Rockabilly: The Twang Heard 'Round the World: The Illustrated History

by Michael Dregni, Greil Marcus, Peter Guralnick, Luc Sante, Robert Gordon, Sonny Burgess

Overview

It was the twang heard 'round the world: Rockabilly was born out of country, bluegrass, jazz, and the blues in the 1950s, becoming rock ’n’ roll and ruling the world. Here’s the story of Elvis Presley’s first Sun records that inspired all. And here’s Carl Perkins, Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochran, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, and many more rockabillies from the golden years of 1955–1959, in a book chock full of photos, collectible memorabilia, movie posters, rare records, fashion, and rebel lifestyle. Includes contributions from noted music journalists Greil Marcus, Peter Guralnick, Luc Sante, Robert Gordon, and more.

 The story continues today, with a rockabilly revival that began with stars, such as the Stray Cats and Robert Gordon, spreading around the globe from Europe to Japan. Today, rockabilly is better than ever, with bands like Rev. Horton Heat and others playing the music and living the life from Memphis to Helsinki to Tokyo. There’s still good rockin’ tonight!

 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781610602532
Publisher:	Voyageur Press
Publication date:	05/23/2011
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	57 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Includes stories from Greil Marcus, Peter Guralnick, Luc Sante, Robert Gordon, Deke Dickerson, and more.

 

 

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

The Big Takeover.com, May 9, 2011"Rockabilly: The Twang Hear ‘Round The World is loud, brash and full of attitude. Just like the music itself. The book succeeds on all fronts… it’s highly informative and a lot of fun to read. Highly recommended.” Examiner.com, May 13, 2011
“In Rockabilly: The Twang Heard Round World, editor Michael Dregni does a remarkable job of highlighting the genre via beautiful color and black and white photos – everything from old flyers and pins, to concert shots and close ups of the instruments the legends played - and write ups of some of the genre’s greats, everyone from Elvis, Roy Orbison and Carl Perkins to the Stray Cats and the Rev. Horton Heat.” Rockabilly Hall of Fame (online), May 13, 2011“This is one of the best books I've ever seen about rockabilly history. Its layout is dripping with 230 colorful informative pages containing comments, quotes and interviews. You will be impressed with its photographs of artists, posters, guitars, record labels, etc. It is reasonably priced and I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves rockabilly music ... whether you are a veteran fan, a collector, or one who is new to this genre."

Gatehouse News Service “…a compelling, fascinating collection that finally gives a brash, revolutionary musical style its due, and reminds us that even though it was short lived, it never really went away.” Publishers Weekly 
“Born out of Elvis Presley’s improvisational cut of That’s All Right recorded at Sun Records in 1954, Rockabilly’s time under the spotlight was brief, but its reverberating influence still rings true. This illustrated history, much like the music, is a frantic journey, full of passion and charisma. A blend of bluegrass, jazz, and Hillbilly that predates both rock ’n’ roll and country, the origins of the term “Rockabilly” eludes even its most famous figures. Burgess’s tales of touring with Johnny Cash and Roy Orbison make clear that showmanship was prerequisite to the style that encompassed such greats as Eddie Cochran, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins. Interviews with lesser known musicians like Charlie Feathers give the story a personal touch. In varying manifestations, bona fide Rockabilly principles have endured from the 1970s European revival, through the brash “Psychobilly” of The Stray Cats and The Cramps, and on to the current new wave. Over 600 photographs and images of original tour posters, vinyl sleeves, and paraphernalia provide an electrifying account orchestrated with an authenticity that only adds to its already overwhelming worldwide appeal.” Lincoln Star Journal “This 232-page coffee-table book is filled with more than 600 photographs, concert posters, images of album covers and 45s and other memorabilia. So I've spent several nights just looking at the pictures. I haven't read most of the text, which includes essays by Peter Guralnick and Greil Marcus among others and quotes and quips from rockabillies like Sonny Burgess, who wrote the intro, and the great Wanda Jackson. Covering the movement from its 1950s explosion, with a lot on Sun Records, to contemporary purveyors of the vintage sound, the book is a must if you're a rockabilly fanatic like me.” Monsters and Critics“A colorful collection of great anecdotes and art, this new gift book is filled with all kinds of photos and images of movie posters, rare records and movie memorabilia from the early days of rock and roll."

