I-435 West KC-KS in Kansas City in Wyandotte County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Big Joe Turner/Pete Johnson

Vocalist & Boogie-Woogie Pianist

— Kansas City Jazz —

Big Joe Turner/Pete Johnson Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Jason Voigt, May 26, 2022

1. Big Joe Turner/Pete Johnson Marker

Inscription. Joseph Vernon "Big Joe" Turner, Jr. was born on May 18, 1911 in Kansas City, Missouri. He worked as a singing bartender at the Sunset Club, where boogie-woogie pianist Pete Johnson (born March 24, 1904 in Kansas City) played. Turner and Johnson teamed up and moved to New York, sparking a boogie-woogie craze. In 1939 they played an extended engagement at Café Society. In 1940, they recorded Piney Brown Blues with Decca Records. Turner recorded Shake, Rattle and Roll for Atlantic in 1955.

Erected by Legends Outlets.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. A significant historical date for this entry is March 24, 1904.

Location. 39° 7.576′ N, 94° 49.663′ W. Marker is in Kansas City, Kansas, in Wyandotte County. It is in I-435 West KC-KS. Marker can be reached from Village West Parkway. Marker is on the grounds of Kansas Legends Outlets shopping/entertainment complex. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1865 Village West Pkwy, Kansas City KS 66109, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Eva Jessye (here, next to this marker); Merle Evans (a few steps from this marker); The Golden Mean (a few steps from this marker); Samuel Edward Ramey

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

(a few steps from this marker); "Jay" McShann (a few steps from this marker); Julia Lee (within shouting distance of this marker); Coleman "Hawk" Hawkins (within shouting distance of this marker); Bennie Moten (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kansas City.

Regarding Big Joe Turner/Pete Johnson. This is one of several sidewalk plaques placed on the grounds of Kansas Legends Outlets shopping/entertainment complex, which highlight notable people and inventions that came from the state of Kansas.

Also see . . .
1. Big Joe Turner on Wikipedia. Turner (1911-1985) was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. (Submitted on July 8, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

2. Pete Johnson on Wikipedia. Johnson (1904-1967) and Turner are widely credited for spearheading the rock and roll sound, as well as creating the genre's first recordings, including "Rocket 88 Boogie" (which would inspire Jackie Brenston's "Rocket 88" song) and "Roll 'Em Pete". (Submitted on July 8, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Photographed By Jason Voigt, May 26, 2022

2. Big Joe Turner/Pete Johnson Marker

Marker is on the grounds of Kansas Legends Outlets

Credits. This page was last revised on February 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 8, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 84 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 8, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.