Sorry to be so critical, but the article by Farrier is misleading and a bit of a white wash.
Crudup's "That's Alright Mama" was an up-tempo Delta Blues song. (Rockabilly had not arrived on the scene in '47).
Elvis' version (1954) was Rock & Roll, but it was predated on the Billboard charts by Bill Haley's "Crazy Man Crazy" (1953 #12).
More likely candidates include "Rocket 88" by Jackie Brenston & The Delta Cats. (Ike Turner wrote the song and was lead musician with Jackie on sax and vocal. Sam Phillips produced the session.)
Also, there's a strong case to me made for the even earlier (1947) "Good Rockin' Tonight" by Wynonie Harris.
But, in reality, Rock & Roll was an evolutionary process rather than a revolutionary process, so there is always room for debate over the first line crosser.
And finally, Farrier's definition of Rock and Roll left out it's most common useage: Negro slang for having sex.
Crudup's "That's Alright Mama" was an up-tempo Delta Blues song. (Rockabilly had not arrived on the scene in '47).
Elvis' version (1954) was Rock & Roll, but it was predated on the Billboard charts by Bill Haley's "Crazy Man Crazy" (1953 #12).
More likely candidates include "Rocket 88" by Jackie Brenston & The Delta Cats. (Ike Turner wrote the song and was lead musician with Jackie on sax and vocal. Sam Phillips produced the session.)
Also, there's a strong case to me made for the even earlier (1947) "Good Rockin' Tonight" by Wynonie Harris.
But, in reality, Rock & Roll was an evolutionary process rather than a revolutionary process, so there is always room for debate over the first line crosser.
And finally, Farrier's definition of Rock and Roll left out it's most common useage: Negro slang for having sex.