'That's All Right' voted the most pivotal moment in rock history

With 'That's All Right', at last, appearing on a 'hits' compilation aimed at the general public, it is with perfect timing that the song has been voted by Mojo magazine readers as the most pivotal moment in rock history. The fact that the song was a re-working, albeit radical, of a previous hit by Arthur Crudup, makes it all the more fascinating.

This is just another acknowledgment of the importance of that precious moment, on July 5th 1954, and also a nice commemoration for producer Sam Phillips, who was there to witness it all, and who sadly died earlier this year.

Interesting The Beatles came in fourth for their performance on the Ed Sullivan Show. (Surely their first, self-penned, Number 1 was more pivotal?).

Bob Dylan's switch from acoustic to electric guitars in 1965 came second, ahead of the release of The Clash's debut single 'White Riot' in 1977.

The Rolling Stones were number five with their release of 'Jumpin Jack Flash'. Again I would have thought that their 'I Can't Get No Satisfaction', which reflected youth disenchantment, of the time would have been more important?

Nirvana's 1990 tour was the most recent event in the top 10, at number 9.

MOJO'S TOP 5 Pivotal Rock Moments

1. Elvis Presley records 'That's All Right', 1954

2. Bob Dylan goes electric, 1965

3. The Clash release 'White Riot', 1977

4. The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show, 1964

5. The Rolling Stones release 'Jumpin' Jack Flash', 1968

Elvis recorded 'That's All Right' at the age of 19 after going into the Memphis Sun Studios the previous year to record an acetate, supposedly for his mother's birthday. When Elvis returned a year later and recorded his version of 'That's All Right', along with bassist Bill Black and guitarist Scotty Moore, he was credited with inventing Rock 'n' Roll.

Scotty Moore told Mojo: "It was still too early to tell what was gonna happen but soon enough we realised that was had a real product on our hands."

Songs and performances by Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon, Neil Young, and Led Zeppelin are also included in the Mojo top 10.

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