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The Rockin' '50s: The People Who Made the Music

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This is a review of the 1998 edition of this book, since then, another edition was issued in 2000. It may or may not clear up some points I mention below.

This is a very good reference to use, I learned a lot of new things. For instance, it seems the great Gene Vincent was really big in the United Kingdom but of much less reknown in his own country, the USA. This is clear when one sees, John Lennon recorded "Be-Bop-a-Lula" and Jeff Beck made an all Gene Vincent album in the late '90s called "Crazy Legs"

On the other hand, the famous 1958 single "Tequila" by the Champs for example is not listed in the index so must not be made. Bobby Freeman's "Do you wanna dance" is another big hit not mentioned here. I mean, especially in the case of the former, this is a staple of oldies radio, everyone knows the instrumental "Tequila" but it is not mentioned here. I appreciate the scope of knowledge presented by the author and the information that is presented here is often good, focusing more often than not on the giant individual artists of whom we know, Elvis, Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and others.

Perhaps the main criticism would be that the one hit wonders would often been missed, is the great single "Purple People Eater" by Sheb Wooley mentioned even in passing? It appears not so. One need only to consult charts of major hits of those years to see omissions but this is also a problem in assembling a book like this. All-in-all a well-done examination of rock 'n' roll in the 1950s.