Controversy of Cover Versions

Artists such as Bill Haley, who covered "Shake, Rattle, and Roll" which was originally recorded by Big Joe Turner, changed the lyrics and sound from R&B to Rockabilly. After this transformation, the new version of the song gained more popularity than the original. Were these covers becoming more popular because they were sung by white artists and due to the prejudice society had towards black musicians, or did the new baby boomer generation prefer the new sound of Rockabilly?