Active Artists
From: http://www.nysun.com/arts/who-really-invented-rock-n-roll/2037/
If you want to trace the roots and branches of rock ‘n’ roll just study the Billboard charts of bestselling single records.
The no. 2 record of 1950 was Fats Domino’s “The Fat Man.” And the no. 3 was “Long Gone Lonesome Blues” by Hank Williams, who wrote his own songs.
The no. 2 record of 1951 was “Rocket 88” by Jackie Brenston, produced for Chess Records by Ike Turner. It is about a new car and considered the first rock ‘n’ roll hit by most experts.
The no. 4 record of 1952 was “Lawdy Miss Clawdy,” by the 17-year-old Lloyd Price. Elvis would later record this song twice.
The no. 2 record of 1953 was “Your Cheating Heart” by Hank Williams. The no. 3 record was “Hound Dog” by Big Mama Thornton. The no. 4 record was “Shake a Hand” by Faye Adams, which Bruce Springsteen performed for years.
The no. 1 record of 1954 was “Hoochie Coochie Man” by Muddy Waters. The no.5 record was “Shake Rattle and Roll” by Big Joe Turner.
The no. 1 record of 1955 was “Tweedle Dee” by Lavern Baker. The no. 3 record was “I Got a Woman,” by Ray Charles. The no. 6 record was “I’m a Man” by Bo Diddley. And the number 10 record was “Baby, Let’s Play House” by Elvis Presley. This was the year rock ‘n’ roll took over teen culture.
In 1956 Presley had the fourth best-selling single, “Heartbreak Hotel,” which was behind the no. 2, “Why do Fools Fall in Love,” by Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers. The no. 11 song that year was “Hound Dog” by Presley. This was his cover of Big Mama Thornton’s original.
Louie Armstrong
Willie Dixon
Muddy Waters
Chuck Berry