Biography
15 August 1930, Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA, d. 15 December 1979, Memphis, Tennessee, USA. Often credited with making the ‘first’ rock ‘n’ roll record, Brenston’s career quickly reached a peak as a result and then entered a 25-year decline. He had returned from army service in 1947 and learned to play saxophone from local musician Jesse Flowers. Shortly afterwards, he met Ike Turner who was recruiting for his band the Kings Of Rhythm. Their local fame prompted B.B. King to recommend them to Sam Phillips in Memphis. Both Turner and Brenston made singles on 5 March 1951 and both were sold to Chess Records, but it was ‘Rocket 88’ (released under the name Jackie Brenston & His Delta Cats) that became a hit, due in part to the distorted sound of Willie Kizart’s guitar. Subsequent singles, including ‘My Real Gone Rocket’ and ‘Hi-Ho Baby’, failed to reproduce that sound and after two...
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