Rock (1950s)

Johnny Ace (1929–54)

Memorial Album [(1973), MCA], B+

Lee Allen (1926–94)

Walkin' With Mr. Lee [1958, Collectables], B+

Paul Anka (1941– )

30th Anniversary Collection [(1989), Rhino], B
Rock Swings [2005, Verve], C+

LaVern Baker (1929–97)

Soul on Fire: The Best of LaVern Baker [(1991), Atlantic], A–

Hank Ballard (1936– )

Sexy Ways: The Best of Hank Ballard and the Midnighters [(1993), Rhino], B+

Dave Bartholomew (1920– )

The Spirit of New Orleans: The Genius of Dave Bartholomew [1949–62, Capitol, 2 CD], B+

Jesse Belvin (1933–60)

The Blues Baladeer [1952–58, Specialty], B

Chuck Berry (1926– )

His Best, Vol. 1 [1955–58, Chess], A
The Great Twenty-Eight [1955–64, Chess], A+
The Definitive Collection [1955–72, Geffen/Chess/Chronicles], A+
The Chess Box [(1988), Chess, 3 CD], A

The Big Bopper (1930–59)

Hellooo Baby! The Best of the Big Bopper [1954–59, Rhino], B+

Otis Blackwell (1931–2002)

These Are My Songs! [1978, Inner City], B

James Brown (1933–2006)

Think! [1960, Polydor], A–
Live at the Apollo [1963, Polydor], A
The Singles, Volume Two: 1960–1963 [1958–63, Hip-O Select, 2 CD], A–
Foundations of Funk: A Brand New Bag 1964–1969 [1964–69, Polydor, 2 CD], A
Live at the Apollo, Volume 2 [1968, Polydor], A–
Say It Live and Loud: Live in Dallas 08.26.68 [1968, Polydor], A
Gettin' Down to It [1968–69, Verve], B
Soul on Top [1969, Verve], A
Sex Machine [1970, Polydor], A
Funk Power 1970: A Brand New Thang [1970, Polydor], A
The Best of James Brown (The Millennium Collection) [1958–72, Polydor], A
The Payback [1973, Polydor], A–
Hell [1974, Polydor], A–
Love Power Peace: Live at the Olympia, Paris, 1971 [1971, Polydor], B+
Get on the Good Foot [1972, Polydor], B+
In the Jungle Groove [1969–72, Polydor], A+
The CD of JB: Sex Machine and Other Soul Classics [1961–73, Polydor], A
Motherlode [1967–76, Polydor], A–
The Best of James Brown Volume 2: The '70s (20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection) [1970–76, Polydor], A
The Original Disco Man [1979, Polydor], B+
JB40: 40th Anniversary Collection [1956–79, Polydor, 2 CD], A
Soul Syndrome [1980, Rhino], A–
Star Time [1956–84, Polydor, 4 CD], A+

Nappy Brown (1929– )

Night Time Is the Right Time [1954–62, Atlantic/Savoy, 2 CD], B+
I'm a Wild Man [1994, New Moon Music], B

Roy Brown (1925– )

Good Rockin' Tonight: The Best of Roy Brown [1947–57, Rhino], B
The Complete Imperial Recordings [1956–58, Capitol], B+(*)

Ruth Brown (1928–2006)

Miss Rhythm: Greatest Hits and More [1949–60, Atlantic, 2 CD], A

Sonny Burgess (1931– )

We Wanna Boogie [1990, Rounder], B+
w/Dave Alvin: Tennessee Border [1992, Hightone], B

Wynona Carr (1924–76)

Jump Jack Jump! [1955–59, Specialty], B+

The Chantels [1956–1970]

The Best of the Chantels [(1990), Rhino], A–

Ray Charles (1930–2004)

The Early Years [1949–52, King], B+
w/Milt Jackson: Soul Brothers / Soul Meeting [1957–58, Atlantic, 2 CD], B
The Birth of Soul [1951–59, Rhino/Atlantic, 3 CD], A
Genius + Soul = Jazz [1960–61, DCC], B
Berlin, 1962 [1962, Pablo], B+
Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music [1962–63, Rhino], A
Ingredients in a Recipe for Soul [1963, Sandstone], B
Uh Huh: His Greatest Hits [1959–72, Sandstone/DCC, 2 CD], A
The Genius 20 Greatest Hits [(1985), Platinum], A
Friendship [1984–86, Columbia/Legacy], C+
Complete Country and Western Recordings [1959–86, Rhino, 4 CD], B+
Genius & Soul: The 50th Anniversary Collection [1949–93, Rhino, 5 CD], B+
Genius Loves Company [2004, Concord/Hear Music], B
w/The Count Basie Orchestra: Ray Sings, Basie Swings [2006, Concord/Hear Music], B+(*)

