Louis Jordan's witty, swinging R&B sides made him not only one of the most successful African-American artists of the early 20th century, but also a primary influence on rock 'n' roll and soul music. He began his solo career in 1938, and produced 57 R&B chart hits for Decca Records between '42 and '51 that won favor with both black and white audiences. Jordan's antic, shuffling rhythm was adopted by many early rock performers, including Bill Haley and Chuck Berry, while his energetic stage presence would influence a host of R&B players, most notably James Brown.