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Musicians · 1911–1985

Big Joe Turner

American singer (1911–1985)

Born: 18 May 1911
Kansas City
Died: 24 November 1985
Inglewood
Country: United States
Active: 1920–
Record labels: Atlantic Records
Discography: 23 albums

Biography

Big Joe Turner was a jazz musician who played bass instrument. Big Joe Turner was born on 18 May 1911 in Kansas City and died on 24 November 1985 in Inglewood. The music is usually filed under blues and jump blues. Record labels: Atlantic Records. The discography here lists 23 albums, from “The Boss of the Blues Sings Kansas City Jazz” (1956) to “Kansas City Style” (2024). Honours include Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1987) and Kansas Music Hall of Fame (2005).

Joseph Vernon "Big Joe" Turner Jr. (May 18, 1911 – November 24, 1985) was an American blues shouter from Kansas City, Missouri. Turner's greatest fame was due to his rock and roll recordings in the 1950s, particularly "Shake, Rattle and Roll", but his career as a performer endured from the 1920s into the 1980s. Turner was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, with the Hall lauding him as "the brawny voiced 'Boss of the Blues.'" According to songwriter Doc Pomus, "rock and roll would have never happened without him." AllMusic called Turner "the premier blues shouter of the postwar era".

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Discography

Studio and live albums

The Boss of the Blues Sings Kansas City Jazz 1956 · Atlantic Rock & Roll 1957 · Atlantic Rockin’ the Blues 1958 · Atlantic Big Joe Is Here 1959 · Atlantic Big Joe Rides Again 1960 · Atlantic Singing the Blues 1967 · ABC Records Things That I Used To Do 1977 · Pablo Everyday I Have the Blues 1978 · Pablo Let's Boogie Woogie All Night Long 1978 · Telefunken Boogie Woogie Jubilee 1981 · Live · Telefunken Blues Train 1986 · Muse Records Flip, Flop & Fly 1989 · Pablo Life Ain't Easy 1994 · Original Jazz Classics In the Evening 1995 · Pablo Rocks in My Bed 2000 · Past Perfect Silver Line Blues Café presents Big Joe Turner 2002 · Galaxy Music The Midnight Special 2002 · Pablo Boss Man's Blues 2006 Big Joe Rocks the House (Live) 2015 · Live · Ten12 Entertainment Best Of 2017 Kansas City Style 2024 · Beth Montana Honey Hush · Jewel Records Turns On the Blues · Kent

Also plays on

Albums where Big Joe Turner is credited as a sideman

1974	The Bosses — Count Basie & Joe Turner	vocals
1977	Memory Lane Live — The Hampton Hawes All-Stars	vocals
1980	Kansas City Shout — Count Basie	vocals
—	Tell Me Pretty Baby — Pete Johnson and Big Joe Turner	vocals

Awards

1987 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
2005 Kansas Music Hall of Fame

Frequently asked questions

What instrument did Big Joe Turner play?

Big Joe Turner is known for playing bass instrument.

When and where was Big Joe Turner born?

Big Joe Turner was born 18 May 1911 in Kansas City.

What are Big Joe Turner's best-known albums?

Albums in our database include The Boss of the Blues Sings Kansas City Jazz (1956), Rock & Roll (1957), Rockin’ the Blues (1958), Big Joe Is Here (1959) and Big Joe Rides Again (1960).

External links

Data compiled from open sources; see the source links below. Spotted an error? Let us know.