Rocket 88

song

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July 19, 2026

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"Rocket 88" is a song recorded by Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats, released in 1951. It is often cited as one of the first rock and roll records. The song was recorded by Sam Phillips at his Memphis Recording Service, which later became Sun Records.12

The song's significance lies in its blend of rhythm and blues with a raw, energetic sound that helped define early rock and roll. Its release predated Elvis Presley's first recordings with Sun Records, but it laid crucial groundwork for the emerging genre.21

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Ike Turner
Their first recording, “Rocket 88”—made at Sam Phillips’s Memphis (Tennessee) Recording Service but released on the Chess label—was a number one rhythm-and-blues hit in 1951, though it was credited to saxophonist Jackie Brenston (who provided the lead vocal) and the Delta Cats. After Brenston’s departure, Ike served as…
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Their first recording, “Rocket 88”—made at Sam Phillips’s Memphis (Tennessee) Recording Service but released on the Chess label—was a number one rhythm-and-blues hit in 1951, though it was credited to saxophonist Jackie Brenston (who provided the lead vocal) and the Delta Cats. After Brenston’s departure, Ike served as…
Read More