"Rocket 88" was first recorded in Memphis, Tennessee, in March 1951. The recording was credited to "Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats," who were actually Ike Turner and his Kings of Rhythm.

Brenston sang the lead vocal and is officially listed as the songwriter. Turner led the band and is credited by some sources as the composer.

"Rocket 88" was inspired by the Oldsmobile 88, which because of its relatively small size, light weight, and advanced overhead-valve high-compression V8 engine is widely considered to be the first muscle car.

The single reached number one on the Billboard R & B chart, and the song was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1991, the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.