Four songs into his show last night in Germany, Bruce Springsteen played “Shake, Rattle and Roll” by (sign) request. Written by Charles Calhoun (Jesse Stone), the song was originally recorded by Joe Turner and most famously covered by Bill Haley & His Comets (Haley’s birthday is today, July 6). It had previously been performed only once by the E Street Band, on 09/02/95 in Cleveland, OH, during the concert for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Here are some videos of “SR&R” from Springsteen and others.
Springsteen – Germany 07/05/2013. First minute of the song only – cuts after the chorus, but captures the energy of the performance & the crowd.
Springsteen – Germany 07/05. Full song
Elvis – Jan 1956 (CBS music stage)
Bill Haley & His Comets first recorded “SR&R” in July 1954 (the year it was written). This “Twist” version is from a Mexican film circa 1960.
NRBQ made “Shake, Rattle and Roll” their own. If you ever saw them play it live, you may agree that no one’s done it better. This one’s from 1982.
Richard Thompson – solo acoustic 1992
Big Joe Turner original February 1954 recording (audio only)