What Would Come To Be Known As Rap

Louis Jordan & His Tympani Five

On December 21, 1946, Louis Jordan's single, "Let the Good Times Roll," debuted on the Rhythm and Blues charts. Over the next twenty-two weeks, the recording held fast to the chart, occupying the number two position for four weeks. "Let the Good Times Roll" was paired with the fast paced and humorous "Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens"—a phenomenally popular release that ranked number one for seventeen weeks. Such success was commonplace for Jordan. From 1943 until 1950, his singles topped the R&B chart more than 25% of the time. Fifteen hits crossed over to the pop charts.

He has been called “the Father of Rhythm & Blues” and “the Grandfather of Rock ‘n’ Roll.” In the Forties, bandleader Louis Jordan pioneered a wild - and wildly popular - amalgam of jazz and blues. The swinging shuffle rhythms played by singer/saxophonist Jordan and his Tympany Five got called “jump blues” or “jumpin’ jive,” and it served as a forerunner of rhythm & blues and rock and roll. In fact, it has been plausibly argued that “Saturday Night Fish Fry,” is worthy of consideration as the first rock and roll record, containing many of the genre’s key ingredients: a distorted electric guitar, an early use of the word rocking, party-themed lyrics, and danceable, uptempo music. Similarly, with their breathless, manic spoken delivery, both “Look Out” and “Saturday Night Fish Fry” - released in 1947 and 1949, respectively - can be seen as early examples of what would come to be known as rap.

Music of Louis Jordan & His Tympani Five
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - Louis Jordan
TOP MUSIC CHARTS