Before Elvis: The Prehistory of Rock 'n' Roll (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9780810886384)

An essential work for rock fans and scholars, Before Elvis: The Prehistory of Rock 'n' Roll surveys the origins of rock 'n' roll from the minstrel era to the emergence of Bill Haley and Elvis Presley. Unlike other histories of rock, Before Elvis offers a far broader and deeper analysis of the influences on rock music. Dispelling common misconceptions, it examines rock's origins in hokum songs and big-band boogies as well as Delta blues, detailing the embrace by white artists of African-American styles long before rock 'n' roll appeared.

Author: Larry Birnbaum
ISBN-10: 0810886383
ISBN-13: 9780810886384
Publisher: Scarecrow Press
Language: English
Published: 12/21/2012
Pages: 474
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.85lbs
Size: 9.10h x 6.20w x 1.50d

Review Citation(s):
Choice 06/01/2013

About the Author
For some 35 years, Larry Birnbaum has written for periodicals ranging from Down Beat to the New York Times and edited books and magazines about music.