>If you say Chuck Berry, you have to go one step back and say T-bone
>Walker, who spawned not only CB but all of them guitar heroes like BB
>King and Albert and Freddie.
>Joe Gracey
Or, you could say Louis Jordan, who may qualify as the 20th Century's most
influential performer that most people tend to forget. His impact in the
black community was especially remarkable, and the list of performers who
consider him a PRIMARY influence include: Ray Charles, Chuck Berry, BB King,
James Brown, and Nat Cole. I believe he had 17 number one hits between 1947
and the birth of rock 'n' roll, and it was his misfortune to be black at a
time when blacks were rarely able to translate their influence into dollars
and cents. Louis Jordan is THE link between the swing music of the '30's and
the rock 'n' roll of the '50's. Was it jazz? Was it R&B? Was it really just
rock 'n' roll? Whatever you wanna call it, his jumpin music has stood the
test of time even if his name hasn't.
Lance . . .
