The History of Rock & Roll Vol. 1 1920-1963 by Ed Ward (epub)(Non...

The History of Rock & Roll Vol. 1 1920-1963 by Ed Ward (epub)(Nonfiction)
Author: Ed Ward
Full Title: The History of Rock & Roll, Volume 1: 1920-1963
Release Year: 2016
Page Count: 416 Pages
Genres: Music, History, Nonfiction, Cultural, Pop Culture, American History

Ed Ward's "The History of Rock & Roll, Volume 1: 1920-1963" offers a sweeping and definitive narrative of the genre's formative years. The book traces rock and roll's roots from the 1920s, exploring how the sounds of rambling medicine shows, vaudeville, and minstrel acts blended to create early country and rhythm and blues. It chronicles the rise of the first independent record labels post-World War II, leading up to December 1963, just as the Beatles prepared for their first American tour. Ward, a pioneering rock critic and NPR's "Fresh Air" rock historian, shares his extensive knowledge through engaging storytelling, seamlessly moving between key musical hubs like Memphis, Chicago, Detroit, England, and New York. The narrative highlights the trajectories of major artists such as Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, and Ray Charles, while also celebrating forgotten heroes who played crucial roles in shaping the music. This first volume in a two-part series illuminates the influential musicians, DJs, record executives, and producers who were at the forefront of creating the music we know and love today. It provides a comprehensive, year-by-year account that balances well-known milestones with obscure stories, illustrating the technological, economic, and cultural factors that fueled rock and roll's evolution.