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I recommend the book from where the list originates. Now, arguing that Rocket88 was the first R'n'R record, is to repeat conventional wisdom, uninteresting. More intriguing (if nothing else) was Selvin's assertion that Haley's version of the tune should be considered as first. I don't think I've heard it.

And Selvin's comment RE: Rip It Up by Haley? I've heard it, I know, but don't recall it. Sure, Presley's version too is "better" than Little Richard's, but the same can be said of Presley's cover of the Drifters Money Honey! Except that the originals of both songs swing like crazy, and with much softer sound - quite magically so, I say, while Elvis pretty much vulgarized both.

I agree with your rant, by the way. The way I hear it, rock'n'roll was inevitable in the early 50s and would have happened if there had been only Luis Jordan, Howlin Wolf and Leiber/Stoller!

I've heard both the original "Rocket 88" and Bill Haley's cover. I may have even heard Haley's cover first, on a 2 record "bootleg" picture disc of hot rod songs compiled by Robert Williams, the artist (not Robin Williams the comedian). Possibly also worth mentioning is the "answer song"/parody/rip off "Rocket 69". The Rocket 88 may have been a factory made car but Rocket 69 hints at something bit more off color.

There is a progression there but not as dramatic as the difference between the versions of "Train Kept A Rollin'" by Tiny Bradshaw (jump blues) and the Johnny Burnette Trio (which established the fuzzed out arrangement that everyone later copied even if they thought they were just covering the Yardbirds).

Rock and roll, (especially early rock and roll) was/is not "genteel". Something had changed...

gen·teel ( P ) Pronunciation Key (jn-tl) adj.
1. Refined in manner; well-bred and polite.
2. Free from vulgarity or rudeness.
3. Elegantly stylish: genteel manners and appearance.
4.
- a. Striving to convey a manner or appearance of refinement and respectability. See Synonyms at polite.
- b. Marked by affected and somewhat prudish refinement.