World's First Rock-and-Roll Song Identified

"That's All Right Mama" by Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup is the world's oldest rock and roll song, according to Southeastern Louisiana University rock historian Joseph Burns, who also thinks this song could contain the first ever guitar solo break.

Burns hosts the weekly radio program "Rock School." He gives Crudup the nod because "That's All Right Mama" was the first song to contain all of the elements that he says are associated with rock and roll:

    * It's music that draws heavily from blues and country in a hit form that's often danceable.
    * There should be hints of jazz, gospel or folk influence.
    * There should also be some technology influence.
"It's a lot to ask of one song," he said. "Few fit the bill."

Candidates he and others have considered for the honor include "How High the Moon" by Les Paul and Mary Ford; "The Honey Dripper" by Joe Liggens; "Boogie Chllen'" by John Lee Hooker; "Saturday Night Fish Fry" by Louis Jordan; "The Fat Man" by Fats Domino; "(We're Gonna) Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley and the Comets; and "Rocket 88" by Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats.

"An argument can be made for and against every song mentioned," he said before adding "That's All Right Mama" is a better fit than all of the other tunes.

This song came out in September 1946 as a rockabilly piece with a blues melody line over top.



"It's sung with power, may contain the first guitar solo break, and, as a remake, became one of Elvis' first singles," Burns said.

The origin of the term "rock 'n' roll" is straightforward, he believes.

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