Big Joe Turner (born Joseph Vernon Turner Jr., May 18, 1911 – November 24, 1985) was an American blues shouter from Kansas City, Missouri, United States. According to the songwriter Doc Pomus, "Rock and roll would have never happened without him." While he had his greatest fame during the 1950s with his rock and roll recordings, particularly "Shake, Rattle and Roll", Turner's 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'".
The American Folk-Blues Festival: The British Tours 1963-1966, Shake, Rattle & Rock!
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Fact
1
Upon his death, his remains were interred at Roosevelt Memorial Park in Gardena, Los Angeles, California. His wife, Patricia Turner, was interred in 1990. His sister Katie Turner Bryant was interred in 1983.
2
Brother of Katie Bryant (1908-1983).
3
Biography in: "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives." Volume One, 1981-1985, pages 800-801. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1998.
4
Inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1984 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
WPC 56
2013-2015
TV Series performer - 4 episodes
Vegas
2012
TV Series performer - 1 episode
L.A. Noire
2011
Video Game as Harris Joe Turner, "Battle of the Blues, Part 1" / performer: "Battle of the Blues, Part 1"
The Express
2008
performer: "Shake, Rattle And Roll"
Jukebox Rock 'n' Roll Vol. 1
2007
Video performer: "Okee Shamokee Pop"
Lackawanna Blues
2005
TV Movie performer: "Boogie Woogie Country Girl"
The Blues
TV Series documentary performer - 1 episode, 2003 writer - 1 episode, 2003
The Singing Detective
2003
performer: "Flip Flop And Fly"
Elvis Presley: His Early Performances
2002
Video documentary writer: "Flip, Flop and Fly"
Hollywood Rocks the Movies: The Early Years (1955-1970)
2000
TV Movie documentary performer: "Shake, Rattle And Roll", "Lipstick, Powder And Paint" - as Joe Turner
Paul McCartney: Live at the Cavern Club
1999
TV Special writer: "Honey Hush" - as Joe Turner, uncredited
Liberty Heights
1999
performer: "Shake Rattle and Roll"
The Rainmaker
1997
performer: "Woman You Must Be Crazy"
Corrina, Corrina
1994
performer: "CORRINE, CORRINA"
Bluesland: A Portrait in American Music
1993
Documentary performer: "Shake, Rattle & Roll"
Malcolm X
1992
performer: "Roll Em Pete" / writer: "Roll Em Pete" - as Joe Turner
Uncle Buck
1989
performer: "LIPSTICK, POWDER AND PAINT" - as Joe Turner
Last Exit to Brooklyn
1989
performer: "The Chill Is On" / writer: "The Chill Is On"
$1.1 Million
