This week we take a listen to Wynonie Harris’ 1948 hit, “Good Rockin’ Tonight.” I believe this song is the first to use “rock” as a term for listening to music, and not just as a code for sex. The song was originally recorded and written by Roy Brown, but that version was a bit slower. Elvis released his version of the song, and many believe that Presley probably saw Wynonie Harris perform in Memphis, since they have some similar styles.
It is not hard to see how this music influenced Elvis and the rest of early rock ‘n roll.
