Matt The Cat presents the soul that came before rock and roll: 1950s rhythm and blues. Each week, this underrated and rollicking music plays on that old Rockola Jukebox in the back. If you wanted to hear rhythm & blues during the 1950s, you couldn’t get it from the juke box in the front. No, no! In…
Rosie's Juke Joint, Salem, MA USA
The Juke In The Back podcast is an absolute gem for anyone who appreciates real and pure music. Hosted by the legendary Matt the Cat, this podcast takes listeners on a journey back in time to the golden era of Rhythm and Blues. The show not only features excellent music but also provides fascinating background history on the artists, adding depth and context to each song.
One of the best aspects of this podcast is the selection of music. Matt the Cat has an incredible talent for curating a playlist that captures the essence of 40s and 50s R&B. Each episode is filled with timeless classics and hidden gems that will make any true fan of this music jump up and dance. The passion and knowledge that Matt brings to each episode is evident, and his ability to tell stories about these artists adds an extra layer of enjoyment to the listening experience.
Unfortunately, one of the worst aspects of this podcast is that it is no longer available on XM radio. Many loyal fans were disappointed when XM merged with Sirius and Matt's show was discontinued. However, thanks to iTunes, fans can now enjoy Juke In The Back as a podcast. This makes it more accessible and convenient for listeners, but it still remains a shame that such a fantastic show isn't given more air time or recognition.
In conclusion, The Juke In The Back podcast is a must-listen for anyone who loves Rhythm and Blues from the 40s and 50s. Matt the Cat's extensive knowledge, passion, and love for this music shine through in every episode. Whether you're discovering these classic songs for the first time or reliving memories from your youth, this podcast will transport you back to a time when music was real and pure. Keep rockin' that rhythm and blues!
Air Week: April 21-27, 2025 The Griffin Brothers This week, “Juke In The Back” features The Griffin Brothers, one of the unsung Rhythm & Blues groups from the early 1950s. Jimmy and “Buddy” Griffin began in their hometown of Norfolk, VA in the late '40 playing jump blues. They settled in Washington, DC and were […]
Air Week: April 14-20, 2025 15th Anniversary Special! Let's get together, throw some nickels in the ol' Rockola Jukebox and celebrate the 15th Anniversary of the “Juke In The Back.” It's hard to believe that Matt The Cat's been droppin' down the plattahs and makin' 'em splattah like pancake battah for 15 years. He couldn't […]
Air Week: April 7-13, 2025 Bobby Mitchell & The Toppers The “Juke In The Back” digs deep into New Orleans Rhythm & Blues this week to focus on Bobby Mitchell & The Toppers, one of the few vocal groups to come out of a city best known for its blues, jazz and cajun roots. The […]
Air Week: March 31-April 6, 2025 Early Etta James Producer Jerry Wexler called Etta James, “The greatest of all modern blues singers.” That's great praise coming from a guy who worked with the greatest of the greats for 50 years. Etta had an amazing talent for mixing a bit of tenderness and heartbreak into her […]
Air Week: March 24-30, 2025 The Heartbeats With so many wonderful vocal groups present during the 1950s, it took a few distinct ones to lead the pack and blaze the trail. The Heartbeats are always right up there with The Clovers, Harptones, Moonglows, Flamingos and the other leaders who carried the torch lit by the […]
Air Week: March 17-23, 2025 Paul Gayten Paul Gayten is one of the unsung heroes of rhythm & blues and one of the many architects of rock n' roll. This week, Matt The Cat spotlights Gayten's great contributions to music on the “Juke In The Back.” Paul Gayten scored the first New Orleans' hit of […]
Air Week: March 10-16, 2025 Chess Records, Pt. 8 – 1957 “Juke In The Back” continues a behemoth, multi-part series on Chess Records. The Chicago record label, founded by 2 Polish immigrant brothers, Leonard and Phil Chess, proved to be one of the most influential and important labels in not only Blues, but also Rhythm […]
Air Week: March 3-9, 2025 Chess Records, Pt. 7 – 1956 “Juke In The Back” continues a behemoth, multi-part series on Chess Records. The Chicago record label, founded by 2 Polish immigrant brothers, Leonard and Phil Chess, proved to be one of the most influential and important labels in not only Blues, but also Rhythm […]
