Big Joe Turner - Rocks (2011)

Big Joe Turner first shouted timeless blues couplets in the Kansas City of the '30s, partnering with stomping pianist Pete Johnson for almost two decades. Together they ignited the boogie-woogie craze that led to the post-war emergence of R&B and ultimately, the revolution that was rock 'n' roll.

This set, compiled by Trevor Cajiao, Editor of Now Dig This, embraces all phases of Joe's career but concentrates, inevitably, on the hard-rocking records which made Joe a rock 'n' roll star and unlikely teen idol at the age of 43. Discs like Honey Hush, Shake, Rattle And Roll (bowdlerised by Bill Haley), Flip, Flop And Fly, Boogie Woogie Country Girl, Teen Age Letter and Lipstick, Powder And Paint were among the most exciting records of the '50s and led to literally hundreds of covers by legions of rockabilly singers.

Jump blues veteran turned rock 'n' roll patriarch, Big Joe Turner out-rocked them all! These immortal rock-till-it-hurts classics inspired an uncountable number of rockabilly covers from Elvis Presley to Jerry Lee Lewis to Shakin' Stevens.

'The quintessential American singer' said Doc Pomus. 'Rock 'n' roll would never have happened without him'.