Episode 8: “The Fat Man” by Fats Domino

A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
Episode 8: "The Fat Man" by Fats Domino
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Fats Domino

Welcome to episode eight of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs. Today we’re looking at Fats Domino and “The Fat Man”. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a transcript of the episode.

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Episode 7: Wynonie Harris and “Good Rockin’ Tonight”

A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
Episode 7: Wynonie Harris and "Good Rockin' Tonight"
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Wynonie Harris

Welcome to episode seven of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs. Today we’re looking at Wynonie Harris and “Good Rockin’ Tonight”

Continue reading “Episode 7: Wynonie Harris and “Good Rockin’ Tonight””

Episode 3: “Ida Red” by Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys

A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
Episode 3: "Ida Red" by Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys
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Welcome to episode three of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs. Today we’re looking at Bob Wills and “Ida Red”.

Continue reading “Episode 3: “Ida Red” by Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys”

Episode 2: “Roll ‘Em Pete” by Big Joe Turner and Pete Johnson

A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
Episode 2: "Roll 'Em Pete" by Big Joe Turner and Pete Johnson
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Big Joe Turner

Here’s the second episode, on “Roll ‘Em Pete” by Big Joe Turner and Pete Johnson. One erratum before we continue — in the episode, I say that “Shake, Rattle, and Roll” follows a particular formula common in hokum songs. That’s not actually true for the original version — it is true for Bill Haley’s cover version, and Elvis’ and the versions after them, but in Joe Turner’s version the part we now know as the chorus didn’t come in until near the end. Sorry about the mistake.

Continue reading “Episode 2: “Roll ‘Em Pete” by Big Joe Turner and Pete Johnson”