The Clovers [1948– ]

Down in the Alley: The Best of the Clovers [(1991), Rhino], A

The Coasters [1956–1972]

50 Coastin' Classics [(1992), Rhino, 2 CD], A+
The Very Best of the Coasters [(1993), Rhino], A+

Eddie Cochran (1938–60)

The Early Years [1956, Ace], B
Legendary Masters [(1972), Capitol], A–

Sam Cooke (1931–64)

Sam Cooke With the Soul Stirrers: His Earliest Recordings [1951–57, Specialty], A–
The Rhythm and the Blues [1961–63, RCA], B
Sam Cooke at the Copa [1964, Abkco], A–
Keep Movin' On [1963–64, Abkco], A–
The Man and His Music [1957–64, RCA], A+
Portrait of a Legend 1951–1964 [1951–64, Abkco], A

Bobby Darin (1936–73)

Splish Splash: The Best of Bobby Darin Volume One [1958–71, Atco], B
Mack the Knife: The Best of Bobby Darin Volume Two [1958–61, Atco], B+
Live From Las Vegas [1963, Capitol], B
The Swinging Side of Bobby Darin [1962–65, Capitol Jazz], A–
The Legendary Bobby Darin [1962–73, Capitol], B+

The Dells [1952– ]

The Best of the Vee-Jay Years [1955–65, Shout! Factory], B+(**)

Sugar Pie DeSanto (1935– )

Down in the Basement [1959–66, Chess], B+
Refined Sugar [2005, Jasman], B+(*)

Bo Diddley (1928– )

Bo Diddley / Go Bo Diddley [1955–58, Chess], A
I'm a Man: The Chess Masters, 1955–1958 [1955–58, Hip-O Select, 2 CD], A–
The Definitive Collection [1955–66, Geffen/Chess], A
The Chess Box [1955–74, Chess, 2 CD], A+

Dion DiMucci (1937– )

Dion Hits [1958–63, Ace], A–
Bronx Blues: The Columbia Recordings (1962–1965) [1962–65, Columbia], A–
The Essential Dion [1961–68, Columbia/Legacy], B+
King of the New York Streets [1958–99, Capitol, 3 CD], B+
Son of Skip James [2007, Verve Forecast], B+(*)

Fats Domino (1928– )

Blues Kingpins [1949–55, Capitol/The Right Stuff], B
My Blue Heaven: The Best of Fats Domino [1949–61, EMI], A+
They Call Me the Fat Man [1949–62, EMI, 4 CD], B+

Lonnie Donegan (1931–2002)

Putting On the Styles [1955–66, Sequel, 3 CD], B

The Drifters [1953– ]

Let the Boogie Roll: The Greatest Hits 1953–1958 [1953–58, Atlantic, 2 CD], A–
All-Time Greatest Hits and More: 1959–1965 [1959–65, Atlantic, 2 CD], A
The Very Best of the Drifters [(1993), Rhino], A+

Willie Egan (1933–2004)

Wow Wow/Rockin' the Blues: The Complete Vita/Mambo Sessions [1955–56, Empire Musicwerks], A–

Esquerita

Capitol Collectors Series [1958–59, Capitol], B

The Everly Brothers [1954–1973]

Cadence Classics: Their 20 Greatest Hits [1957–60, Rhino], A
This Is the Everly Brothers: 16 of Their Greatest Hits [1957–60, Music Club], A–
It's Everly Time! [1960, Collectors' Choice], B+
A Date With the Everly Brothers [1961, Collectors' Choice], B+
The Everly Brothers Sing Great Country Hits [1963, Collectors' Choice], B+
The Very Best of the Everly Brothers [1964, Warner Brothers], A–
Roots [1968, Collectors' Choice], B

The Five Keys

Dream On [1959–60, Charly], B+

The "5" Royales [1952–1965]

Monkey Hips and Rice [1952–62, Rhino, 2 CD], A

The Flamingos [1952– ]

The Best of the Flamingos [1953–61, Rhino], B

Bill Haley (1925–81)

From the Original Master Tapes [1954–56, MCA], A–
The Best of Bill Haley & His Comets (20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection) [1954–56, MCA], A–

Roy Hamilton (1929–69)

Anthology [1953–62, Collectables, 2 CD], B+

Wynonie Harris (1915–69)

