BIG JOE TURNER - Shake Rattle & Roll

The legendary blues shouter Big Joe Turner began his career singing at four years old, working on Kansas City street corners after his father died in a train accident. When he was fourteen he was working in nightclubs, where he was eventually known as The Singing Bartender. In 1936, twenty five year old Turner traveled to New York City, where an appearance with bandleader Benny Goodman opened many opportunities. He had his first hit record in 1945, and his great success continued. In 1954, the song Shake Rattle and Roll transformed Turner's career by making him popular with teenagers. The song was written for him by songwriter/producer Jesse Stone. "Shake rattle and roll" was a favorite saying of Stone's at his weekly poker games, and the lyrics are about  good times and dancing he had there. Also in 1954, Bill Haley & The Comet's covered Turner's song for their follow-up to their hit Rock Around The Clock. The Bill Haley cover cleaned up the lyrics, re-writing some of the more overtly sexual lyrics.