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For Your Next Argument: The Mount Rushmore of Rock n’ Roll
Before we start, let’s get this out of the way. There is no one right answer. There are hundreds. Maybe thousands.
But – if Rock had a Mount Rushmore – who would be on it?
I’ll get the, um, rock rolling by offering four obvious but worthy candidates. For the purpose of this discussion, let’s focus on folks whose music would be commonly considered rock n’ roll. This eliminates the many (many!) worthy predecessors: folks like Louis Jordon, Bob Wills, Big Joe Turner, Hank Williams, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, and countless others.
Let’s also focus on the first generation. The founders. The 1950s. Our nominees fused the main ingredients that made rock: Country, Blues, Gospel, and R&B.
With that in mind, let me nominate:
Chuck Berry: The Architect
If rock ‘n’ roll had blueprints, they would be drawn with Berry’s guitar riffs and storytelling lyrics. His songwriting captured the youthful energy of post-war America, crafting hits like Johnny B. Goode, Maybellene, and Roll Over Beethoven. Berry merged rhythm and blues with a distinct swagger, creating a sound that spoke directly to teenagers craving excitement and rebellion.
And his guitar work is in the DNA of just about every player who came after him. The riffs. The swing. The concision. With his signature duckwalk and impeccable showmanship, Berry was not just an influential musician—he was a performer who understood the power of presence. His contributions laid the groundwork for every aspiring rock artist, proving that guitar-driven music could define an era.
Buddy Holly: The Songwriter and Visionary
Buddy Holly may have had a tragically short career, but his impact on rock ‘n’ roll is immeasurable. With horn-rimmed glasses and a boyish charm, Holly helped bridge rock’s early rebellious spirit with structured, melodic songwriting. His ability to craft emotionally resonant lyrics set the stage for future artists who sought more than just high-energy dance tunes.
Songs like Peggy Sue and That’ll Be The Day showcased Holly’s knack for storytelling, while his pioneering work with The Crickets introduced the concept of the self-contained rock band—one that wrote, performed, and produced its own music. This innovation became the blueprint for bands like The Rolling Stones and The Beach Boys. And let’s not forget his Fender Stratocaster.
His later work, like True Love Ways, hinted at the lusher, orchestral flavors that would become as much a part of rock as four-on-the-floor drums. Holly’s influence transcended his era, shaping rock musicians long after his untimely passing.
Little Richard: The Wildman
Little Richard embodied the sheer unfiltered energy of rock ‘n’ roll. From his frenetic piano playing to his electrifying performances, he was the genre’s most exuberant trailblazer. With a voice that could shake the rafters, Little Richard’s songs burst with enthusiasm—tracks like Tutti Frutti, Long Tall Sally, and Good Golly Miss Molly became anthems of unrestrained joy and excitement.
Richard also played a pivotal role in breaking racial barriers in the music industry. His flamboyant style challenged norms, inspiring countless artists to embrace individuality. Musicians like David Bowie and Prince took cues from Little Richard’s unapologetic self-expression, proving his impact reached far beyond his own era.
Elvis Presley: The King
Elvis was, to paraphrase Sun Records’ Sam Phillips, the magical fusion of white country and black R&B.
With his charismatic performances, unmatched vocal range, and genre-blending style, he made rock accessible to the masses. Hits like Heartbreak Hotel, Jailhouse Rock, and Hound Dog showcased his ability to take existing musical forms—blues, gospel, country—and transform them into something fresh and thrilling.
Elvis’s influence extended beyond music; he changed pop culture forever. His presence in film, television, and live performances solidified the notion that rock was more than sound—it was an experience. Sure, he later became a parody of himself — and Colonel Tom steered him in less-than-noble directions — but the earthquake of his early days is still shaking.
And now it’s your turn. Who’s on your hill?
-Al Cattabiani
Photo: Original illustration by Blaise Del Gato with some digital assistance
Definitely these four! But we have to give an honorable mention I think to the Everly Brothers and Roy Orbison. Maybe the Mount Rushmore of rock ‘n’ roll can have six hands instead of four?
For sure, the list of worthy nominees is long. We need more mountains!
I’ve got no problem with your proposed figures, but maybe the whole thing is a misguided effort. Rock ‘n roll was a cultural movement created by quite a large cast of characters. Often overlooked are: 1) Bill Haley, whose only problem is that he didn’t have the right look for RNR; and 2) the guys who developed RNR’s blacker cousin, jump blues, chief among them Louis Jordan.
