The Story Behind the Top Ten Chart Hits from the 50's and 60's; The Two Decades That Defined Rock 'n' Roll.
Most readable and often highly entertaining, the prose is lively and uses quotations inventively as narrative technique. To say the book is entertaining is not to underrate its informative credentials. With a year-by-year review of over 291 Top 10 songs from three countries, USA-UK and Ireland, the book contains a year and song index making it easy to dip into your favourite year or song. The introduction also gives a great insight into the dawn of rock and roll. It highlights the transition from rhythm and blues to rock 'n' roll through the medium of radio, tv, and film - an impressive achievement.
---
Having released my first book 'All Together Now, We Love the Beatles' in 2015, I have now followed-up with '(We're Gonna) Rock Around the Clock Tonight!'
Reviewed in the book are the songs that gave life to rock 'n' roll and shaped it into the most vital music of our time. From Bill Haley's 'Rock Around the Clock' in 1955 to the Beatles 'Get Back' in 1969, it offers a rare insight into the impact the top singles had that defined rock 'n' roll during the 50's and 60's.
From the US, the rockabilly rhythms of Elvis Presley, Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent, Bill Haley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Buddy Holly; the soulful rhythm 'n' blues of Little Richard, Sam Cooke and Ray Charles; the great sounds of the Beach Boys, the Righteous Brothers, the Ronettes and the Crystals. Country stars Jim Reeves, Hank Locklin, Johnny Cash, and Patsy Cline. Music legends Roy Orbison and Bob Dylan; the UK's first rock stars Tommy Steele, Billy Fury, and Cliff Richard, followed by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Herman's Hermits, The Kinks, and the Hollies.
From Ireland, showband stars Brendan Bowyer, Dickie Rock, Joe Dolan, Butch Moore, Brendan O'Brien, Billy Brown, and Eileen Reid. With over 291 Top Ten songs reviewed from three countries, USA-UK and Ireland, the book also details the record label, writers, chart positions, and the number of weeks at number one. The introduction also gives a great insight into the dawn of rock 'n' roll.
- Seamus Moore
