From:   "Dik de Heer" 
Date:  Thu Aug 15, 2002  1:17 am
Subject:  Born To Be With You : Jackie Brenston
 
JACKIE BRENSTON (By Shaun Mather)

Born 15 August 1930, Clarksdale, Mississippi
Died 15 December 1979, Memphis, Tennessee

Vocalist / saxophonist.
One of the great debates in rock music is which was the first rock 'n' roll
record. There's even been a book on the subject. Whether or not Rocket 88
by Jackie Brenston & his Delta Cats is the first or not, it's one hell of a
fine record that has stood the test of time, amazing when you consider the
mishaps and twists and turns that went into its making. It has all the
hallmarks of a rock 'n' roll record, with its throbbing bass line, honking
sax, distorted guitar and women-and-car lyrics, all sang with youthful
abandon. The backing comes courtesy of Ike Turner and his Kings of Rhythm,
and their dirty groove was committed to wax by record industry newcomer Sam
Phillips at his newish Sun Recording Service in Memphis. Released on the
Chess Record label it went all the way to the top of the r'n'b charts where
it stayed for a month.

Follow-up attempts weren't as successful despite some great efforts. Real
Gone Rocket is another solid number right out of the Rocket 88 bag, its
similarity lying only in the music, not the chart success. By 1955 his own
career seemed over and he was back working for Turner's Kings of Rhythm on
sax, staying with him until 1962. There were some solo ventures in between
including Gonna Wait for My Chance and Much Later for Federal in 1956,
You've Got to Lose for Cobra in 1958 and You Ain't the One for Sue in 1961.
At Cobra he did some session work behind Otis Rush and Buddy Guy. His final
single came out on Mel-Lon but was soon back driving a truck, forgotten when
things could have been so different. He died hopelessly back in Memphis,
the town where he'd made history thirty years before.

Recommended listening:
Rocket 88 - Charly (vinyl)