I was listening to Count Basie with Big Joe Williams today and it is some lively music. I don't know if you could say that Basie could have been the Heavy metal of the 40s, 50s, and 60s but I tell you what, Basie's band made Glenn Miller's band look like a bunch of old men playing at a retirement home. Then to top it off, and I mean really put some swing into it you plop Ella smack dab in the middle of Big Joe and Basie and it's a dance party till dawn.

You know Gretchen I'm thinking you might be on to something here, Big Band Metal?

Absolutely, just think of the possibilities.

Yes, in the right hands the possibilities are endless and possible magical. Hmmm Yea?

And add Gene Krupa on drums!   seeing as Ginger Baker was in short pants then.

Karen.

I don't know anything about big band but the blues are the roots of rock n' roll, so that's probably what rockers at the time listened to lol.

I guess that BeBop Jazz would have been the Acid Rock of the day then! Charlie Parker = Jimi Hendrix?

I had to share this once you mentioned Charlie Parker lol