Rocket "88“ (1951)

Rocket "88" was Ike’s first recording and is considered as a contender for the first „Rock & Roll“ song. The record sold approximately half a million copies and was the second best selling single in 1951, but Ike was only paid $20 for it. The producer Sam Phillips sold it to Chess Records in Chicago and released it under the name „Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats“. The track was in fact written by Ike Turner, who also played piano. Jackie Brenston was the saxophone player of the „Kings of Rhythm“ and did the lead vocals on both tracks. The song is a hymn of praise to the joys of the Oldsmobile "Rocket 88" automobile which had recently been introduced.

Producer: Sam Phillips
Release: April 1951
Label: Chess
Format: 7“ Vinyl
Charts: USA: #1 (r&b)