“Good Rockin’ Tonight”/”Good Morning, Mr. Blues” by Wynonie Harris, 1948

File — Box: 1, disc: 1

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

The 78 RPM records in this collection are of unknown provenance and were selected for addition to the Archives for their rarity. They highlight early hits in rock and roll music, such as "Sixty Minute Man" by the Dominoes and "Rocket 88" by Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats, both of which are considered contenders for the first rock and roll record ever recorded. Each record has a four-digit number attached. These are catalog numbers, which were used both to track sales through distributors and for in-house accounting.

Dates

Creation: 1948

Creator

From the Collection: Dominoes (Musical group : U.S.) (Organization)
From the Collection: Harris, Wynonie, 1915-1969 (Person)
From the Collection: Brenston, Jackie, 1930-1979 (Person)
From the Collection: Brown, Roy, 1925-1981 (Person)
From the Collection: Thornton, Big Mama (Person)
From the Collection: Delta Cats (Musical Group) (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is restricted due to material fragility. Access requires permission from the Berklee Archives Associate Director.

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Additional Description

Released by King Records (4210)

Considered one of the forerunners of rock and roll, Wynonie Harris was nicknamed Mr. Blues; artists such as Elvis Presley were influenced by his vocal style and physical movements. Harris’ cover of Roy Brown’s “Good Rockin’ Tonight” hit number one on the U.S. R&B/Race charts when it was released in 1948.