“Rocket ’88” may not be found on Sounds of the Seventies or other so called rock ‘n roll compilations, but according to Mitch Woods, it should be. Woods believes the tune was the first rock ‘n roll song ever created, and admires the history so much that he decide to name his band after it.

“The song came out in the late 40’s and early 50’s, which happens to be the era that we are most influenced by,” Woods said. “It also relates to the 88 keys on a piano.”

Mitch Woods and his Rocket ’88s bring their “rock-a-boogie” style of music to the M-Shop on Saturday night. The ’88s, originally out of San Fransico, have been touring all over America, Canada and Europe in support of their latest release, Shakin’ the Shack. The band was most recently in Australia.

“I describe our music as a combo of jump blues, New Orleans rhythm and blues, and boogie woogie,” Woods said. “We focus on the early roots of rock ‘n roll.”

Woods and his quartet play mostly originals from their four recordings. Classics from the early rock era such as “House of Blue Lights” and “River Rock-a-Billy,” are also added to the band’s set. Woods calls the covers “really old, updated versions of songs.

“There is nothing like a live show. We usually get the crowd up and dancing, having a good time,” Woods added.

The ’88s were formed from the breaking up of the David Braumburg band back in 1981. Woods’ self-titled debut was released in 1984. He has played with rock ‘n roll greats, John Lee Hooker on Boom Boom and John Hammond on Hammond’s grammy-nominated self-titled release.

Woods’ normal lineup includes drummer Wes Starr, bassist Steve Wolf and guitarist Derrick Erving

“We are all very familiar with the style of music,” Woods said. “I usually present a bare bone arrangement with some idea of what we want to write, and everyone has a chance to put in their two cents.”

Woods and the ’88s highlighted the Mississippi Blues Festival in the Quad Cities two years ago, but are new to the Ames area. Woods is hoping to bring many students in for their performance.

“We really have a wide range of age groups at our shows,” Woods said.

“Parents bring their kids and kids bring their parents, so it’s really pretty neat. We also have a group of swing dancers that follow us around.”

Woods and his cohorts are planning to record in the San Francisco Bay area soon. The band will continue following their closest influences, including Ike Turner, T-bone Walker, Albert Ammons, Pete Johnson, Mead Lux Lewis and Professor Long Hair.

“We truly define the ‘old style’ rock that is becoming more and more popular to college students,” Woods said.

Mitch Woods and his Rocket ’88s are scheduled to play at the M-Shop at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.

Tickets are $8, $5 for students. And, as always, the show is all-ages.