Everybody Boogie! [1945, Delmark], A–
Bloodshot Eyes: The Best of Wynonie Harris [1947–54, Rhino], A

Dale Hawkins (1938– )

Oh! Suzy Q: The Best of Dale Hawkins [(1995), Chess], B+

Buddy Holly (1936–59)

From the Original Master Tapes [1956–58, MCA], A
The Definitive Collection [1956–58, Geffen/Decca/Chronicles], A
The Buddy Holly Collection: 50 Classic Recordings [1954–59, MCA, 2 CD], A

Joe Houston

Cornbread and Cabbage Greens [1952–56, Specialty], A–
Blows Crazy! [1951–63, Ace], B+

The Isley Brothers [1954– ]

Shout: The RCA Sessions [1959–60, RCA], B+
The Isley Brothers Story, Vol. 1: Rockin' Soul [1959–68, Rhino], A
Giving It Back [1971, Epic/Legacy], B+
The Best of the Isley Brothers [1969–72, Buddah, 2 LP], A–
3 + 3 [1973, Epic/Legacy], A–
Live It Up [1974, Epic/Legacy], B
The Heat Is On [1975, T-Neck], B+
Go For Your Guns [1977, T-Neck], B
Beautiful Ballads, Volume 2 [1972–85, Epic/Legacy], B+(**)
It's Your Thing: The Story of the Isley Brothers [1959–96, Columbia/Legacy, 3 CD], A–
The Essential Isley Brothers [1959–96, Epic/Legacy, 2 CD], A–
The Definitive Collection [1959–2005, Hip-O], B

Bullmoose Jackson (1919–89)

Badman Jackson That's Me [(1995), Charly], B

Little Willie John (1937–68)

Fever: The Best of Little Willie John [(1993), Rhino], A–

Ella Johnson (1923– )

w/Buddy Johnson: Say Ella [1942–57, Jukebox Lil], B+

Jerry Lee Lewis (1935– )

Original Sun Greatest Hits [1956–63, Rhino], A+
Rare Tracks [1956–63, Rhino], A
Killer Country [1963–77, Mercury], B+
All Killer No Filler: The Jerry Lee Lewis Anthology [1956–80, Rhino, 2 CD], A–
The Definitive Collection [1957–81, Hip-O/Chronicles], A–
Rockin' My Life Away [1989, Tomato], A

Smiley Lewis (1913–66)

I Hear You Knocking: The Best of Smiley Lewis [1950–56, Capitol], B+

Jimmy Liggins (1922–83)

Jimmy Liggins and His Drops of Joy [1947–53, Specialty], A–

Joe Liggins (1915–87)

Joe Liggins and the Honeydrippers [1950–54, Specialty], A

Little Anthony and the Imperials [1958– ]

The Best of Little Anthony and the Imperials [(1989), Rhino], A–

Little Richard (1935– )

18 Greatest Hits [(1985), Rhino], A
The Georgia Peach [(1991), Specialty], A
Shag On Down by the Union Hall, Vol. 2 [1955–64, Specialty], B+
Get Down With It: The Okeh Sessions [1966, Epic/Legacy], B+

Frankie Lymon (1942–68)

The Best of Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers [(1989), Rhino], A

Johnny Maestro

The Best of Johnny Maestro [1958–85, Shout! Factory], B–

Janis Martin (1940– )

The Female Elvis: Complete Recordings 1955–60 [1955–60, Bear Family], B

Big Maybelle (1924–72)

The Last of Big Maybelle [1972, Muse], B+

Percy Mayfield (1920–84)

Poet of the Blues [(1992), Specialty], A

Clyde McPhatter (1932–72)

Deep Sea Ball: The Best of Clyde McPhatter [1956–59, Atlantic], A–
Forgotten Angel [1953–64, 32 Jazz, 2 CD], A–

The Moonglows [1951– ]

Their Greatest Hits: The Chess 50th Anniversary Collection [1954–59, MCA/Chess], A–

Rick Nelson (1940–85)

The Legendary Masters Series, Volume 1 [1957–60, EMI America], A
The Best of Rick Nelson, Volume 2 [1957–62, EMI America], A–
Greatest Hits [1957–72, Capitol], A

Roy Orbison (1936–88)

Lonely and Blue [1960, Monument/Legacy], B
Crying [1962, Monument/Legacy], B
In Dreams [1963, Monument/Legacy], B+(**)
For the Lonely: 18 Greatest Hits [1956–65, Rhino], A
Mystery Girl [1988, Virgin], B
The Essential Roy Orbison [1956–88, Monument/Legacy, 2 CD], B+(**)

