Jackie Brenston

by Bill DahlDetermining the first actual rock & roll record is a truly impossible task. But you cant go too far wrong citing Jackie Brenstons 1951 Chess waxing of Rocket 88, a seminal piece of rocks fascinating history with all the prerequisite elements firmly in place: practically indecipherable lyrics about cars, booze, and women; Raymond Hills booting tenor sax, and a churning, beat-heavy rhythmic bottom. Sam Phillips, then a fledgling in the record business, produced Rocket 88, Brenstons debut waxing, in Memphis. The singer/saxist was backed by Ike Turners Kings of Rhythm, an aggregation that Brenston had joined the previous year. Turner played piano on the tune; Willie Kizart supplied dirty, distorted guitar. Billed as by Jackie Brenston & His Delta Cats, Rocket 88 drove up to the top slot on the R&B charts and remained there for more than a month. But none of his Chess follow-ups sported the same high-octane performance, though Real Gone Rocket was certainly a deserving candidate. Brenstons slide from the spotlight was swift. After a few more Chess singles stiffed (including a duet with Edna McRaney, Hi-Ho Baby), Brenston reunited with Turner in 1955, holding down the baritone sax chair until 1962. He cut a series of terrific sides fronting Turners Kings of Rhythm along the way: Gonna Wait for My Chance and Much Later for Federal in 1956, Youve Got to Lose for Chicagos Cobra label in 1958 (also doing session work there with Otis Rush and Buddy Guy), and You Aint the One for Sue in 1961. After a final single for Mel Londons Mel-Lon imprint, Brenston was through; he worked as a truck driver and showed little interest in reliving his glory years.