Loading...

PODCAST

Juke In The Back

At the end of the Second World War, economics forced the big bands to trim their once great size and thus, the Jump Blues combo was born. Between 1946-1954, rhythm and blues laid the tracks for what was to become Rock n’ Roll. So how come, 75 years later, this vibrant and influential music is still so unknown to so many? Matt The Cat is going to change that with the radio program, “Juke In The Back.” These were the records that you couldn’t hear on the jukebox in the front of the establishment. To

music music history

All Episodes

59:00

Episode #857 – Louis Jordan, Pt. 4 – 1947-48

Juke In The Back ·

2026/10/04

Air Week: October 5-11, 2026Louis Jordan, Pt. 4 – 1947-48 The “Juke In The Back” presents Part 4 of our mammoth, 6 part series, featuring the most important musical figure of the 1940s, Louis Jordan. He was the most successful African-American artist of the decade, selling millions of records to both Black and White audiences. Jordan charted 57 singles between 1942 and 1951, scoring 18 #1 R&B hits and 56 top 10s. Several of his records even crossed over into the Pop

en-US

59:00

Episode #856 – Louis Jordan, Pt. 3 – 1946

Juke In The Back ·

2026/09/27

Air Week: September 28-October 4, 2026 Louis Jordan, Pt. 3 – 1946 The “Juke In The Back” presents Part 3 of a mammoth, six-part series, featuring the most important musical figure of the 1940s, Louis Jordan. He was the most successful African-American artist of the decade, selling millions of records to both Black and White audiences. Jordan charted 57 singles between 1942 and 1951, scoring 18 #1 R&B hits and 56 top 10s. Several of his records even crossed over into

en-US

59:00

Episode #855 – Louis Jordan, Pt. 2 – 1942-45

Juke In The Back ·

2026/09/20

Air Week: September 21-27, 2026Louis Jordan, Pt. 2 – 1942-45 The “Juke In The Back” presents Part 2 of a mammoth, six-part series, featuring the most important musical figure of the 1940s, Louis Jordan. He was the most successful African-American artist of the decade, selling millions of records to both Black and White audiences. Jordan charted 57 singles between 1942 and 1951, scoring 18 #1 R&B hits and 56 top 10s. Several of his records even crossed over into the

en-US

59:00

Episode #854 – Louis Jordan, Pt. 1 – 1938-41

Juke In The Back ·

2026/09/13

Air Week: September 14-20, 2026 Louis Jordan, Pt. 1 – 1938-41 The “Juke In The Back” begins a mammoth, multi-part series, featuring the most important musical figure of the 1940s, Louis Jordan. He was the most successful African-American artist of the decade, selling millions of records to both Black and White audiences. Jordan charted 57 singles between 1942 and 1951, scoring 18 #1 R&B hits and 56 top 10s. Several of his records even crossed over into the Pop Top

en-US

59:00

Episode #853 – Ike Turner

Juke In The Back ·

2026/09/06

Air Week: September 7-13, 2026Ike Turner One of Rhythm & Blues’ greatest innovators was also one of its most notorious personalities. Ike Turner was born in the same place that the blues was born, in the heart of the Mississippi Delta in Clarksdale in 1931. He learned boogie woogie piano was the legendary Pinetop Perkins and soon taught himself how to play guitar. His band, The Kings Of Rhythm, recorded what some would come to name as the “first Rock n’ Roll Record” with “Rocket 88”

en-US

59:00

Episode #852 – Sun Records R&B, Pt. 2 – 1954-55

Juke In The Back ·

2026/08/30

Air Week: August 31-September 6, 2026Sun Records R&B, Pt. 2 – 1954-55 On Part 2 of “Juke In The Back”‘s 2 part series on Sun Records’ early R&B releases, Matt The Cat spotlights 1954 and ’55. This was the most important year and a half in Sun’s history. In July, 1954, a young former truck driver named Elvis Presley entered 706 Union Avenue in Memphis and laid down a song that would lead to the rock n’ roll explosion of the

