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The Influential Early Rockers

A tribute to Fats, Bo, Chuck and Little Richard

Barry Silverstein
Rock On

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L to R: Fats Domino, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Little Richard. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The rock ’n’ roll we came to know and love beginning in the Sixties was largely influenced by early rockers who gained prominence in the Fifties. It is no coincidence that they were all Black artists — because rock had its roots in rhythm and blues, originated by Black musicians in the 1940s. Here are four of the legendary early rockers: Fats Domino, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry and Little Richard.

Fats Domino

New Orleans native and piano player/singer Fats Domino (Antoine Caliste Domino Jr.) recorded “The Fat Man” in December 1949; it was released as a single by Imperial Records and went on to sell more than one million copies. Some regard this rollicking, boogie woogie-style song as possibly the first real rock ’n’ roll record. By 1955, Domino was pumping out legitimate rock hits, including “Ain’t That a Shame,” “Blueberry Hill,” and “Walking to New Orleans.” Said to have sold over 110 million records, Domino was one of the first inductees to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986. Both Elvis Presley and The Beatles said publicly that Fats Domino was an important influence on their music.

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