Editorial Reviews

Born out of Elvis Presley's improvisational cut of That's All Right recorded at Sun Records in 1954, Rockabilly's time under the spotlight was brief, but its reverberating influence still rings true. This illustrated history, much like the music, is a frantic journey, full of passion and charisma. A blend of bluegrass, jazz, and Hillbilly that predates both rock 'n' roll and country, the origins of the term "Rockabilly" eludes even its most famous figures. Burgess's tales of touring with Johnny Cash and Roy Orbison make clear that showmanship was prerequisite to the style that encompassed such greats as Eddie Cochran, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins. Interviews with lesser known musicians like Charlie Feathers give the story a personal touch. In varying manifestations, bona fide Rockabilly principles have endured from the 1970s European revival, through the brash "Psychobilly" of The Stray Cats and The Cramps, and on to the current new wave. Over 600 photographs and images of original tour posters, vinyl sleeves, and paraphernalia provide an electrifying account orchestrated with an authenticity that only adds to its already overwhelming worldwide appeal. Photos.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Publishers Weekly

The Big Takeover.com, May 9, 2011
"Rockabilly: The Twang Hear ‘Round The World is loud, brash and full of attitude. Just like the music itself. The book succeeds on all fronts… it’s highly informative and a lot of fun to read. Highly recommended.”

Examiner.com, May 13, 2011

“In Rockabilly: The Twang Heard Round World, editor Michael Dregni does a remarkable job of highlighting the genre via beautiful color and black and white photos – everything from old flyers and pins, to concert shots and close ups of the instruments the legends played - and write ups of some of the genre’s greats, everyone from Elvis, Roy Orbison and Carl Perkins to the Stray Cats and the Rev. Horton Heat.”

Rockabilly Hall of Fame (online), May 13, 2011
“This is one of the best books I've ever seen about rockabilly history. Its layout is dripping with 230 colorful informative pages containing comments, quotes and interviews. You will be impressed with its photographs of artists, posters, guitars, record labels, etc. It is reasonably priced and I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves rockabilly music ... whether you are a veteran fan, a collector, or one who is new to this genre."

Gatehouse News Service
“…a compelling, fascinating collection that finally gives a brash, revolutionary musical style its due, and reminds us that even though it was short lived, it never really went away.”

Publishers Weekly

“Born out of Elvis Presley’s improvisational cut of That’s All Right recorded at Sun Records in 1954, Rockabilly’s time under the spotlight was brief, but its reverberating influence still rings true. This illustrated history, much like the music, is a frantic journey, full of passion and charisma. A blend of bluegrass, jazz, and Hillbilly that predates both rock ’n’ roll and country, the origins of the term “Rockabilly” eludes even its most famous figures. Burgess’s tales of touring with Johnny Cash and Roy Orbison make clear that showmanship was prerequisite to the style that encompassed such greats as Eddie Cochran, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins. Interviews with lesser known musicians like Charlie Feathers give the story a personal touch. In varying manifestations, bona fide Rockabilly principles have endured from the 1970s European revival, through the brash “Psychobilly” of The Stray Cats and The Cramps, and on to the current new wave. Over 600 photographs and images of original tour posters, vinyl sleeves, and paraphernalia provide an electrifying account orchestrated with an authenticity that only adds to its already overwhelming worldwide appeal.”

Lincoln Star Journal
“This 232-page coffee-table book is filled with more than 600 photographs, concert posters, images of album covers and 45s and other memorabilia. So I've spent several nights just looking at the pictures. I haven't read most of the text, which includes essays by Peter Guralnick and Greil Marcus among others and quotes and quips from rockabillies like Sonny Burgess, who wrote the intro, and the great Wanda Jackson. Covering the movement from its 1950s explosion, with a lot on Sun Records, to contemporary purveyors of the vintage sound, the book is a must if you're a rockabilly fanatic like me.”

Monsters and Critics
“A colorful collection of great anecdotes and art, this new gift book is filled with all kinds of photos and images of movie posters, rare records and movie memorabilia from the early days of rock and roll."

From the Publisher