A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs cover image

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

A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs

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Shake, Wattle and Mow by Jesse Stone

Roland Pete was written by the songwriter Jesse Stone, though he was using the name Charles Calhoun because he was a member of ASCAP under his real name. But you can hear that there's a very clear line to Roland Pete. The main difference here is that the backbeat is now stressed almost at the point of parody,. His shake, rattle and mow is a rock and roll song. Seventeen years after Roland Pete, Joe Turner recorded another song which became his most well-known contribution to popular music. Both songs are made up largely floating lyrics but Shake, Wattle and Mool is rock and roll. It was covered by both Bill Haley and Elvis Presley

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