Rock and Roll Radio / That's Tough

Released in 1958, this single from Joe Boot and the Fabulous Winds may be the first Rock ‘N’ Roll record ever produced in the Pacific Northwest. Both songs on the single are originals, written by Joe “Boot” Thomas (b. unknown) and Floyd Standifer (1929-2007).

Joe Boot and the Fabulous Winds originally sang Gospel music under the name Southwinds, but after adding the titular Boot, the group began performing Rhythm and Blues, and renamed themselves. The group recorded their Rock ‘N’ Roll single at Dimensional Sound in Seattle, Washington, and released it under the recording studio’s in-house label Celestial. In addition to the vocals from Joe Boot and the Fabulous Winds, the songs received instrumental backing by the Floyd Standifer Orchestra. Around the same time as they were recording this single, the group performed with Little Richard (1932-2020) at Seattle’s Moore Theater.