Big Joe Turner is born in Kansas City, Missouri.
Big Joe Turner’s appearance at the “Spirituals to Swing” concert at Carnegie Hall in New York becomes a career turning point.
Joe Turner and Pete Johnson’s first single - “Roll ‘Em Pete” b/w “Goin’ Away Blues” - is released on Vocalion Records. The duo also begin a five-year residency at New York’s Café Society.
“My Gal’s a Jockey,” credited to Joe Turner With Bill Moore’s Lucky Seven, becomes Turner’s first single to make Billboard‘s R&B chart.
“Honey Hush,” by Joe Turner, enters the charts. A reported million-seller, the song will top the R&B charts for eight weeks.
“Shake, Rattle and Roll,” credited to Joe Turner and His Blues Kings, enters the singles charts, where it will peak at #1 R&B and #2 pop.
“Flip Flop and Fly,” another seminal side of rocking rhythm & blues from Big Joe Turner, enters the charts, where it will peak at #2.
Big Joe Turner’s lively rendition of “Corrine Corinna” enters the charts, where it will peak at #2.
Big Joe Turner appears in the film Shake, Rattle and Rock.
“(I’m Gonna) Jump for Joy,” the twentieth and last of Big Joe Turner’s incredible run of hits, enters the R&B charts.
Pianist Pete Johnson, Big Joe Turner’s longtime partner and accompanist, dies after a long period of declining health that began with a stroke.
Blues Train, which pairs Big Joe Turner with Roomful of Blues, is released on Mute Records.
Big Joe Turner dies of kidney failure in Inglewood, California.
Big Joe Turner is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the 2nd annual induction dinner. Doc Pomus is his presenter.
Rhino Records releases Big, Bad & Blue
