^
This thread must have Chuck Berry in it, one of the pioneers of Rock n Roll who combined Country and Rhythm &Blues. I think he is the first black performer that entertains both black and white audience in the 50's.
Indeed, it's shameful he wasn't included sooner.
I think if you had to give just one musician credit for creating the sound we know as rock-and-roll it's him. Followed closely by Elvis and this guy (who was also hugely influential in blues):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17W7496230YJust look at the fuckin pure, raw energy he exudes in his music. Truly one of the greats.
And speaking of Bo Diddley, a cool song and cool video by another musician 30 years later, featuring a Bo Diddley guitar riff on the song and the great Bo Diddley himself as an actor in the video (sorry if you can't see this Brits but it's the only one on YouTube):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyhJ69mD7xI&ob=av2nTwo other big influences on the rock and roll sound even though they weren't technically rock themselves:
Johnny Cash
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4T7sU3A2m18Muddy Waters (in this one also borrowing the Bo Diddly riff from his song "I'm a Man")
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5IOou6qN1o