James Cotton - Rocket 88

[harataikiphilosopher]

been playing harp since i was a little over 8 years of age, 21 now and i tell ya I've never heard anything better than Mr JC.

[daveyben100]

I met James, Gutair Matt Murphy and the boys back in the late 70's in Lenox Mass. He was a really super nice guy. Great music too. Hope he's well.

[craniuman]

He must have drivin' an Olds to sing like that

[converse2931]

this is the FIRST Rock-And-Roll SONG!!!!!!!!!! BY Jackie Brenston who recorded, with Ike Turner's band.

[mrhalter1]

James Cotton is just amazing, I can't wait till he comes to Chicago in Nov.

[Glo00n]

So back in the day luved this song so much talked the old man into buying the last Olds 88 (made in 88). He passed, my brother got the rig, passed it to my son. It's still running 'round the NorthEast Kingdom somewhere. Still luv this tune.

[eddie486us]

Wasn't this song written originally by Ike Turner.

[LeoGetsU]

Happy 60th to what was considered the first rock and roll tune in history.

ALthough not as popular as Elvis, it is thought too be the first song that started what soon too be the popular genere Rock and Roll!

[Pentaerythrittetrani]

it's cool but i like the version from Bernard Allioson more...

[PaulRx4]

Considered by many musicologists the start of Rock and Roll, before Bill Haley and

the Comets!!!  Mostly filed under Blues. Seminal music for sure.

[chocolatedonut31]

@PaulRx4 Wtf are you talking about? I love James cotton but nobody considers him the start of rock'n'roll. Do some research, gallis pole by Leadbelly is considered the first rock song :|

[itsnegrojones]

@chocolatedonut31 He means the song. Rocket 88 is oft said to be the first true rock n' roll song. It does share the title with a couple others, but hey, what can you do.

[leesan16]

Como se llama este concierto? en donde es..

[djk28161]

@leesan16 James cotton...Viuve en estados unidos

[Rockers1957]

Cotton at the top of his game!!

[jodysoldman]

that dudes Sweat Game is up there with the all-time greats

[DaSassyDanca]

what is really the difference between blues and jazz?

[guitarsouldude]

@DaSassyDanca a lot of the chords used and the all around flow, jazz is usually a lot more arbitrary and either very technical or very random

[fivos833]

@DaSassyDanca

Jazz is a word that describes a genre of music.

Blues is a word that describes an emotion. "Whenever you are feeling evil, you got the blues" Howlin'Wolf.

[grandyzer]

quelle énergie, superbe.

[cooktree]

Love this version, James does it complete justice and adds something to the mix. Decent recording too, an added bonus. Thanks for posting it.

[jporcel100]

Stellar!

[The73kirby]

Saw him in 1974 at Michigan State with Matt Murphy and Little Bo on Sax just an awsome concert. He came out with one drop of sweat on his shirt and left with not one dry spot! What a great concert and great harp player. Opened for Johnny Winter. VERY enjoyable night!

[jeflan74]

Made my day brother!

[bassbob42]

How could you not like this? You'd have to have a hole in yo soul!

[eslmc]

Smokin' hot. Thanks.

[Chriskcan1]

It's a Kick ass video , man!!! He's a Fucking best harmonica player!!!!!

[TalkingPoints1]

the sweat on him is a little unnerving..could someone get Mr. Cotton a hand towel please? awesome harpin though

[Dogheadj]

@TalkingPoints1 : I saw James at a blues concert in Davenport area years ago. During his set, he kept grimacing and holding his stomach. He cut his set short, and I helped him off the stage, asking "James are you alright?" He said "No, I'm not. Can you help me to the bus?" Naturally I did. Once aboard the bus he broke out some medicine (Jack Daniels) and invited me to join him. Although I drank that medicine with James, I still got the flu a few days later. So thanks, James, for everything.

[gregfarleyeverst69]

@Dogheadj what a cool storey. you and james cotten

[HarpinPaul]

Do you have any more of this live performance? I've viewed "The Creeper, Slow Blues & Rocket 88" excellent stuff!

[weaselshark]

NOT THE FIRST

[rorygg1]

james is in terrible health today. he doesn't sing and barely has enough oxygen to blow a harp. i saw him in chapel hill, nc 1978. he was great. i hope his health improves. great player

[ThomasDeLello]

DAMM...!!!