Carl Perkins (1932–98)

Original Sun Greatest Hits [1954–57, Rhino], A

Esther Phillps (1935–84)

The Best of Esther Phillips [1962–70, Rhino, 2 CD], A–
Jazz Moods: Hot [1972–75, Epic/Legacy], B+

The Platters [1953– ]

The Very Best of the Platters [(1991), Mercury], A–

Johnny Powers

Long Blond Hair [(1992), Norton], B

Elvis Presley (1935–77)

The Sun Sessions CD [1954–56, RCA], A
w/Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins: The Million Dollar Quartet [1956, RCA], B+
Elvis Presley [1956, RCA], A+
Elvis 56 [1956, RCA], B+
The King of Rock 'n' Roll: The Complete 50's Masters [1953–58, RCA, 5 CD], A–
Elvis Is Back! [1960, RCA], B+
Tiger Man [1968, RCA], A
Memories: The '68 Comeback Special [1968, RCA, 2 CD], B+
Suspicious Minds [1969, RCA, 2 CD], A–
The Top Ten Hits [1956–72, RCA, 2 CD], A
Close Up [1957–72, RCA/BMG Heritage, 4 CD], B
The Country Side of Elvis [1954–76, RCA, 2 CD], B+(***)
30 #1 Hits [1956–76, RCA], A
2nd to None [1954–76, RCA], B+
A Valentine Gift for You [(1985), RCA], A–
The Great Performances [(1990), RCA], B+

Lloyd Price (1933– )

Lawdy! [1952–56, Specialty], A–
Greatest Hits: The Original ABC-Paramount Recordings [1956–60, MCA], A

Red Prysock (1926–93)

Rock 'n Roll: The Best of Red Prysock [1954–57, AVI], B+
Swingsation [1951–61, Polygram], B

The Ravens [1946–1956]

Old Man River [1947–50, Savoy], A–
Their Complete National Recordings 1947–1950 [1947–50, Savoy Jazz, 3 CD], B+(**)

Doug Sahm (1941–99)

The Best of Doug Sahm and Friends: Atlantic Sessions [1973, Rhino], B
Groover's Paradise [1974, Warner Brothers], B+

Neil Sedaka (1939– )

The Hungry Years [1975, Varese], B+

The Shirelles [1958– ]

The Very Best of the Shirelles [1958–63, Rhino], A+

Shirley and Lee [1951–1963]

The Legendary Masters Series, Vol. 1 [1952–58, EMI], B+

Huey "Piano" Smith (1934– )

This Is ... Huey "Piano" Smith [1956–62, Music Club], A–

The Spaniels

The Very Best of the Spaniels Volume 1: Goodnight Sweetheart Goodnight [1953–60, Collectables], A–
The Very Best of the Spaniels Volume 2: Stormy Weather [1953–60, Collectables], B+
Golden Hits [(1994), Juke Box Treasures], A–

Phil Spector (1941– )

A Christmas Gift for You [1963, Abkco], B
Back to Mono [1958–69, Abkco, 4 CD], B

Billy Stewart (1937–70)

The Best of Billy Stewart (20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection) [1962–68, Chess/MCA], B+
One More Time [1956–69, Chess], B+

The Treniers

They Rock! They Roll! They Swing! The Best of the Treniers [(1995), Legacy/Epic], B

Ike Turner (1931– )

Blues Kingpins [1952–61, Capitol/The Right Stuff], B+
I Like Ike: The Best of Ike Turner [1951–72, Rhino], A–
Ike and Tina Turner: w/Tina Turner: Proud Mary: The Best of Ike and Tina Turner [(1991), EMI America], A–

Big Joe Turner (1911–85)

Jumpin' with Joe: The Complete Aladdin and Imperial Recordings [1947–50, EMI], B+
Greatest Hits [1951–58, Atlantic], A
The Very Best of Big Joe Turner [1951–59, Rhino], A–
Things That I Used to Do [1977, Pablo OJC], B+
Big, Bad and Blue: The Big Joe Turner Anthology [1938–83, Rhino, 3 CD], A–

Ritchie Valens (1941–59)

The Ritchie Valens Story [1958–59, Del-Fi], B

Gene Vincent (1935–71)

The Capitol Collector's Series [1956–63, Capitol], A–
The Screaming End: The Best of Gene Vinent and His Blue Caps [(1997), Razor & Tie], A

Billy Ward and the Dominoes (1921– )

