Big John Greer Rocks is an explosive journey into the heart of postwar rhythm and blues - where wailing tenor saxophones, pounding backbeats, and raw energy paved the way for early Rock 'n' Roll. Few artists embodied this sound as completely as Big John Greer: a powerhouse saxophonist, a commanding blues shouter, and one of the most distinctive figures of the early New York R&B scene. Greer’s rise was anything but accidental. His professional polish came in the sharply disciplined orchestra of Lucky Millinder, one of the era’s most important bandleaders. Although Greer sang occasionally with Millinder, his recording debut came in 1948 with the humorous Wineola for Bobby Shad’s Sittin’ In With label. From April 1949 onward, Big John Greer & The Rhythm Rockers became a cornerstone of RCA Victor’s R&B roster, producing a remarkable run of dancefloor anthems. This collection draws heavily from those years, featuring red-hot sides such as Rocking Jenny Jones, Red Juice, Big Rock, Clambake Boogie, and the autobiographical crowd-pleaser I’m The Fat Man. Also included is Greer’s signature tune Got You On My Mind, a surprisingly melodic blues that narrowly missed topping the R&B charts in spring 1952. When RCA launched its Groove subsidiary in early 1954, Greer moved seamlessly into the new decade, revamping the prewar classic Bottle It Up And Go and answering Chuck Berry with Come Back Maybelline. A major highlight of these sessions is the presence of Mickey Baker, one of the most important studio guitarists of the early 1950s. Baker - who later formed the duo Mickey & Sylvia with Sylvia Vanderpool and topped the R&B charts in 1957 with Love Is Strange - contributed his instantly recognizable guitar work to numerous recordings from 1953 onward. Greer’s combos also featured heavyweight saxophonists Sam “The Man” Taylor and Big Al Sears, defining voices of the honking tenor tradition. After moving to King Records in 1956, Greer kept the party going with jumpers like Record Hop, Come Back Uncle John, and Duck Walk. Big John Greer Rocks captures an artist at full power - rocking alongside the elite of postwar R&B.