That stands for...

Drunks Against Mad Mothers...

Our motto is...

"I'd rather have a bottle in front of me...

than have a frontal labatomy".

[rmbb10]

Nice.

[PuR3miKe]

wait is this blues or jazz ???

[boykinblue]

@PuR3miKe Rocket 88 is considered by some to be the first rock n' roll song, origanally recorded by Ike Turner.

[BlueRevival]

@PuR3miKe blues

[Rajamuttu]

@PuR3miKe

If you don't know by now, it won't do you any good to be told.

[jftrumm]

I played James Cotton's "Live and On the Move" to death in college.

[ThomasDeLello]

DAMM...!!!

That stands for..."Drunks Against Mad Mothers".

Our motto: "I'd rather have a bottle in front of me... than have a frontal labatomy"

Did it...!

[mskrissi41]

RIP Uncle Doug (he's playing the sax) DOD: 02/18/10.

[cedricleecason]

Sorry for the lost. Was a wonderful sax player!

[tommiisan]

I love it, they sound great. Sharp!

[atikoz1]

Туфта я лучше студийную запись послушаю.!!!!!!))))

[TownBranchDandy]

King of the Harp, Seen in '83 wicked, Love Digging My Potatos

[chrook]

Saw him in '79 with a killer band.

[Jamdor78]

Me too. He used to come to our campus bar and blow all night long.

[andyrosstate]

I have the original versions of this by Jackie Brenston and Ike Turner, including the out takes, but this is my favourite version, it stomps real fast and James harmonica playing is impeccable and getting all those words out! Thanks for posting this and the Creeper too

[bulbheadmyass]

Great one, rock it, Rocket 88.

[rosesredvioletsblue]

Amazing talent. thank you!!!

excellent.... boogie all night... love it.

[hinamauka]

Saw JC several times in the early '70s at the Rusty Nail in Sunderland, MA. The band he had at that time couldn't be beat!!

[2009framat]

In The James Cotton Band of the 70's played BassPLayer Charles Calmese. He was one of my favorite Bassplayers but very few info is known about him. I know he died in a car or motorcycle accident in the early 80's. Does anyone know more about him?

BTW I did a tribute to SONNY BOY II (and another to JIMMY REED) and I like to invite you to my aniamated blues short films with my new recorded musi and have some fun,

bye

[lunamama1980]

Im falling in love!!!! He is FUCKING awesome!

[722erodz]

rocket 88!! rock on!!

[mrdogwalker2009]

superb

[jellyled]

Jamoer you are the legend

[jcostello69]

when he was with MGM and the short real dark sax player, Albert Gianquinto on keys, they were the best blues band in the history of the world!! Dynamics, jazz complexity accents, multiple virtuoso soloists......and they looked good doin' it

[narljawaica]

perfecto esto si es muzika

[capmwhatsup]

I remember seeing James and Matt Murphy at the Red Rail in Nanuet NY in the late 70's. You could fill a swimming pool with the sweat they put out for their shows. They just don't make 'em like James anymore. Rock on!

[Timrose89]

Cotton is my harp hero!! He's the reason that I practice every day!!1

[bgypupi]

made for Wernher von Braun

[thenash19]

its about a car - the rocket 88

[jpsmart59]

I am music and I write the songs. I am forever.

Would you care to listen?

[jonrickly]

love that rocket 88!!

[YT28666]

Superb fast rockin' blues!

[stevemike84]

Jump Style Blues

[pixle500]

i dout u can jump style to this lol

[DrumzzCool]

The great Kennard Johnson on drums!

[downonthe1]

together with Herman Applewhite on bass, chi-town rhythm section at it's finest!

[EdGauthier1]

James Cotton - one of the best harps I've heard since the greatest of them all - Little Walter.

- Edwood Blues

[rdog1616]

james cotton raps better than 90% percent of todays so called mc's

[adrikos1]

cool

[Godsovs]

This is awesome.

[7Oancianos]

aguante el blues

[gjazz22]

He used always play our town (seattle)

he would play until they turned up

the house lights up on him,they would have to drag him off stage, and we loved him for it.......

[doughborne]

Right on Mr Superharp, you be jammin ! doughboy

[Schpoonfish]

This shit's nuts! Great vid. Cotton is great.

