Roy Brown

Born in 1920 or 1925 (disputed) in Kinder, Louisiana (died 1981 in San Fernando, California), Roy Brown was a pioneering vocalist of the post-war jump blues era. Combining the emotional intensity of gospel singing with the swinging brass arrangements of big band jazz, Brown's powerful, crying vocal delivery directly laid the groundwork for early rhythm and blues and rock and roll. His 1947 debut recording for DeLuxe Records, "Good Rockin' Tonight," was a massive success and established a vibrant, celebratory template that was quickly adopted by artists like Wynonie Harris and Elvis Presley. Relocating frequently to find work, Brown's melismatic, soaring vocal style was a stated primary influence on later icons of both blues and soul, most notably B.B. King, Bobby "Blue" Bland, and Jackie Wilson.