Air Week: February 24-March 2, 2025 Chess Records, Pt. 6 – 1955 “Juke In The Back” continues a behemoth, multi-part series on Chess Records. The Chicago record label, founded by 2 Polish immigrant brothers, Leonard and Phil Chess, proved to be one of the most influential and important labels in not only Blues, but also […]
Air Week: February 17, 2025 Chess Records, Pt. 5 – 1954 “Juke In The Back” continues a behemoth, multi-part series on Chess Records. The Chicago record label, founded by 2 Polish immigrant brothers, Leonard and Phil Chess, proved to be one of the most influential and important labels in not only Blues, but also Rhythm […]
Air Week: February 10-16, 2025 Chess Records, Pt. 4 – 1953 “Juke In The Back” continues a behemoth, multi-part series on Chess Records. The Chicago record label, founded by 2 Polish immigrant brothers, Leonard and Phil Chess, proved to be one of the most influential and important labels in not only Blues, but also Rhythm […]
Air Week: February 3-9, 2025 Chess Records, Pt. 3 – 1952 “Juke In The Back” continues a behemoth, multi-part series on Chess Records. The Chicago record label, founded by 2 Polish immigrant brothers, Leonard and Phil Chess, proved to be one of the most influential and important labels in not only Blues, but also Rhythm […]
Air Week: January 27-February 2, 2025 Chess Records, Pt. 2 – 1950-51 “Juke In The Back” continues a behemoth, multi-part series on Chess Records. The Chicago record label, founded by 2 Polish immigrant brothers, Leonard and Phil Chess, proved to be one of the most influential and important labels in not only Blues, but also […]
Air Week: January 20-26, 2025 Chess Records, Pt. 1 – Aristocrat Records “Juke In The Back” begins a behemoth, multi-part series on Chess Records. The Chicago record label, founded by 2 Polish immigrant brothers, Leonard and Phil Chess, proved to be one of the most influential and important labels in not only Blues, but also […]
Air Week: January 13-19, 2025 Jimmy Reed: 1953-59 Jimmy Reed was a hit-making blues machine back in the 1950s, yet he isn't as well remembered today as some of his contemporaries. This week, Matt The Cat and the “Juke In The Back” dedicate the entire program to this highly influential bluesman. Reed's mid-tempo shuffle was […]
Air Week: January 6-12, 2025 1955: Jukebox Rhythm Review, Pt. 2 Let's journey back 70 years and put the ol' Rockola Jukebox back in the spotlight as we present part 2 of a 2 part feature on the biggest R&B jukebox records of 1955. It was a year of many firsts. 1955 was the first […]
Air Week: December 30, 2024-January 5, 2025 1955: Jukebox Rhythm Review, Pt. 1 Let's journey back 70 years and put the ol' Rockola Jukebox back in the spotlight as we present part 1 of a 2 part feature on the biggest R&B jukebox records of 1955. It was a year of many firsts. 1955 was […]
Air Week: December 23-29, 2024 1945: Jukebox Rhythm Review This week, the “Juke In The Back” brings the jukebox into the spotlight as we journey back 80 years and dig on the top requested jukebox records from the entire year of 1945. This was a pivotal year for Rhythm and Blues Music as 1945 marked […]
Air Week: December 16-22, 2024 Juke Christmas Party! Christmas, like you've never heard it before. This year, the “Juke In The Back” cordially invites you to join us at Rosie's Juke Joint for an intimate Christmas Celebration. Miss Rosie, Bobby The Bobcat and of course, Matt The Cat will be there to make your yuletide […]
Air Week: December 9-15, 2024 Joe Liggins There were so many important figures in post WWII Rhythm & Blues that helped build what would become Rock n' Roll. Today's popular culture has left so many musical pioneers behind and this week the “Juke In The Back” features Joe Liggins, one such pioneer who's been largely […]
Air Week: December 2-8, 2024 Jimmy Liggins Jimmy Liggins didn't have the chart success or popularity of his older brother Joe Liggins, but he did have a killer band, a raw sound and quite possibly the “first rock n' roll record.” Both brothers traveled to California from their native Oklahoma in order to make it […]
Air Week: November 25-December 1, 2024 Buddy & Ella Johnson Bandleader, pianist, composer and sometimes vocalist Buddy Johnson and his chanteuse sister Ella are in the spotlight on this week's “Juke In The Back.” Johnson was a superstar and one of the hottest live acts of the 1940s in the Black Community, but he barely […]
