Who were the first giants of American rock and roll? Which songs and labels and performers drove
rock's emergence and explosive growth in the mid-twentieth century? In what ways did the rhythm and blues sound created by African-American composers, singers, and musicians between the world wars become the foundation of early rock and roll?
This wide-ranging encyclopedia answers these questions and many more through informative biographical profiles, coverage of noteworthy recordings and performances, and entries on important record labels, concert venues, and related musical genres including blues, folk, gospel, and Western swing.
By:
David Luhrssen (Independent Scholar USA),
Michael Larson (Independent Scholar,
USA)
Imprint: Bloomsbury Academic
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions:
Height: 256mm,
Width: 186mm,
Spine: 30mm
Weight: 920g
ISBN: 9798765132296
Pages: 360
Publication Date: 11 June 2026
Audience:
College/higher education
,
Primary & secondary/elementary & high school
,
Primary
,
Children's (6-12)
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Acknowledgments Introduction Ace, Johnny Ballard, Hank Beach Boys Berry, Chuck Berry, Richard Blackwell, Otis Blues BMI Bonds, Gary U.S. British Rock and Roll Brown, Ruth Burnette, Johnny Cash, Johnny Champs Clark, Dick Cochran, Eddie Collins Kids Country and Western Cover Songs Dale, Dick Diddley, Bo Domino, Fats Doo-wop Drifters Eddy, Duane Ertegun, Ahmet Esquerita Everly Brothers Feathers, Charie Fender, Freddy Folk-Blues Revival Freed, Alan Garcia, Augie Girl Groups Goffin, Gerry and Carole King Haley, Bill Harris, Wynonie Hawkins, Dale Hawkins, Screamin’ Jay Higgins, Chuck Holly, Buddy Jackson, Wanda Jordan, Louis King, Ben E. Kingsmen Latino Rock and Roll Legends Leiber, Jerry and Mike Stoller Lewis, Jerry Lee Little Richard Motown Nelson, Ricky Orbison, Roy Otis, Johnny Paul, Les Paul Revere and the Raiders Perkins, Carl Phillips, Sam Pomus, Doc Presley, Elvis Price, Lloyd Ray, Johnny Rhythm and Blues Robinson, Smokey Rockabilly Ronettes Rosie and the Originals Shangri-Las Shannon, Del Soul Music Spaniels Spector, Phil Surf Instrumentals Tharpe, Sister Rosetta Thornton, Big Mama Turner, Big Joe Turner, Ike and Tina The Twist Valens, Ritchie Ventures Vincent, Gene Williams, Larry Williams, Maurice Women in Rock and Roll Wray, Link Bibliography Index
David Luhrssen is a music journalist, film critic, and managing editor of the Shepherd Express, Milwaukee's alternative news website and monthly newspaper. Michael Larson is an author, musician, songwriter, and attorney.
