Let's rock and roll. One of the labels we boomer's carry is "The Rock and Roll Generation." Now that's a label I don't mind having.
I was born in 1948, As fate would have it, so was the 33 1/3rd rpm vinyl record. Now, I don't want to make too much of that coincidence, but it does make me an expert on music, particularly rock & roll.
With the advent of the 33 1/3rd record, it wasn't long after that Atlantic Records producer Jerry Wexler coined the term "rhythm and blues." The saxophone and electric guitar took center stage. Some of the first rhythm and blues stars included T-Bone Walker, John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, The Mills Brothers, Billie Holiday, and The Ink Spots. Most of these originals were before my time, but I have listened to them over the years. In fact, I once saw The Ink Spots in a nightclub in Chicago, pretty much by accident. We just happened to stumble in at the right time.
The fifties ushered in a fusion of rhythm and blues and country. In 1951, disc jockey Alan Freed, in Cleveland, Ohio, coined the term "rock and roll,' and held the first rock concert. It was called "The Monday Coronation Ball." If you haven't learned anything else today, now you know why the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is in Cleveland.
The first true rock & roll song is debated, but Bill Haley's "Rock Around The Clock" was the first to top the Billboard chart. Other early rock and roll artists included Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, Little Richard, Eddie Fisher, Perry Combo, Ray Charles, Smokey Robinson, and James Brown.
It's speculated that Bill Haley was so popular because he was white and more sellable. Many white radio stations were more willing to play him than the other black artists of the time. Remember, we weren't so far along in our race relations in the early 1950's.
At any rate, the 50's were a little early for me. I was a 60's and 70's rock fan. That period covered my teen years into early adulthood, with college and marriage in-between. I attended a lot of concerts over those years, many at the Mississippi River Festival, at SIU Edwardsville. Some of the groups I heard there and other places included The Band, with Bob Dylan; Jefferson Airplane; Fleetwood Mac; Van Morrison; The Eagles; Pink Floyd; The Everly Brothers; John Lee Hooker; Willie Nelson; Asleep at the Wheel; John Prine; George Thorogood; Jackson Browne; Cheap Trick; Marshall Tucker; Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers; Santana; Eric Clapton; The Steve Miller Band; Dr. John; and The Who. At least those were some I can remember. It gets a little hazy. When people ask me about having seen various groups, my answer usually is, I think I was there.
I am a collector of primarily 60's and 70's music. The first album I ever bought was "Paul Anka Sings His Big 15." I think it cost $2.50. The year was probably 1957-58. I still have that album, along with 999 others.
My top ten:
1. The Beatles, "Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band." Included on this album is my favorite all-time song, "A Day In The Life."
2. Bob Dylan, "Highway 61 Revisited." 1965
3. The Rolling Stones, "Exile On Main Street." 1972
4. Van Morrison, "Astrol Weeks." 1968
5. Jimi Hendrix, "Are You Experienced." 1966
6. Carole King, "Tapestry." 1971
7. The Eagles, "Hotel California." 1976
8. Pink Floyd, "The Dark Side of the Moon." 1973
9. Bob Marley and The Wailers, "Legend." 1984
10. Simon & Garfunkel, "Bridge Over Troubled Waters." 1970
As you can see, rock and roll dominates my taste. I'm something of a one-dimensional music lover, but than, I'm from the rock and roll generation.
How about some of your favorite albums?
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