Transcript Big Joe Turner - University of Minnesota

Big Joe Turner
Created by:
Melina Milone
Kyle Beversdorf
John Simons
Born: May 18, 1911
Died: November 24, 1985
Joseph Vernon Turner, “Big Joe Turner,” was
born in Kansas City, MO.
Teen Years
● Began his career in the streets by working for
tips.
● In his early teen years, his father died and
Turner had to leave school.
● Worked as a bartender, a cook and a
bouncer.
● Big Joe Turner began his blues and jazz
singing career as a teenager.
● He sang in beer joints and nightclubs in
Kansas City.
● He often got pointers from more experienced
performers at after hour jam sessions.
● Occasionally toured with regional bands in
the late 1920’s and early 1930’s.
His “BIG” Voice
● Turner had such a booming voice, he didn’t
even need to use any form of amplification.
● He could out-shout an entire band.
● He could be loud, yet still maintain clarity
and control in his voice.
Turner’s Early Career Starts Rolling
● During the early 30s, Turner partnered up
with boogie piano master, Pete Johnson.
● The duo’s playing relationship lasted 13
years.
● They started their partnership by traveling to
NYC, performing at Carnegie Hall.
Carnegie Hall Concert a Success
● Turner and Johnson performed “Low Down
Dog” and “ It’s All Right, Baby”
● The show started a boogie-woogie crazy.
● The show also meant the duo received a
long-term slot at Cafe Society (A famous
nightclub in NYC which showcases African
American talent).
Turner’s Career Advancements
● In the early 40s, during the war years,
Turner moved his career to the West Coast.
● There he signed a record deal with National
Records
● “My Gal’s a Jockey” (1946) was his first
national R&B smash hit.
Turner’s Career Advancements
● By the late 40s, almost all West Coast labels
had at least 1 or 2 Turner songs in their
catalog.
● He began to spark interest by a number of
different record companies and landed with
Atlantic label records.
● Turner recorded for a number of labels
including:
o
o
o
o
o
Decca
National
Aladdin
Freedom
Atlantic
The 50s was a Rolling Decade for Turner
● Hits like “Chains of Love” restored Turner’s
place in the high portion of the R&B charts.
● In 1954, he recorded another hit, probably
his biggest of all, called “Shake, Rattle and
Roll”.
● Now 43, Turner was now a full blown
rockstar.
Follow-Up Hits Solidified Turner’s Appeal
● Later in the 50s, Turner followed his
stardom with hits such as, “Well All Right”,
“Flip,Flop and Fly”, “Hide and Seek”,
Morning, Noon and Night”, and “The
Chicken and the Hawk”.
● All of these hits had a similar impact and
groove as his “Shake, Rattle and Roll” hit.
Turner’s Later Career
● After rock & roll faded in the 60’s, Turner
focused on blues and boogie-woogie again.
● Moved to L.A. and recorded with jazz
legends (Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie, and
Roy Eldridge).
● Schooled a young backup band (the
Blasters).
● Released the album Blues Train in 1983.
Big Joe Turner had a long career. Even at the
age of 72 Turner was releasing successful
music. His blues and jazz sound has become
timeless and outlasted trends from earlier
years.
Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee Doc Pomus
says,
“Rock and Roll would never have
happened without him.”
Awards
● Silver Award for Male Vocalist in All-American Jazz
Band (Esquire Magazine, 1945).
● Best New Male Singer (Down Beat Magazine Critics’
Poll, 1956).
● Top Male Singer (Melody Maker Magazine Critics’ Poll,
1965).
● Best Blues Record (Jazz Journal Poll, 1965).
● Outstanding Achievement Award (Mayor Tom Bradley).
Awards
● Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
● 17 of his singles reached top 10 positions on the US R&B
charts
● 2 of those singles reached #1 (“Honey Hush” 1953 and
“Shake, Rattle and Roll” 1954)
● Shake, Rattle and Roll sits at #127 on Rolling Stone
Magazine's Top 500 songs of all time
References
Big Joe Turner Biography. (n.d.).Musician Guide . Retrieved May 30, 2014, from
http://www.musicianguide.com/biographies/1608000151/Big-Joe-Turner.html
Big Joe Turner Biography . (n.d.). The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame . Retrieved May 30, 2014, from
http://rockhall.com/inductees/big-joe-turner/bio/
Big Joe Turner | Biography | AllMusic. (n.d.). AllMusic. Retrieved June 3, 2014, from http://www.allmusic.com/artist/big-joe-turnermn0000060726/biography