alternatehistory.com

In 1955 Carl Perkins' "Blue Suede Shoes" became the first single in history to grace the top spots on most regional pop, country, and R&B charts. This was notable in that it signified the beginning of rock 'n' roll's hit making legitimacy nation (and world) wide.

But country artists had been doing R&B for years and vice versa so it seems odd that it took that long for a single to combine pop, country, and blues success. Rock and roll should have come about as early as the end of WWII or even before if you look at the musical melting pot that was America in the early to mid twentieth century.

So...

Imagine earlier or alternate crossover singles/albums and discuss?

Bonus points if it includes a racial crossover (for example a major blues artist and a major country and western artist collaborating) before 1955.
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