The 1955 candidates in What Was the First Rock ‘n’ Roll Record? by Jim Dawson and Steve Propes are:

• Chuck Berry’s “Maybelline,” which hit the Billboard Pop and Rhythm & Blues charts in August.  The flip side, “Wee Wee Hours,” would make the R&B chart in September.  “Thirty Days” would hit the R&B chart in October
• “Bo Diddley” by Bo Diddley
• “Tutti Frutti” by Little Richard