en-US

59:00

Episode #851 – Sun Records R&B, Pt. 1 – 1952-53

Juke In The Back ·

2026/08/23

Air Week: August 24-30, 2026Sun Records R&B, Pt. 1 – 1952-53 This week, the “Juke In The Back” salutes the most influential and important record label of all-time, Sun Records. Sam Phillips started the legendary label in Memphis, TN in March, 1952 after successfully recording the debut sides from B.B. King, Ike Turner, Phineas Newborn and Howlin’ Wolf and selling the masters to RPM Records in LA and Chess Records in Chicago. This is part one of a two part

en-US

59:00

Episode #850 – Elvis’ R&B Influences

Juke In The Back ·

2026/08/16

Air Week: August 17-23, 2026Elvis’ R&B Influences 49 years ago this week, we lost the “King Of Rock n’ Roll. Much has been written about Elvis’ enormous impact and popularity over the years, but it’s almost impossible to overstate the cultural shift that took place as he rose to fame in 1956. Elvis was a musical sponge. He absorbed all the music that moved him and those around him, from Country and Hillbilly to Gospel, Pop, R&B and Blues. This week’s “Juke In

en-US

58:59

Episode #849 – Aladdin Records, Pt. 3 – 1953-55

Juke In The Back ·

2026/08/09

Air Week: August 10-16, 2026 Aladdin Records, Pt. 3 – 1953-55 The “Juke In The Back” presents part 3 in our series on Aladdin Records, one of the most important independent labels of the pre-rock era. Part 3 focuses on 1953-55, just as Rock n’ Roll was beginning to enter the mainstream. Matt The Cat digs up a great variety of styles this week as vocal groups, raw Rhythm & Blues, jump instrumentals, drinking songs and ballads take center stage. We’ll dig

en-US

59:00

Episode #848 – Aladdin Records, Pt. 2 – 1950-54

Juke In The Back ·

2026/08/02

Air Week: August 3-9, 2026Aladdin Records, Pt. 2 – 1950-54 The “Juke In The Back” presents part 2 in our 3 part series on Aladdin Records, one of the most important independent labels of the pre-rock era. Part 2 will pick up the Aladdin Records Story in 1950 and carry it through til rock n’ roll began hitting the mainstream in 1953-54. This week, we’ll hear more hits from Aladdin’s early hit-makers, Amos Milburn and Charles Brown. We’ll also dig

en-US

59:00

Episode #847 – Aladdin Records, Pt. 1 – 1945-49

Juke In The Back ·

2026/07/26

Air Week: July 27-August 2, 2026Aladdin Records, Pt. 1 – 1945-49 The “Juke In The Back” begins a three part special on one of the most important record labels of the pre-rock era, Aladdin Records. Eddie and Leo Mesner started Aladdin as Philo Records in 1945. It was one of the first independent labels on the West Coast and sought to fill in the R&B void left by major labels like Victor, Decca and Columbia. The Mesners hired Maxwell Davis to help with musical

en-US

59:00

Episode #846 – Jay McShann

Juke In The Back ·

2026/07/19

Air Week: July 20-26, 2026 Jay McShann Jay McShann was a pioneer of Rhythm & Blues, cutting his teeth as a swing bandleader, arriving in Kansas City just as it was becoming a jazz mecca. In 1937, he heard the young Charlie Parker and asked him to join his band. “Bird” was on McShann’s first records, done for Decca in 1941 including the smash, “Confessin’ The Blues,” which featured vocalist Walter Brown. McShann was a discoverer of talented

en-US

59:00

Episode #845 – The Influence of “Junker’s Blues” and...

Juke In The Back ·

2026/07/12

Air Week: July 13-19, 2026 The Influence of “Junker’s Blues” and R&B Telephone Songs The “Juke In The Back” is jumpin’ this week as we take a look at the history and influence of the Champion Jack Dupree classic, “Junker’s Blues.” He learned the tune from New Orleans boogie woogie pianist Drive ‘Em Down, but it was Dupree’s recording that influenced Fats Domino, Lloyd Price and Professor Longhair. We’ll also make some long distance rhythm & blues phone calls from

