Rhythm and Blues In New Orleans [Paperback]

John Broven (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 31, 1978

Tracing the careers and songs of the major R&B artists, this is the definitive history of the New Orleans music industry. A full appendix featuring a complete list of best-selling records.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John Broven, a contributing writer for the British magazine Blues Unlimited, is also the author of Pelican's South to Louisiana: the Music of the Cajun Bayous. He has been an ardent fan and collector of Louisiana music for twenty years, and is an honorary member of the Louisiana Music Commission in recognition of his research into the history of the state's music.

Product Details

• Paperback: 328 pages
• Publisher: Pelican Publishing (January 31, 1978)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0882894331
• ISBN-13: 978-0882894331
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #981,833 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE CRADLE OF ROCK 'N' ROLL, October 19, 2000

By 

Rick Coleman "rickneworleans" (COVINGTON, LA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rhythm and Blues In New Orleans (Paperback)

This book is the original and still definitive book on New Orleans rhythm & blues, the music that was the true forerunner of what popularly became rock 'n' roll. As a boy in England, Broven was so thrilled by Little Richard's performance of the song "Long Tall Sally" in the movie DON'T KNOCK THE ROCK that he ran from the matinee showing at his local theatre to buy it before the record store closed. It was only years later that he discovered that Little Richard's hits, like those of his other favorite, Fats Domino (who dominated Louisiana music and rhythm & blues in the 1950s and is appropriately pictured on the cover) were recorded by New Orleans studio musicians who created the backbone of rockin' rhythm & blues. Other musicians featured here include Roy Brown, who popularized the word "rock" in rhythm & blues long before Alan Freed in his 1947 classic "Good Rockin' Tonight" (which like Little Richard and other New Orleans records were significantly covered by Elvis Presley); Aaron Neville, Dave Bartholomew, Lloyd Price, Allen Toussaint and legendary drummer Earl Palmer, the last four of whom have recently been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Similarly to Charlie Gillett's groundbreaking classic THE SOUND OF THE CITY, Broven thoroughly covers the record companies who came to New Orleans to mine the city's musical gold, but he also takes an in-depth look into the musicians which made the city a musical force. RHYTHM & BLUES IN NEW ORLEANS features interviews with many of them, including Mac "Dr. John" Rebennack, whose lengthy reminisces during an English tour inspired the book. It is a must for anyone interested in the history of rhythm & blues, rock 'n' roll, black culture or New Orleans culture.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books on New Orleans music, October 27, 2002

By 

John Preble "UCM Museum Director" (ABITA SPRINGS, LA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rhythm and Blues In New Orleans (Paperback)

I think I have read this book at least 5 times. It easy to read and includes info about all the stars of New Orleans Rock and Roll.

5.0 out of 5 stars My love and respect for the culture and music of New Orleans, October 8, 2009

By 

Doug Norman "drnorman1972" (Columbus, GA.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rhythm and Blues In New Orleans (Paperback)

I was so impressed with the first 15 or 20 pages of this book after purchasing it in a thrift store a couple of years ago. While gigging with a band in Florida , I carelessly left it in a motel room and it was never returned to me. Now I am looking for another copy,so I can finish reading it and add it to my personal book collection.