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

A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs

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John Hammond's Boogie Boog Tour

Pete Johnson was considered one of the greatest exponents of Boogie Boogie style. He played with blues shout-a Big Joe Turner at two important Carnegie Hall concerts in 1938 and 1939. They recorded a track that some say is the first rock and roll record ever. Roland Pete and Pete has been widely credited as being the first boogie song to use a backbeat rather than a shuffle beat.

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