Format Details: Jewel Case
Release Date: 28 October 1991
Label: Ace Records
Packaging Type: Jewel Case
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 029667128926
Genres: Rock Rock 'N' Roll
Description
For anyone in their mid-teens in the mid-5Os, and into music, it had to be rock'n'roll - American rock'n roll. There was no British equivalent to the sound. In the UK, it was Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, The Platters, Alan Freed, Radio Luxembourg, Voice Of America. By 1958 rock'n'roll reached the UK. But it was Cliff Richard and Marty Wilde, not Elvis Presley and Dion & the Belmonts. By 1956 there were hundreds of small record companies in the US pouring out rock'n'roll and rhythm and blues records. By 1958 there were thousands, tens of thousands and they were hitting the top ten pop charts. All through this hive of activity the big four UK companies: EMI, Decca, Pye and Philips retained their stranglehold, and so did the Light Programme. Needless to say they couldn't handle this wealth of material and although most US hits were released in England they were never promoted. By 1961, and those mid-teens turning to twenties, along came the Beatles. Capitol's A&R department in America hated them and let them go to small labels like Vee Jay and Swan. America carried on with rock'n'roll, getting ever limper with an array of Bobbies and Frankies watering it down, but the Jive Five, the Elegants, the Capris, Dion etc were still flying the flag. By late 1963 Capitol had finally woken up and the Beatles charted in America in January 1964. That was the end of the era of American rock'n'roll as 50s teenagers knew it.Over the years most of the bigger independent American companies such as Atlantic and Chess have been swallowed up by majors. This 30 track CD celebrates the American hits of the smaller independents from 1954 to 1963. There are 21 Top 10 American hits here, all but one made the Top 30. More importantly, all are mastered off the finest tapes still surviving. Most CDs from other UK reissue companies that cover this ground, have had to resort to disc dubs through lack of knowledge of best sources. If the right people get to know about this and hear the quality, this will sell and sell.
Tracklisting
The Champs
Richard Thompson
Little Richard
James Carr
Leon Thomas
Alex Chilton
Various Artists
Various Artists
Various Artists
Various Artists
Various Artists
Various Artists
Various Artists
Various Artists
Various Artists
Various Artists
