rhythm and blues: References & Edit History

Arnold Shaw, Honkers and Shouters: The Golden Years of Rhythm and Blues (1978, reissued 1986), presents an intermittently accurate portrait of the origins and development of rhythm and blues. Jerry Wexler and David Ritz, Rhythm and the Blues: A Life in American Music (1993), the autobiography of legendary producer Wexler, contains many insightful anecdotes about the early years of rhythm and blues. Charlie Gillett, Making Tracks: Atlantic Records and the Growth of a Multi-Billion-Dollar Industry (1974, reissued as Making Tracks: The Story of Atlantic Records, 1993), covers the history of Atlantic Records. Johnny Otis, Listen to the Lambs (1968), is the self-serving but fascinating autobiography of Los Angeles rhythm-and-blues kingpin Otis. Ray Charles and David Ritz, Brother Ray: Ray Charles’ Own Story (1978, reissued 1992), is the autobiography of a major transitional artist.

• Cecil Gant, “I Wonder” (1944)
• Louis Jordan, “Caldonia” (1945)
• Joe Liggins, “The Honeydripper” (1945)
• Roy Milton and His Solid Senders, “Milton’s Boogie” (1945)
• Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers, “Drifting Blues” (1946)
• Roy Brown, “Good Rockin’ Tonight” (1947)
• Camille Howard, “X-Temperaneous Boogie” (1947)
• Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers, “Merry Christmas, Baby” (1947)
• T Bone Walker, “Call It Stormy Monday” (1947)
• Lonnie Johnson, “Tomorrow Night” (1948)
• Amos Milburn, “Chicken-Shack Boogie” (1948)
• Louis Jordan, “Saturday Night Fish Fry” (1949)
• Professor Longhair, “Mardi Gras in New Orleans” (1949)
• Roy Milton and His Solid Senders, “The Hucklebuck” (1949)
• Fats Domino, “The Fat Man” (1950)
• Lowell Fulson, “Every Day I Have the Blues” (1950)
• Ivory Joe Hunter, “I Almost Lost My Mind” (1950)
• Joe Liggins, “Pink Champagne” (1950)
• Percy Mayfield, “Please Send Me Someone to Love” (1950)
• Johnny Otis Quintette, “Double Crossing Blues” (1950)
• Tiny Bradshaw, “The Train Kept Rollin’ ” (1951)
• Jackie Brenston, “Rocket ‘88’ ” (1951)
• Floyd Dixon, “Telephone Blues” (1951)
• Big Maybelle, “Gabbin’ Blues” (1952)
• Willie Mae (“Big Mama”) Thornton, “Hound Dog” (1953)
• Big Joe Turner, “Shake, Rattle and Roll” (1954)
• Ray Charles, “I’ve Got a Woman” (1955)