Jimmy Preston

Jimmy Preston (August 18, 1913, Chester, Pennsylvania – December 1984, Philadelphia, PA) was an American rhythm & blues bandleader, alto saxophonist, drummer and singer who made an important contribution to early rock and roll.

Preston's first R&B top ten hit was with "Hucklebuck Daddy" in 1949, recorded for Philadelphia's Gotham Records. His main claim to fame was to record, as Jimmy Preston and His Prestonians, the original version of "Rock the Joint" for Gotham in 1949. The sax breaks on "Rock the Joint" were the work of tenor player Danny Turner (1920-1995). “Rock The Joint” was re-recorded by Jimmy Cavallo in 1951, and Bill Haley and the Saddlemen in 1952.