Many contenders for the first rock ‘n’ roll record in 1954, according to Dawson and Propes:

• In July 1954 Elvis released his first record, “That’s All Right”/”Blue Moon of Kentucky.”  In September he released “Good Rockin’ Tonight”/”I Don’t Care if the Sun Don’t Shine.”  Unclear if anyone outside of the South heard these Sun releases.

• “Sh-Boom” entered the Billboard Pop chart in August 1954.  The original version by the Chords, the cover version by the Crew Cuts, and the takeoff by Stan Freburg were all listed.

• (“We’re Gonna) Rock Around the Clock” by Bill Haley and His Comets.  This song wouldn’t hit the charts until it was used on the soundtrack of the film “Blackboard Jungle.”  See 1955 below.  Haley’s “Shake, Rattle and Roll” hit the Billboard Chart on August 21, 1954.  “Dim Dim the Lights” would hit the Pop chart in November and the R&B chart in January 1955.

• “Riot in Cell Block #9” by the Robins (precursors to the Coasters)

• “Earth Angel (Will You be Mine)” by the Penguins

• “Tweedle Dee” by LaVern Baker and the Gliders

• “Pledging My Love” by Johnny Ace

• “I’ve Got a Woman” by Ray Charles