by H. B. Auld, Jr.

Today is a special day in rock and roll history. Today is the anniversary of the birth of blues musician Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup. Not familiar with the name? He wrote and recorded the song that eventually started the career of the biggest rock and roll star in history.

Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup was born August 24, 1905, in Forest, MS (Some sources say he was born August 25th). He died in Nassawadox, VA, March 28, 1974, at the age of 68 years. Arthur recorded the song “That’s All Right (Mama)” in 1946. Eight years later that song started the career of Elvis Presley when he re-recorded that old blues number on July 5, 1954, in Sam Phillips’ Sun studio in Memphis.

Elvis’ version was released under Arthur’s original title, “That’s All Right,” and lists the record’s performers as Elvis, Scotty (Moore,) and Bill (Black). The Presley version was twice as fast as Arthur’s version and is considered by some as one of the first rock and roll records. It was released on July 19, 1954, with “Blue Moon of Kentucky” on the flip or “B” Side.

Arthur’s “That’s All Right” went on to be recorded by many other artists, but he claimed he never made a dime in royalties from the song.

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