Absolutely no argument there! We offer this in the spirit of a conversation-starter among musical friends. Plus, we wanted to see the illustration…
Going to need a bigger mountain 🙂
Great list, Al. You nailed it.
I think I would Jerry Lee Lewis, Phil and Don Everly, Fats Domino, Bill Haley and Dion DiMucci on the next rung.
Great choices on your part, too!
These artists were making music half a decade or so before I started listening to music, with the British Invasion. I know there work pretty comprehensively and certainly don’t disagree with your premise. But I will give my own personal Mt. Rushmore.
The Beatles – When I saw them on the Ed Sullivan show, the second week, my eyes and mouth flew open as if I had just had pizza for the first time. They brought me to a world I did not know existed, and they began my new life that could not exist without music. From the energy of She Loves You to the gorgeous harmonies of If I Fell, straight through their catalogue to the magic of when John and Paul could still collaborate, on I’ve Got a Feeling, and then Let it Be, the song that brings me great peace, especially in today’s world, well, I know I am not alone in saying the Beatles were the greatest.
Jackson Browne – When I first heard Doctor, My Eyes, I knew I was hearing something very special. His first album absolutely moved me. Looking Into You became, and still is, my second all-time favorite song, one that I wanted to sing to my wife at our wedding. And then the albums kept coming, the first three each better than the previous. I don’t know how someone could have the insight to write a song like These Days at the age of 16. And then the Late for the Sky album, well, a masterpiece with soothing music but lyrics that are more poetic, more inner-looking, more brilliant than anyone should be able to write. While none of his albums, for me, approached the brilliance of LFTS, I absolutely love them all, and find many gems on each one.
Badfinger – Who, you might ask? Everyone knows they were the first band signed to Apple Records and was their biggest artist. Sadly, most people only know their four hits, and maybe some know that they wrote the song that became a zillion seller for Nilsson, Without You. But this was a band that could do it all. Great electric, great acoustic, often blended together in the same songs. Great lyrics, great musicianship, whether rockers or ballads. Listen to the brilliance of Perfection, or the simple but profound lyrics of We’re For the Dark. Badfinger, as the book and cd were titled, was truly a tragic tale. They played with all the Beatles on various projects; I saw them several times, including as the acoustic section at George’s Concert for Bangladesh. My second favorite band, whose last surviving member passed away last week.
Warren Zevon – Another brilliant songwriter, sometimes chaotic, sometimes amusing, sometimes just so achingly beautiful and emotional. How someone can write both Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner and Reconsider Me, well, it is a testament to his talent. He had a sting of albums that no one but his devoted followers know about. He was a troubled individual, but much loved, and I am so happy that he will be finally inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Too late, and sadly posthumous, but he’ll be there.
All great choices. There’d be a lot of faces on your mountain!
Al. Focusing on the 1950s is essential, as it was a pivotal period in R&R history. For discussion, I am proposing one unconventional nominee for a Mt. Rushmore representation in rock music:
**George Washington** – Like the father of our country, this individual laid the groundwork for every aspiring rock artist, proving that guitar-driven music could define an era. My nominee for G.W. is Chuck Berry.
**Thomas Jefferson** – Similar to Thomas Jefferson, whose Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the United States and symbolizes growth, this courageous figure brought rock and roll to enthusiastic teenagers across America and popularized the term “rock and roll.” My nominee for T.J. is DJ Alan Freed.
**Teddy Roosevelt** – In the same way Theodore Roosevelt’s style and innovative leadership energized the rapid growth of America, these artists provided similar energy to rock and roll during its explosive growth period. My nominees for T.R. are Little Richard and Elvis Presley. (It’s a tough choice; I might need a coin toss to decide between them.)
**Abraham Lincoln** – This unassuming-looking yet incredibly talented and rebellious visionary was also taken from us far too soon. My nominee for A.L. is Buddy Holly.
It’s important to remember that during the 1950s, R&R was condemned as “evil” by parents, politicians, religious leaders, and law enforcement. In the end, Alan Freed faced the consequences of standing up against these forces; without his promotion, the music may have died.
This is a fantastic way to look at it! Thanks so much.
Can’t believe with Buddy Holly you cited The Beach Boys and the Stones, but didn’t mention the Beatles, who after all named themselves in honor of him. But I agree with your Rushmore.
Of course this is going to be a subject peopled with numerous candidates. I can’t dispute Chuck Berry, and the other three you nominated are each worthy of consideration. I believe Fats Domino is entitled to a place in the pantheon, and not to take anything away from him, (personal opinion) perhaps ahead of Elvis. Nice article, and a fruitful subject.