Big Joe Turner was a blues shouter from Kansas City, Mo., who stood at 6-foot 2, weighed 300 pounds and was fundamental to the development of rock 'n' roll. He was the first to record Shake, Rattle and Roll in 1954. The "Big" was added to distinguish him from the already famous Joe Turner, a stride pianist who was born in 1907 in Baltimore. Taught to pl…
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