The Rockabilly Legends: They Called It Rockabilly Long Before They Called It Rock and Roll

by Jerry Naylor, Steve Halliday

(Book). In five brief but glorious years, a handful of young, animated performers set the entertainment world on its ear. The Rockabilly Legends They Called It Rockabilly Long Before It Was Called Rock and Roll celebrates the rebel forefathers who created this raw, driving sound that continues to influence and inspire musicians. This unique volume part tribute, part first-person recollection, part history, and all fascinating provides a complete picture of the times. It features hundreds of original rare and captivating photos, including Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and others. Candid interviews with music legends and personal reflections. Stunning design. Includes a one-hour DVD sampler of rockabilly music to immerse the reader into those heady days from 1954 through 1959 when a new, high-energy sound and spirit instantly captured the hearts of fans around the world.

Genres: Nonfiction, Music

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an excellent story of many of the early rockabilly pioneers. It also included a lot of great pictures and a DVD. (which I still need to watch and I will now that I have read the book) The names included in this excellent account are Elvis Presley,(of course and the book credits Presley with making it okay for everyone else to make this type of music) Johnny Cash, Buddy Holly (& the Crickets), Roy Orbison,Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Horton, Gene Vincent, Buddy Knox, Bob Luman, Charlie Rich and Johnny & Dorsey Burnette. It also talks about the role of Sam Phillips and Sun Records & Tillman Franks the talent coordinator for the Louisiana Hayride. There is a very detailed account of each of the singers rise to stardom and what songs put them on the charts and for some of the rockabilly stars their tragic deaths in plane crashes, car wrecks, and heart attacks caused by a hard tiring lifestyle of amphetamine popping and endless touring to make ends meet. I would recommend this book to any fan of rockabilly music. It was a fun book to read, filled with information and beautiful photographs and great design. I put it on my best reads list and I am hoping that the DVD is as good as the book was.

[David Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Rockabilly Legends: They Called It Rockabilly Long Before They Called It Rock and Roll by Jerry Naylor (Hal Leonard Corp. 2007) (781.66). This is a large hardback book on the history of rockabilly. It features the prominent players: Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Gene Vincent, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, and many others. The book contains many wonderful photos. My rating: 7/10, finished 1/12/15.

[Andrea Avalon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of photographs from the 1950's accompany an entertaining overview of the lives of the father's of rockabilly. I definitely felt like I got an informative peek into the rockabilly music culture of the 50's.

[Jerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the music books written about the real pioneers of different types of music and I love the early Sun Records for sure.