Air Week: November 18-24, 2024 Bo Diddley, Pt. 2 – 1956-59 Last week, the “Juke In The Back” featured every recording made by the innovative BO DIDDLEY during the year 1955. This week, the Juke picks it up in early 1956 and showcases BO DIDDLEY's influential and diverse releases through 1959. He remained mostly off […]
Air Week: November 11-17, 2024 Bo Diddley, Pt. 1 – 1955 This week's “Juke In The Back” takes a look at the breakthrough year of one of rock n' roll's true architects and innovators, Bo Diddley. His first recording session was held at Chess Records in Chicago on March 2nd and 3rd, 1955, where he […]
Air Week: November 4-10, 2024 The Checkers The “Juke In The Back” features another highly underrated R&B vocal group from the 1950s: The Checkers. They never scored a national hit, but they're one of the finest examples of polished 1950s R&B and their story deserves to be shared. The Checkers were formed after tenor Charlie […]
Air Week: October 28-November 3, 2024 Halloween Rhythm & Blues This week, the ol' Rockola Jukebox is haunted by a strange spirit of rhythm & ghouls. Where is Matt The Cat? We don't know, but the spirit tells us he will return next week. In his absence, the “Juke In The Back” still fulfills the […]
Air Week: October 21-27, 2024 King Records, Pt. 10 – Federal Records, Pt. 2 This week, it's part 10 of a 10 part series on the great King Record Label, out of Cincinnati. Syd Nathan, who began putting out records under the King logo in 1943, developed King as a hillbilly music label. After seeing […]
Air Week: October 14-20, 2024 King Records, Pt. 9 – Federal Records, Pt. 1 This week, it's part 9 of a 10-part series on the great King Record Label, out of Cincinnati. Syd Nathan, who began putting out records under the King logo in 1943, developed King as a hillbilly music label. After seeing the […]
Air Week: October 7-13, 2024 King Records, Pt. 8 – 1954-56 This week, it's part 8 of a 10-part series on the great King Record Label, out of Cincinnati. Syd Nathan, who began putting out records under the King logo in 1943, developed King as a hillbilly music label. After seeing the sales potential in […]
Air Week: September 30-October 6, 2024 King Records, Pt. 7 – 1953 This week, it's part 7 of a 10-part series on the great King Record Label, out of Cincinnati. Syd Nathan, who began putting out records under the King logo in 1943, developed King as a hillbilly music label. After seeing the sales potential […]
Air Week: September 23-29, 2024 King Records, Pt. 6 – 1952 This week, it's part 6 of a 10-part series on the great King Record Label, out of Cincinnati. Syd Nathan, who began putting out records under the King logo in 1943, developed King as a hillbilly music label. After seeing the sales potential in […]
Air Week: September 16-22, 2024 King Records, Pt. 5 – 1951 This week, it's part 5 of a 10-part series on the great King Record Label, out of Cincinnati. Syd Nathan, who began putting out records under the King logo in 1943, developed King as a hillbilly music label. After seeing the sales potential in […]
Air Week: September 9-15, 2024 King Records, Pt. 4 – 1949-50 This week, it's part 4 of a 10-part series on the great King Record Label, out of Cincinnati. Syd Nathan, who began putting out records under the King logo in 1943, developed King as a hillbilly music label. After a rough start, he relaunched […]
Air Week: September 2-8, 2024 King Records, Pt. 3 – 1948-49 This week, it's part 3 of a 10-part series on the great King Record Label, out of Cincinnati. Syd Nathan, who began putting out records under the King logo in 1943, developed King as a hillbilly music label. After a rough start, he relaunched […]
Air Week: August 26-September 1, 2024 King Records, Pt. 2 – 1947-48 This week, it's part 2 of a 10-part series on the great King Record Label, out of Cincinnati. Syd Nathan, who began putting out records under the King logo in 1943, developed King as a hillbilly music label. After a rough start, he […]
Air Week; August 19-25, 2024 King Records, Pt. 1 – Queen Records This week, we begin a 10-part series on the great King Record Label, out of Cincinnati. Syd Nathan, who began putting out records under the King logo in 1943, developed King as a hillbilly music label. After a rough start, he relaunched King […]
Air Week: August 12-18, 2024 The Dominoes, Pt. 3 – 1954-57 Billy Ward and his business partner Rose Ann Marks put together The Dominoes in mid-1950 and helped fuel the R&B vocal group scene that would eventually become one of the major building blocks for Rock n' Roll. Ward, who was born Robert Lloyd Williams, […]
