Rock and roll originated from the blending of jazz and blues music styles in the 1920s-1930s. While black artists pioneered these genres, white musicians gained more popularity performing the same music for white audiences. In the 1950s, Alan Freed helped popularize rock and roll music by playing rhythm and blues songs for mixed audiences on the radio. He coined the term "rock and roll" to describe this rollicking new musical tradition.

1. History of Rock and Roll

5. Alan Freed Inducted 1986

7. “ Midnight Special” " Midnight Special " is an old folk song originally popularized by Leadbelly . Johnny Rivers and Creedence Clearwater Revival are well-known for their versions. Also big artists such as ABBA , Van Morrison & Paul McCartney have covered the song.

8. Lead Belly (1885?-1949) “ Midnight Special” is historically performed in the country-blues style. “ Midnight Special” is performed in first person and is a tale of how the songwriter is imprisoned. Inducted 1988

9. Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) Inducted 1993

14. Elvis Inducted 1986

16. Ed Sullivan– Elvis Debut