Oklahoma Rock and Roll: Early Influences

On Saturday May 2, the Oklahoma History Center will unveil its Oklahoma rock and roll exhibit, Another Hot Oklahoma Night.

Every day this week, we hope to break down different eras in Oklahoma rock and roll and bring you some important acts from that time. Today, we focus on early influences.

While it’s impossible for us to list all of the important acts of this era in a single post (we’ll let the history exhibit do that), here’s a few we consider important.

Charlie Christian

• The Original Guitar Hero
• Raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
• Notable song: “Seven Come Eleven”
• Influenced: T-Bone Walker, B.B. King
• Member: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Down Beat Jazz Hall of Fame, Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame

.

Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys

• King of Western Swing
• Lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma
• Notable song: “New San Antonio Rose”
• Influenced: Buck Owens, Merle Haggard
• Member: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Country Music Hall of Fame, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame

.

Woody Guthrie

• Dust Bowl Troubadour
• Born and raised in Okemah, Oklahoma
• Notable song: “This Land Is Your Land”
• Influenced: Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen
• Member: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame

.

The Collins Kids

• Born in Tahlequah & Tulsa; raised in Pretty Water
• Notable song: “Hoy Hoy”
• Member: Rockabilly Hall of Fame

.

Wanda Jackson

• Queen of Rockabilly
• Born in Maud, Oklahoma
• Notable song: “Let’s Have a Party”
• Influenced: Tanya Tucker, Neko Case
• Member: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, Rockabilly Hall of Fame

Learn more about Oklahoma rock and roll history this Saturday, May 2 at Another Hot Oklahoma Night at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City.

from Oklahomarock.com