Air Week: August 5-11, 2024 The Dominoes, Pt. 2 – 1952-54 Billy Ward and his business partner Rose Ann Marks put together The Dominoes in mid-1950 and helped fuel the R&B vocal group scene that would eventually become one of the major building blocks for Rock n' Roll. Ward, who was born Robert Lloyd Williams, […]
Air Week: July 29-Aug 4, 2024 The Dominoes, Pt. 1 – 1950-52 Billy Ward and his business partner Rose Ann Marks put together The Dominoes in mid-1950 and helped fuel the R&B vocal group scene that would eventually become one of the major building blocks for Rock n' Roll. Ward, who was born Robert Lloyd […]
Air Week: July 22-28, 2024 Clyde McPhatter: 1955-59 Clyde McPhatter had one of the sweetest and most powerful tenor voices in all of Rhythm & Blues and early Rock n' Roll. His issue throughout his 22 year recording career, was getting the recognition he thought he deserved. After singing memorable leads on many hit records […]
Air Week: July 15-21, 2024 Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters The Drifters would become the most successful vocal group in history, charting hit after hit for over 20 years, with no less than a dozen different lead singers. This week, the “Juke In The Back” spotlights The Drifters' first chapter with the great high tenor […]
Air Week: July 8-14, 2024 Tommy Brown Tommy Brown is one of the unsung blues shouters of the Rhythm & Blues Era. His only two charting records were done with the Griffin Brothers on Dot Records in 1951. He'll always be remembered for the #1 smash, “Weepin' & Cryin',” but Brown had so many tremendous […]
Air Week: July 1-7, 2024 4th of July R&B Picnic What's more American than celebrating America's birthday with some good ol' red, white and Rhythm & Blues about THE Fourth of July staple: food? Dig in on an hour of classic R&B about hot dogs, cole slaw, potato salad, ribs and ice cream sung by […]
Air Week: June 24-30, 2024 Rudy Toombs: R&B Songwriter This week, The “Juke In The Back” features the songs of one of R&B's greatest songwriters: Rudy Toombs. This underrated cat wrote some of the most fabulous drinking songs of all-time for Amos Milburn, The Clovers, The Five Keys and a young Johnny “Guitar” Watson. Beyond […]
Air Week: June 17-23, 2024 Oscar McLollie This week, the “Juke” is jumpin' with the honey jumper himself, Oscar McLollie. Born Oscar Lollie, this Louisiana boy went from serving in the military during World War II to servin' up jump blues in Los Angeles Clubs. Mercury Records hired him as one of their West Coast […]
Air Week: June 10-16, 2024 Memphis Slim Memphis Slim dubbed himself the “Ambassador Of The Blues” and for good reason. He spread the gospel of America's music around the world during his almost 50 year career. This week, Matt The Cat and the “Juke In The Back” take a look at Slim's prodigious contribution to […]
Air Week: June 3-9, 2024 The Midnighters, Pt. 3 – The Annie Songs This week, the “Juke In The Back” continues a 3 show look at The Midnighters, one of early R&B's most successful groups. Before they topped the R&B charts with “Work With Me Annie” in 1954, The Midnighters were known as The Royals, […]
Air Week: May 27-June 2, 2024 The Midnighters, Pt. 2 – 1954-56 This week, the “Juke In The Back” continues a 3 show look at The Midnighters, one of early R&B's most successful groups. Before they topped the R&B charts with “Work With Me Annie” in 1954, The Midnighters were known as The Royals, a […]
Air Week: May 20-26, 2024 The Midnighters, Pt. 1 – 1952-54 (The Royals) This week, the “Juke In The Back” begins a 3 show look at The Midnighters, one of early R&B's most successful groups. Before they topped the R&B charts with “Work With Me Annie” in 1954, The Midnighters were known as The Royals, […]
Air Week: May 13-19, 2024 Lowell Fulson This week, the “Juke In The Back” spotlights Lowell Fulson, one of the blues' most versatile and vastly underrated talents. In the late 1940s, Fulson stormed the charts with his first hit “Three O'Clock Blues,” a song that B.B. King would take to the top of the charts […]
Air Week: May 6-12, 2024 Jesse Belvin “Juke In The Back” is proud to dedicate an entire show to Jesse Belvin, one of greatest talents to come out of LA in the 1950s. Belvin was born in Texas, but raised near Central Avenue in Los Angeles, where he soaked up the local R&B scene. After […]
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