Born Joseph Vernon Turner Jr., on May 18, 1911, Big Joe Turner was a relevant figure in the history of music. Known as both [The Boss of the Blues,] and [Big Joe Turner] (due to his 6'2," 300+ lbs stature), Turner was born in Kansas City and first discovered his love of music through involvement in the church. His popularity spanned the blues, boogie-woogie, and even went into the first wave of rock & roll. He was a product of the swinging, wide-open Kansas City scene in the early '30s and even in his teens, he looked mature enough to get into the various K.C. night clubs. During this time, Turner was tending bar and singing when he met up with boogie-piano master, Pete Johnson. The pair performed together for the next decade plus, and appeard with the likes of Big Bill Broonzy, Sonny Terry, the Golden Gate Quartet, Meade Lux Lewis, Albert Ammons, and Count Basie, to name a few.