Tag: Lionel Hampton

Episode 41: “Be-Bop-A-Lula” by Gene Vincent and the Bluecaps

A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
Episode 41: "Be-Bop-A-Lula" by Gene Vincent and the Bluecaps
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Gene Vincent

Episode forty-one of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Be-Bop-A-Lula” by Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps, and how Vincent defined for many what a rock and roll star was. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a transcript of the episode.

Patreon backers also have a ten-minute bonus episode available, on “Smokestack Lightning” by Howlin’ Wolf.

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Episode 30: “Bo Diddley” by Bo Diddley

A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
Episode 30: "Bo Diddley" by Bo Diddley
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Bo Diddley

Welcome to episode thirty of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs. This is the last of our three-part look at Chess Records, and focuses on “Bo Diddley” by Bo Diddley. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a transcript of the episode.

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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.

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Episode 1: “Flying Home” by the Benny Goodman Sextet

A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
Episode 1: "Flying Home" by the Benny Goodman Sextet
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An image of Charlie Christian

Welcome to the first episode proper of A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs! As this is the first real episode, you may notice a couple of flaws in the production — those will hopefully get ironed out in the coming weeks. In the meantime, sit back and listen to the story of “Flying Home” by the Benny Goodman Sextet!

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