Where did Rock ‘n’ Roll come from:

[NiceBlue]

I remember when I was 9, back in 1956, hearing about this thing called “Rock ‘n’ Roll” and wondering where it came from. Well since then I learned that the music called “Rock ‘n’ Roll” existed long before the name did. According to the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History, Leo Mintz, an owner of a record store, started calling Rhythm and Blues records Rock ‘n’ Roll to eliminate the racial tone of the music. (https://case.edu/ech/articles/m/mintz-leo). The term Rhythm & Blues was coined in 1948 to replace the term “Race Music,” which was used to identify music directed toward an African American audience. At the same time there was a disc jockey by the name of Alan Freed working in Akron OH he and Mintz met. In July of 1951 Freed with the help of Mintz started the “Moondog Rock ‘n’ Roll House Party” on WJW-Am in Cleveland Ohio. So, the terms Rock ‘n’ Roll and Rhythm and Blues were both used to try and direct this type of music to more than one racial group by making it more acceptable to white listeners. Now, music performed by and listened to by African Americans (Race Music) has a long history possibly going back to 1619 in America and maybe even before that in Africa. That’s where Rock ‘n’ Roll came from.

Tom,

 

[NovenShade]

You’re absolutely right that the sound existed before the name. Rock ‘n’ Roll grew out of Rhythm & Blues, gospel, blues, and even country influences — all deeply rooted in African American musical traditions.
Figures like Leo Mintz and Alan Freed helped popularize the term in the early 1950s, especially through the “Moondog Rock ‘n’ Roll House Party” in Cleveland. But the musical foundation was built long before that by Black artists whose styles shaped what later became mainstream rock.
So in many ways, Rock ‘n’ Roll didn’t suddenly appear — it evolved, and the name just helped bring it to a wider audience.

 

[Praying Colonel]

There's an excellent podcast called "A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs" that goes, way way back (Episode 1 is "Flying Home" by the Benny Goodman Sextet, a 1939 song). It goes through all the root music discussed above, and then some.

https://500songs.com/podcast/

 

[Micca]

Here's what is widely considered the first Rock 'n Roll record from March 1951. Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats (band also known as Ike Turner's band.

 

[citruscurtis]

Well...missed that trivia question....loved Zemeckis spin on the history of rock and roll

 

[NiceBlue]

An important part of the story of Rock ‘n’ Roll is Congo Square in New Orleans. The owners of enslaved Blacks in early New Orleans were somewhat restricted by the Code Noir which required that these African Americans be given Sundays off to do what they will. They would meet together in a place called Congo Square to play music, string and percussion instruments, that were used in Africa, sing and dance and sell and trade goods. Ted Giaia’s book “The History of Jazz” has a good description of the happenings at Congo Square and the “ring shout” dances held there.

History of Congo Square, 1m12s

Same Story Different Countries 2m7s

Ring Shout 2m55s

The Stick Man may have come about due to laws forbidding enslaved persons from playing drums or other loud instruments for fear on the part of the enslavers that these instruments could be used to communicate rebellion. This was in response to the Stono Rebellion of 1739.

See here: https://iaamuseum.org/event/step-afrika-drumfolk/

Congo Square is now located in New Orleans in Louis Armstrong Park less than 2000 feet along Orleans St. northeast from St. Louis Cathetral.

Thank you for all who have replied so far.

Tom,