en-US

59:00

Episode #844 – Parrot Records

Juke In The Back ·

2026/07/05

Air Week: July 6-12, 2026 Parrot Records This week, “Juke In The Back” focuses on a tiny Chicago R&B record label with a big sound; Parrot Records. The label was started by Chicago DJ Al Benson in late 1952 and it closed its doors in 1956. During its period of operation, Parrot recorded some smokin’ R&B with Willie Mabon, Mabel Scott and J.B. Lenoir and smooth vocal group sounds from The Flamingos, the 5 Thrills and the Orchids. Matt The Cat highlights both

en-US

59:00

Episode #843 – 250th 4th of July R&B Picnic

Juke In The Back ·

2026/06/29

Air Week: June 29-July 5, 2026 250th 4th of July R&B Picnic This week, “Juke In The Back” waves the banner high in celebration of America’s 250th birthday with one of America’s great contributions to the world. No, it’s not a representative democracy, motion pictures, space flight or a free economy, but its cuisine. America’s food in song with some good ol’ red, white and Rhythm & Blues. Dig in on an hour of classic R&B about hot dogs, cole slaw, potato salad, ribs and ice

en-US

59:00

Episode #842 – Chuck Berry, Pt. 3 – 1958

Juke In The Back ·

2026/06/21

Air Week: June 22-28, 2026 Chuck Berry, Pt. 3 – 1958 Chuck Berry has been called the “Father of Rock n’ Roll” and with good reason. He took the blues of T-Bone Walker and B.B. King, the guitar riffs of Carl Hogan and mixed it with the fiddle and Western Swing music of Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys. Then he rolled it all into one big sonic blast. Rhythm & Blues become Rock n’ Roll when Chuck Berry began writing songs aimed at teenagers, finally

en-US

59:00

Episode #841 – Chuck Berry, Pt. 2 – 1956-57

Juke In The Back ·

2026/06/14

Air Week: June 15-21, 2026Chuck Berry, Pt. 2 – 1956-57 Chuck Berry has been called the “Father of Rock n’ Roll” and with good reason. He took the blues of T-Bone Walker and B.B. King, the guitar riffs of Carl Hogan and mixed it with the fiddle and Western Swing music of Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys. Then he rolled it all into one big sonic blast. Rhythm & Blues become Rock n’ Roll when Chuck Berry began writing songs aimed at teenagers, finally

en-US

59:00

Episode #840 – Chuck Berry, Pt. 1 – 1955-56

Juke In The Back ·

2026/06/07

Air Week: June 8-14, 2026Chuck Berry, Pt. 1 – 1955-56 Chuck Berry has been called the “Father of Rock n’ Roll” and with good reason. He took the blues of T-Bone Walker and B.B. King, the guitar riffs of Carl Hogan and mixed it with the fiddle and Western Swing music of Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys. Then he rolled it all into one big sonic blast. Rhythm & Blues become Rock n’ Roll when Chuck Berry began writing songs aimed at teenagers, finally

en-US

59:00

Episode #839 – Arthur Lee Maye & The Crowns

Juke In The Back ·

2026/05/31

Air Week: June 1-7, 2026 Arthur Lee Maye & The Crowns Arthur Lee Maye did something that few had ever done. He concurrently had a career as a R&B singer, leading the LA-based group Arthur Lee Maye & The Crowns while also playing minor and major league baseball as an outfielder for the Milwaukee Braves. Both of his careers virtually began in 1954 and since Lee Maye was busy playing baseball from April until October, he could only make records during the off-season. These

en-US

59:00

Episode #838 – Imperial Records, Pt. 11 – 1957-58

Juke In The Back ·

2026/05/24

Air Week: May 25-31, 2026 Imperial Records, Pt. 11 – 1957-58 Imperial Records was a major player among the indie labels of the late 1940s and the entirety of the 1950s. Started in Los Angeles in 1946 by Lew Chudd, a Canadian raised in Harlem, Imperial began filling the ethnic and cultural voids left by the majors at the time. Chudd knew there was a large market for Latino Music in America, so he headed to Mexico City and recorded some Mexican jump bands that sold very well. He then

en-US

148 results

Similar Podcasts

Music History Today Network

Music History Today Podcast Network

Ridiculous Rock Record Reviews

R4 and SOA Collaborative

Follow Your Dream - Music And Much More!

Robert Miller

Women of Substance Music Podcast

Bree Noble

The Grunge Bible Podcast

Grunge Bible