. This show (and podcast) are amazing.
Thanks for the rec! Hadn't heard of this one but just queued up several episodes. Sounds like something I'd definitely enjoy.
My biggest peeve when I visited Memphis. My wife went to Graceland, which I was excited to avoid. A couple buddies and I went to Sun Records for a tour.
So many black rock pioneers recorded there and they got about 10 minutes of lip service. The whole rest of the hour was dedicated to Elvis. I left a bit early when I realized they were sticking with Elvis the whole time.
Now, the Lorraine Motel - that is a tour I feel like everyone should experience.
Agreed and I want to highlight this comment. Skip everything else and go straight to the Lorraine Motel / National Civil Rights Museum. It's basically the opposite of a waste of time. For those that don't know this is where MLK was murdered and is now a museum / memorial.
the lorraine is excellent. the end where he got shot was so powerful.
And Chuck credited a lot of his sound to Sister Rosetta Tharpe
In a weird coincidence, I just watched a video of her performing "Didn't it Rain?" a few days ago. Had heard of her but hadn't heard her until then.
that ignores all the black artists that sam phillips recorded before elvis.
> Phillips regretted bailing on black music. Sun artist Rufus Thomas recalled, “Me and Sam Phillips, we were tighter than the nuts on the Brooklyn Bridge, but when Elvis and Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash came along, no more blacks did he pick up at all.”
The article did address this a bit, but I still agree with the spirit of this comment thread that too often when the beginning of rock 'n' roll is discussed the absolutely critical role black artists played in creating it is ignored/dismissed.