[Jamied837]

how sweaty is he

[zizais]

They are the greatest...thanks!

[hinamauka]

One of the best live blues rock bands around. Saw them many times in small clubs in Massachusetts. Saw James about seven years ago in Hawaii -- what a difference. He was pretty much by himself and sat down the whole time. God, I miss Rocket '88.

[violet2048]

It doesn't sound like my old LP, but it still good.

[alicelookingglass]

I di not enjoy this music, but interesting to see the keyboard player before he grew the locks.

[flippityflop8]

what year is this?

[angrykoopa]

Whoa! Asides from being a harp god I didn't know he had such smooth flow. He could be a rapper

[guitarismysword1]

@angrykoopa he could be? :D he does it way better than any rapper in my opinion :D

[guitarismysword1]

@angrykoopa ahah now i noticed i replied hmmm quite old comment. :D

[angrykoopa]

@guitarismysword1 yo that is an old ass comment

[DrumzzKool]

@angrykoopa

Where do you think "rap" came from?

THE BLUES.

Investigate and you will be enlightened...seek and you shall find.

[132gibson]

@DrumzzKool respect to you man.thats what im talkin about.

[beatmastert]

Killer band!!!!

[54spiritedwill54]

God,I love it!! Thanx to whoever posted. Keep it up.

[MS85ToyotaCrown]

Hey sonny where the fire.

[imn06c]

original sounds better i think song duzznt suit the fast tempo.

[whitefeet1]

That sax man's got the tools! - you can hear him trying to resist running away with the whole tune.... wonder who it is... he sounds top notch.

[guitarigg]

LMAO listen to the sax lick at 54 seconds it was sick but theres a note that makes me choke up and laugh

[lwc611]

Ike wrote it but he did not sing it.

[marygeorge1984]

he used to...in his live appearences

[jonrickly]

where's ikes' version?

[marygeorge1984]

in what's love got to do with it movie

[nordwest558]

2 minutes and 8 seconds of pure genius...

[thefamilycat]

James Cotton made a few singles for the Sun label but the book Rough Guide to the Blues makes no mention of this song under his entry.Neither has Ike Turner's any mention of Cotton.

Wikipedia can be changed though by anyone who's a member as its User Content

[sharp1972]

yeah im aware of the history of wikapedia....its a youtube without video

[sharp1972]

someone set me straight..o.k ike turner penned with help rocket 88 ......now i find this version ..,,,by accident....in wickipedia says ike penned it..but on jj's site (wick)says he penned it/////anyone??????????????

[jmaine44]

it was ike turner!!

[marygeorge1984]

yeah, ike, in 1951

[pcastrovinteoito]

Maneiríssimo!!

[stoobenvonreuben]

Jackie Brenston hit written by Ike.

[Ippondo]

Moving and grovin along! Sweet as it gets!

All right all right PHS Class of 75 !!

[centurionant]

first time ive seen that guy, hes good, i like how he just blares out in the middle of a quiet tune

[Laurayahoocom]

God,I love it!! Thanx to whoever posted. Keep it up.

Can never get enough of it.

[coolblock11]

This was written by Ike and Cotton....

[paullongball]

Love ya James!

Thanks for all of 'em, diabluz!

There ain't enough stars in the sky to give James!

[JayJoJonny]

Yes indeed, music historians now regard this song

as the FIRST Rock N Roll song noted for it's heavy back beat,written by Ike Turner. Recorded by Sam Phillips of Sun Record fame. It's a hymn of praise to the joys of the Oldsmobile "Rocket 88"

[mystah]

niiice. Wasn't this the FIRST rock and roll song that Ike Turner recorded with Sun BEFORE Elvis made the label world famous (Well, Presley and Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash and few others) ?

[noyna9]

I love James Cottons harp playing.Get the album Live and on the move if you can.

[thebluesbro1]

Hey diabluz YOU MAKE MY DAY...THANKS...GRACIAS BROTHER!!

[sonnyboy3]

Thank You!I`ve been looking for this too.More please!

[Nightripper]

Thank you! Every night for the past 6 months I've been looking for this video. THANK YOU! REALLY!

[diabluz]

I'm very glad you liked it, he's just great! I just uploaded other two videos, enjoy.