Just as Black Music Month draws to a close, I learn of a Wilson link to the foundations of both rock and roll and rhythm and blues music.

I’ve been interviewing elders for the past month or so — more about this later — including my father’s Darden High School classmates. I spoke with his good friend Herman McNeil late last week. Mr. McNeil grew up on Hadley Street and was the 11th of 13 children. The brother just above him was David McNeil — of the Dominoes!

The Dominoes’ iconic “Sixty-Minute Man” is considered by some to be the first rock and roll recording, and there is general accord that it was one of the most important to generate and help shape the new genre. Unusually, the bass is the lead vocalist in the song and though David McNeil wasn’t on the recording, he joined the group shortly after the song’s release in 1951 and took on the role of Lovin’ Dan, the Sixty-Minute Man, during his tenure.

More about David McNeil, who also sang with the Larks and the Ink Spots, soon!

Thank you, Mr. McNeil!