Rock and Roll and Cover Songs

There was an enormous controversy over Rock n Roll bands covering songs that were originally written by Blues and R & B artists. An example of this was when Bill Haley and the Comets covered "Shake, Rattle, and Roll" by Big Joe Turner. I personally feel that covering other people's work is okay if it is just for fun or to pay tribute to an artist. However, I feel like it is wrong to release another artist's song to try to gain popularity or make money off of it. Being a songwriter myself, I strongly value the passion and creativity that goes into writing a song. When you come up with something that you feel is really great, it is unlike any other feeling in the world. You put your heart and soul into the music. When an artist comes along and just copies another artist's work, you lose all of the original feeling associated with the song. I feel like the song is not pure anymore. Granted, the cover version might sound better or bring the music to a larger audience but for me it's just not the same. Cover songs will always be lacking something to me. Nothing can imitate the passion that goes into writing an original song.