Jackie Brenston (Clarksdale, Mississippi, 15 August 1930 – 15 December 197… Read Full Bio ↴Jackie Brenston (Clarksdale, Mississippi, 15 August 1930 – 15 December 1979) was an American rhythm & blues singer, saxophonist and songwriter who recorded, with Ike Turner's band, the first version of the proto-rock and roll song “Rocket 88”.
Returning to Clarksdale from army service in 1947, Brenston learned to play the tenor saxophone, linking up with Ike Turner in 1950 as sax player and occasional singer in his band. The local success of Ike Turner & The Kings of Rhythm prompted B.B. King to recommend them to studio owner Sam Phillips in Memphis, where the band made several recordings in early March 1951, including “Rocket 88” on which Brenston sang lead and which he was credited with writing.
Phillips passed the recordings on to Chess Records in Chicago, who released "Rocket 88" as by "Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats", rather than under Turner’s name. The record soon reached # 1 on the R&B charts. Because of its theme, sound, success and influence across different markets, it has often been suggested as the first rock and roll record, although there are numerous other candidates. Phillips used the success of the record to start Sun Records the following year.
After one further recording session, Brenston and Turner parted company, and Brenston went on to perform in Lowell Fulson’s band for two years. He returned to play in Turner’s band from 1955 to 1962. Although he occasionally sang with the band, Turner apparently forbade him from singing “Rocket 88”.
By now an alcoholic, Brenston continued playing in local bands. After a final recording session with Earl Hooker in 1963, he worked occasionally as a truck driver before a fatal heart attack at the age of 49.
Returning to Clarksdale from army service in 1947, Brenston learned to play the tenor saxophone, linking up with Ike Turner in 1950 as sax player and occasional singer in his band. The local success of Ike Turner & The Kings of Rhythm prompted B.B. King to recommend them to studio owner Sam Phillips in Memphis, where the band made several recordings in early March 1951, including “Rocket 88” on which Brenston sang lead and which he was credited with writing.
Phillips passed the recordings on to Chess Records in Chicago, who released "Rocket 88" as by "Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats", rather than under Turner’s name. The record soon reached # 1 on the R&B charts. Because of its theme, sound, success and influence across different markets, it has often been suggested as the first rock and roll record, although there are numerous other candidates. Phillips used the success of the record to start Sun Records the following year.
After one further recording session, Brenston and Turner parted company, and Brenston went on to perform in Lowell Fulson’s band for two years. He returned to play in Turner’s band from 1955 to 1962. Although he occasionally sang with the band, Turner apparently forbade him from singing “Rocket 88”.
By now an alcoholic, Brenston continued playing in local bands. After a final recording session with Earl Hooker in 1963, he worked occasionally as a truck driver before a fatal heart attack at the age of 49.
In My Real Gone Rocket
Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats:
Rocket You may have heard of jalopies You've heard the noise they…
Rocket "88" You may have heard of jalopies You've heard the noise they…
Rocket '88 You may have heard of jalopies You've heard the noise they…
Rocket '88' You may have heard of jalopies You've heard the noise they…
Rocket 88 You may have heard of jalopies You've heard the noise they…
Rocket ‘88’ You may have heard of jalopies You've heard the noise they…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
More Genres
No Artists Found
More Artists
Load All
No Albums Found
More Albums
Load All
No Tracks Found
Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Search results not found
Song not found
@secondaryemail6564
Such a hidden gem, playing this coming into 2021
@elvispresley2021
Ya gotta Love the sound that came out of that little place. Cant be recreated
@Robert-rr7kw
The energy level just gets raised and raised and raised!!
@Robert-rr7kw
Maybe if young kids today knew this song they wouldn't be so influenced by rap music.
Before youth is so at a disadvantage only listening to an electronic beat ---as I'm a drummer and you can pound the daylights out of this song on the drums.
@Robert-rr7kw
People like Jimmy Page and Robert Plant knew this song and when they were 24 playing this thing called rock and roll they didn't sound like little boys such as bands like Weezer who are now in their 40s and their musical style makes them seem like they're still 16- years - old as they portray their music.
When Robert Plant was singing rock and blues at 24 he did not sound like a little boy. He sounded like a man and was treated as such .
@Robert-rr7kw
" With my real gone rocket / 1960 COMET ...and my brain is like a sieve ." ..lol