Rock and Roll Nicknames

Les Paul

The man who invented the solid-body electric guitar and pioneered multitrack recording; known as "The Tinkerer."

Alan Freed

The Cleveland DJ who coined the term "rock and roll" in 1951 while broadcasting Black music for a multi-racial audience

Scott Joplin

Known for "Maple Leaf Rag," he brought syncopated Black musical styles to a mass audience for the first time

Charley Patton ("The Father of Delta Blues")

Pioneered the Delta blues style and used music for social commentary (e.g., "High Water Everywhere")

Robert Johnson ("King of the Delta Blues")

Legend says he sold his soul at a crossroads to master guitar; also considered the first member of the "27 Club"

Jimmie Rodgers ("The Father of Country Music")

Famous for his "Blue Yodels," he laid the groundwork for the country side of rock

Hank Williams ("Hillbilly Shakespeare")

A legendary songwriter whose "Move It On Over" (1947) is a direct precursor to rock

Frank Sinatra ("The Voice")

A pre-rock superstar who created "groupie culture" despite disliking rock music

Chuck Berry ("The Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll")

Known for the "duck walk," blending country with electric blues, and breaking the color barrier

Little Richard ("The Architect of Rock ‘n’ Roll")

Famous for his wild performance style; said "Elvis may be the King… but I am the Queen"

Bo Diddley ("The Originator")

Known for his rectangular guitar and the influential "Bo Diddley beat"

Buddy Holly

The first great creative White rock artist; led The Crickets and established the guitar-bass-drums band format

Muddy Waters ("The First Blues Superstar")

Put Chess Records on the map and inspired the name of the Rolling Stones

Howlin’ Wolf ("Father of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal")

Known for his raw, powerful sound; one of Chess Records' "Twin Towers"

B.B. King ("The King of Blues")

A Mississippi native who became a global ambassador for blues music

Fats Domino

The first Black rock superstar to cross over to White pop audiences; made piano central to rock

Professor Longhair ("Bach of Rock")

A New Orleans piano master who bridged jazz and R&B

Elvis Presley ("The King of Rock and Roll")

The first teen idol who symbolized rebellion to youth and concern to parents

Sam Phillips

Founder of Sun Records; credited with producing the first true rock ‘n’ roll record

Johnny Cash ("The Man in Black")

Known for rockabilly style focused on themes of travel and prison

Jerry Lee Lewis ("The Killer")

A wild piano performer whose career declined after marrying his 13-year-old cousin

Carl Perkins

First Sun Records artist to sell a million records with "Blue Suede Shoes"

Wanda Jackson ("Queen of Rockabilly")

The "First Lady of Rock ‘n’ Roll," transitioned from country to rock

The Coasters

First "band" inducted into the Rock Hall; created by Leiber & Stoller

The Drifters

Considered the greatest vocal group of the 1950s with smooth harmonies

The Everly Brothers

Known for close harmonies and songs aimed at teenage audiences

Leiber & Stoller

Songwriting duo behind hits like "Hound Dog" and "Jailhouse Rock"

Goffin & King

Brill Building songwriting duo; Carole King later created the album "Tapestry"

Phil Spector ("The Tycoon of Teen")

Producer known for the "Wall of Sound" technique

Ronnie Spector (The Ronettes)

Lead singer known for "Be My Baby" and its iconic drum beat

Tina Turner ("The Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll")

Known for powerful performances and a major comeback at age 44

Cher ("Goddess of Pop")

Started as a backup singer; became a long-lasting superstar in music and film

Ricky Nelson ("The Definitive Elvis Clone")

The first artist labeled a "teen idol" by Life magazine

Les Paul

The Tinkerer

Alan Freed

N/A

Scott Joplin

N/A

Charley Patton

The Father of Delta Blues

Robert Johnson

King of the Delta Blues

Jimmie Rodgers

The Father of Country Music

Hank Williams

Hillbilly Shakespeare

Frank Sinatra

The Voice

Chuck Berry

The Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll

Little Richard

The Architect of Rock ‘n’ Roll

Bo Diddley

The Originator

Buddy Holly

N/A

Muddy Waters

The First Blues Superstar

Howlin’ Wolf

Father of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal

B.B. King

The King of Blues

Fats Domino

N/A

Professor Longhair

Bach of Rock

Elvis Presley

The King of Rock and Roll

Sam Phillips

N/A

Johnny Cash

The Man in Black

Jerry Lee Lewis

The Killer

Carl Perkins

N/A

Wanda Jackson

Queen of Rockabilly

The Coasters

N/A

The Drifters

N/A

The Everly Brothers

N/A

Leiber & Stoller

N/A

Goffin & King

N/A

Phil Spector

The Tycoon of Teen

Ronnie Spector

N/A

Tina Turner

The Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll

Cher

Goddess of Pop

Ricky Nelson

N/A