Jesse Stone facts for kids

Jesse Albert Stone (born November 16, 1901 – died April 1, 1999) was an American rhythm and blues musician and songwriter. He helped shape many music styles, especially rock and roll. He also used the names Charles Calhoun and Chuck Calhoun. His most famous song as Charles Calhoun was "Shake, Rattle and Roll".

Music legend Ahmet Ertegun said that Jesse Stone did more to create the basic rock and roll sound than anyone else.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Jesse Stone was born in Atchison, Kansas, United States. He grew up in Kansas. His grandparents were formerly enslaved in Tennessee.

Jesse came from a musical family. They performed in minstrel shows, and he joined them by age five. He was even part of a trained dog act when he was four years old! Jesse was influenced by many different music styles.

Jesse Stone's Music Career

By 1926, Jesse Stone started his own group called the Blue Serenaders. They released their first record, "Starvation Blues," in 1927. For the next few years, he worked as a pianist and arranger in Kansas City. He recorded music with artists like Julia Lee. In the 1930s, he formed a larger orchestra.

Working in New York City

In 1936, famous jazz musician Duke Ellington helped Stone's orchestra get a booking at the Cotton Club. Ellington even let Stone stay in his apartment for four months for free! After that, Stone worked as a bandleader at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem. He also wrote and arranged music for many bands, including Chick Webb's band and Jimmie Lunceford. He made some recordings under his own name during the 1930s and 1940s.

In 1941, Stone became the musical director for the International Sweethearts of Rhythm. This was an amazing all-female jazz band. He stayed with them for two years. Later, Stone was interviewed for a 1986 movie about the band.

Jesse Stone's early songs showed a strong blues influence. One of his first big hits was "Idaho." Many artists recorded it, and the Benny Goodman version reached number 4 on the pop charts in 1942. Another version by Guy Lombardo sold three million copies! He also wrote "Sorghum Switch," which was later renamed "Cole Slaw" by Louis Jordan. Stone also wrote the well-known song "Smack Dab in the Middle."

Joining Atlantic Records

In 1945, Jesse Stone started working for National Records. Two years later, he joined Atlantic Records with his friend Herb Abramson. At that time, Stone was the only Black person working for Atlantic Records.

At Atlantic, Stone was a producer, songwriter, and arranger. In 1949, he traveled to the South with Ahmet Ertegun. Stone noticed that Atlantic's records were not selling well there. He realized they needed a more danceable rhythm. Stone later explained that he created a special bass pattern. This pattern became a key part of the early rock and roll sound. He called himself "the guilty person that started that" sound.

In 1953, he wrote "Losing Hand," a hit for Ray Charles. He also wrote "Money Honey." This song became the first big hit for The Drifters, staying at the top of the R&B charts for 11 weeks. The next year, he arranged "Sh-Boom" for The Chords.

Using the Name Charles Calhoun

Ahmet Ertegun suggested that Stone use a different name for some of his songs. This was to avoid problems with different music licensing groups. So, Jesse Stone started using the name Charles F. Calhoun. He borrowed the name from a local builder without the builder knowing!

His most famous song as Charles Calhoun was "Shake, Rattle and Roll." Big Joe Turner first recorded this song in 1954 for Atlantic. It was a huge hit for the R&B artist. Many people say it was one of the first rock and roll records. Even bigger was a cover version of the song by Bill Haley & His Comets. This version came out later in 1954. It was one of the first rock and roll songs to sell a million copies and become a worldwide hit. It came out almost a year before Haley's even more famous song, "Rock Around the Clock."

Stone also helped write "Flip, Flop and Fly" with Big Joe Turner. This was another hit song. Bill Haley also loved this song and recorded it three times. Stone had other connections to Haley's music too. Haley's 1955 hit, "Razzle-Dazzle," was also written by Stone under the Calhoun name. Stone was also a co-writer of "Rattle My Bones." This song was recorded in 1956 by The Jodimars, a group that came from Bill Haley's band.

As a bandleader, Stone released several songs in the late 1940s and mid-1950s. He recorded them under his own name or as "Chuck," "Charles," or "Charlie" Calhoun.

Later Career and Retirement

In 1960, Jesse Stone worked as an arranger for LaVern Baker. He helped produce four songs, including the hit "Bumble Bee." In 1961, after a short break, Stone was asked to manage Randy Records in Chicago. However, he left after a few years.

After leaving Randy Records, Stone moved to New York and then to Florida. In 1975, he married Evelyn McGee. She had also been a member of the International Sweethearts of Rhythm.

Jesse Stone passed away in 1999 at the age of 97 in Altamonte Springs, Florida.

Awards and Recognition

Jesse Stone received many honors for his contributions to music:

• In 1992, he received a Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation.
• He was inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame in 1992.
• In 2010, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
• He was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2010.
• He received the Ahmet Ertegun Award from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010.

Jesse Stone's Musical Legacy

Jesse Stone's songs have been covered by many famous artists, showing his lasting impact on music.

• Roy Hamilton's version of Stone's "Don't Let Go" was a big hit in 1958.
• Elvis Presley performed "Shake, Rattle and Roll" and "Flip, Flop and Fly" in 1956. He also recorded "Money Honey" and "Like a Baby."
• Sam Cooke covered "Shake, Rattle and Roll" on his 1963 album Night Beat.
• Jerry Lee Lewis recorded many of Stone's songs, including "Don't Let Go" and "Shake, Rattle and Roll."
• The Jerry Garcia Band performed "Don't Let Go" live in concert over 150 times!
• The Steve Miller Band covered "Your Cash Ain't Nothing but Trash" in 1973.
• Isaac Hayes covered "Don't Let Go" in 1979.
• Jeff Lynne covered "Don't Let Go" on his 1990 solo album.
• Huey Lewis and the News covered "Your Cash Ain't Nothing but Trash" in 1994.
• The Beatles covered "Shake, Rattle and Roll," released in 1996.
• Count Basie wrote that Stone was known as the best piano player in Kansas City in the 1920s.
• Jazz historian Frank Driggs said Stone created the first written horn arrangements for jazz bands. He also helped modernize jazz to be played in 4/4 time.
• Ry Cooder covered "Money Honey" and "Smack Dab in the Middle."
• Wanda Jackson covered "Like a Baby" in 2011.
• 38 Special covered "Money Honey" in 1980.
• The Manhattan Transfer covered "Don't Let Go" in 1976.

Discography

Jesse Stone & His Band

• "Hey Sister Lucy" / "An Ace In The Hole", RCA-Victor, 1947
• "Who Killed 'er ?" / "Mister Jelly Fingers", RCA-Victor, 1948
• "Don't Let It Get Away" / "The Donkey And The Elephant", RCA-Victor, 1948
• "Who's Zat ?" / "Bling-a-ling-a-ling", RCA-Victor, 1948
• "Get It While You Can" / "Keep Your Big Mouth Shut", RCA-Victor, 1949
• "Cole Slaw" / "Do It Now !" RCA-Victor 22–0026, 1949

Jesse Stone

• "Oh, That'll Be Joyful" / "Runaway", Atlantic, 1954

The Charlie Calhoun Orchestra

• "Smack Dab In The Middle" / "(I Don't Know Why) The Car Won't Go", MGM, 1955

Jesse Stone & His Houserockers

• "Night Life" / "The Rocket", Atco, 1955

Charles Calhoun

• "Jamboree" / "My Pigeon's Gone", Groove, 1956

Chuck Calhoun

• "Hey Tiger" / "Barrelhouse", Atlantic, 1956