Sixty Minute Men: The Best of Billy Ward and the Dominoes [(1993), Rhino], B+

Johnny "Guitar" Watson (1935–96)

The Very Best of Johnny "Guitar" Watson [1952–63, Rhino], B+
Ain't That a Bitch [1976, Collectables], B+
A Real Mother for Ya [1977, Collectables], B
Funk Beyond the Call of Duty [1977, Collectables], B
The Funk Anthology [1976–94, Shout! Factory, 2 CD], B

Larry Williams (1935–80)

Bad Boy [1957–58, Specialty], B+

Chuck Willis (1928–58)

Let's Jump Tonight! The Best of Chuck Willis [1951–56, Columbia/Legacy], A–
Stroll On: The Chuck Willis Collection [(1994), Razor & Tie], B+

Jackie Wilson (1934–84)

The Very Best of Jackie Wilson [1957–67, Rhino], A–
The Very Best of Jackie Wilson [1957–72, Ace], A–

Various Artists

The Best of Ace Records, Vol. 2: The R&B Hits [(1993), Scotti Brothers], A
The Aladdin Records Story [(1994), Capitol, 2 CD], B+
Atlantic Rhythm and Blues 1947–1974, Vol. 1: 1947–1952 [1947–52, Atlantic], B+
Atlantic Rhythm and Blues 1947–1974, Vol. 3: 1955–1958 [1955–58, Atlantic], A
Atlantic Rhythm and Blues 1947–1974, Vol. 5: 1961–1965 [1961–65, Atlantic], A–
Atlantic Rhythm and Blues 1947–1974, Vol. 6: 1966–1969 [1966–69, Atlantic], A
The Best of Doo Wop Ballads [(1989), Rhino], A
The Best of Doo Wop Uptempo [(1989), Rhino], A+
The Best of Excello Records [1954–66, AVI/Excello], A–
The Best of Excello Records, Vol. 1: Sound of the Swamp [1956–65, Rhino], A–
The Best of Excello Records, Vol. 2: Southern Rhythm 'n' Rock [1954–66, Rhino], A
The Best of New Orleans Rhythm and Blues, Volume 1 [(1988), Rhino], A
The Best of New Orleans Rhythm and Blues, Volume 2 [(1988), Rhino], A
The Brill Building Sound [(1993), Era, 4 CD], A–
Chess Rhythm and Roll [1947–67, Chess, 4 CD], B+
Creole Kings of New Orleans [1950–58, Specialty], A
The Doo Wop Box [1948–87, Rhino, 4 CD], A–
Gettin' Funky: The Birth of New Orleans R&B [1941–50, Proper, 4CD], B+
Groove 'n' Grind: '50s and '60s Dance Hits [(1990), Rhino], A–
Ham Hocks and Cornbread: The Pounding, Pulsating Roots of Rock 'n' Roll [1945–52, JSP, 4 CD], B+(**)
The King's Record Collection, Volume 1 [1946–56, Hip-O], A–
The King's Record Collection, Volume 2 [(1998), Hip-O], B+
Loud, Fast and Out of Control [(1999), Rhino, 4 CD], B+
New Millennium Doo Wop Party [1954–61, Rhino], A–
New Millennium Rock 'n' Roll Party [1954–59, Rhino], A
New Orleans Party Classics [1955–91, Rhino], B+
Night Train to Nashville: Music City Rhythm & Blues 1945–1970 [1946–69, CMF/Lost Highway, 2 CD], A–
The Only Doo-Wop Collection You'll Ever Need [1954–65, Shout! Factory, 2 CD], A–
The R&B Box: 30 Years of Rhythm and Blues [1944–74, Rhino, 6 CD], A+
Risque Rhythm: Nasty 50's R&B [(1991), Rhino], A–
Rock This Town: Rockabilly Hits, Vol. 1 [(1991), Rhino], A
Rock This Town: Rockabilly Hits, Vol. 2 [(1991), Rhino], A–
The Roots of British Rock [1956–62, Sire, 2 LP], A–
The Roots of Rock 'n' Roll 1946–1954 [1946–54, Hip-O, 3 CD], A
Spotlite on Hull Records, Volume 1 [(1994), Collectables], B
Stompin' at the Savoy: The Original Indie-Label [1944–61, Savoy Jazz, 4 CD], B+(**)
The Sun Records Collection [(1994), Rhino, 3 CD], B+
Sun Story [(1987), Rhino], A–
Swing Baby Swing! [1947–51, Music Club], B+
Whistle Bait! 25 Rockabilly Rave-Ups [1955–59, Columbia/Epic/Legacy], A–

Introduction