Turner, Big Joe (1911-1985)

US blues singer. He was considered the greatest of the blues ‘shouters’. His raucously joyful work with boogie-woogie pianist Pete Johnson (1904-1967) influenced early rock and roll. His hits include ‘Honey Hush’ (1953) and ‘Shake, Rattle, and Roll’ (1954).

Turner was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and became part of the jazz scene there, initially as a singing bartender. He is credited with bringing jazz and blues to a wider US audience.