 Brenston had a significant influence on Bill Haley and the Comets.In 2007, Rev-Ola released a compilation of twenty-four vintage sides recorded by Brenston.Of his legacy, the music historian Richie Unterberger wrote,

On June 25, 2019, "The New York Times Magazine" listed Jackie Brenston among hundreds of artists whose material was reportedly destroyed in the 2008 Universal fire.