Big Joe Turner was born in 1911 in Kansas City, Missouri. He grew up singing in his church choir as a child, and became known as a singing bartender later in life. John Hammond, a renowned jazz critic, discovered Turner and was impressed with his deep baritone voice. Turner’s big break was being involved in the Spirituals to Swing concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City in 1938. After that, became a popular attraction singing with boogie-woogie piano accompaniment in New York City nightclubs. Turner recorded a top-selling single called Chains of Love in 1951. Some of Turner’s follow-up singles were recorded by upcoming white rock n’ roll musicians, most notably Bill Haley. These songs included Shake, Rattle and Roll and Flip, Flop and Fly. Joe was featured in several films including the documentary Last of the Blue Devils in 1979. Turner died of heart failure in 1985 at the age of 74, and he had been suffering from arthritis, diabetes, and a stroke. We recommend starting your big Joe Turner vinyl collection with the excellent Big Joe Rides Again. Our inventory is usually changing, so check back often, or browse our list of vinyl from blues musicians.
