Here’s a top rock & roll track written in 1916

BluesMuse 2. 1916's 'The Darktown Strutters’ Ball' performed in 1976.

 'The Darktown Strutters’ Ball', a song from the year ragtime jazz split from ragtime blues, has been recorded by many great artists over the years, from Hoagy Carmichael to Fats Waller. One of my favourite versions, in wonderful rock & roll style reminiscent of AC/DC, was recorded in Australia in 1976, some 60 years after it was written. This was way back in 1916, believe it or not. To hear it, just click the link in bold below.

First published and recorded in 1917

Those rocking Aussies, nearly 30 years ago, were The Ted Mulry Gang*. Ted Mulry was a chirpy Lancashire lad from Oldham, England, who, like so many other British musicians before him, had emigrated to Australia and found success. Sadly, Ted died in 2001 aged just 54.

Why am I bringing this up? Well, 'The Darktown Strutters’ Ball' was first released exactly 96 years ago on 30 May 1917, just as the latest sound, ragtime jazz, was splitting from its forerunner, ragtime blues. It was written by a Canadian of African American and native American heritage called Shelton Brooks, who moved to Detroit with his family in 1901, aged 15.

In 1917, arguably the world’s first jazz record, 'Livery Stable Blues', had just been released by The Original Dixieland Jass Band, a white New Orleans jazz ensemble. Almost immediately, they changed their name to The

Original Dixieland Jazz Band and released 'The Darktown Strutters’ Ball' that May. Catch TMG’s top version of The Darktown Strutters’ Ball, on  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AExjHPZypk8

Another great version found on YouTube is by Fats Domino.

*TMG had enjoyed an earlier Aussie hit, Jump In My Car, in 1975, which resurfaced to reach number three in Britain in 2006 by, of all people, David Hasselhoff.