"Rhythm and blues"; "rhythm blue(s)"

[Bonnie Taylor-Blake]

Obituaries of Jerry Wexler are crediting the legendary record producer with
coining "rhythm and blues" in 1949 while writing for *Billboard*.  (I
presume that OED2's earliest example ["rhythm and blues records"], from the
25 June 1949 issue of *Billboard*, would be one of Wexler's uses.)

In March 2007, Fred Shapiro placed "rhythm and blues" to 1935, where it was
used to describe some Mills Brothers' numbers (link far below).  Fred's find
makes clear that the 1949 appearance was simply a popularizing of a term
that had been around since (at least) the mid-'30s.

Given the (incorrect) claim that Wexler originated "rhythm and blues" while
at *Billboard*, I think it's interesting that ProQuest Historical shows that
bandleader Lucky Millinder was conducting talent searches on behalf of RCA
Victor in 1947 and 1948, looking for performers in "the rhythm and blues
field."  In April 1949, a full-page ad for RCA Victor 45s that appeared in
the *New York Times* clearly mentions a "Rhythm and Blues" category of
records.


I'm not sure of the significance of this, but "rhythm blues" also appeared
in the 1930s.  In February 1929, the *New York Amsterdam News* announced
that fighter Jack Johnson was slated to appear in "Crazy Rhythm Blues," a
revue that was also to feature dancers, at the Lincoln Theater.  The Rhythm
Blues Orchestra performed in Tarrytown, NY, in April 1933, at least
according to the same paper.  In December 1933, the *Los Angeles Times*
announced that the Mills Brothers had been signed for a one-week show at the
Paramount Theater.  No mention there of "rhythm and blues," but the
Tantilizin' Rhythm Blues Band also performed in this series.  (In February
1937, the *Chicago Daily Tribune* pronounced that "rhythm blue" was "a new
blue tint that is taking the town."  The *New York Times* had introduced its
readers to this color in April 1936.)

-- Bonnie

"Rhythm and blues" in 1935:

http://listserv.linguistlist.org/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0703C&L=ADS-L&P=R1551&D=0&
I=-3&m=52312

or

http://tinyurl.com/5eyvob

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