Rock and roll music evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s from gospel, blues, jazz, boogie woogie, rhythm and blues and country music.

Many maintain that the first rock and roll single was Rocket 88, written by Ike Turner, sung by Jackie Brenston (saxophone player from Turner’s band The Kings of Rhythm) and recorded by Sam Phillips, who later went on to found Sun records (and discover Elvis Presley).

The instrumental in Ike Turner’s Rocket 88 reminds me of my all time favorite True Fine Mama by Little Richard in 1957.

Early rock and roll typically featured the piano or saxophone as the lead instrument.

Guitars became prominent in the mid 1950s with an accentuated backbeat often provided by a snare drum.

Classic rock and roll usually features lead and rhythm electric guitars and a string bass.

Source: Wikipedia

Bill Haley’s Rock Around the Clock was the first rock and roll record heard by millions of people worldwide.

Shake, Rattle and Roll was a twelve bar blues-form rock and roll song, written in 1954 by Jesse Stone and originally recorded by Big Joe Turner; and later popularized by Bill Haley & His Comets.