(the beginning of) the 1950s

    The time around which rock began to form wasn't happy for my country. The Polish people didn't have any rock and roll and they didn't have much else, too, like independent literature until about 1955. There weren't any black people here so there wasn't any blues tradition, like in the US. The first Polish rock records worthy of anything appeared in the second half of the next decade. We had some good instrumentals by Niebiesko-Czarni (The Blue-Blacks) from 1965 on. Our 'own,' familiar kind of rock had emerged by that time under the name 'big-beat,' but those groups sang the way Elvis did in his 60s' movies, about teddy bears, being afraid of mice and red buses running 'cross the town. Well it wasn't until a band called Breakout came back from Holland in '68 (but I'm not sure, as they may have returned in '69) and introduced a heavier and bluesier sound that the Polish could really have their own. Back in 1967 it was, however, possible to hear the Stones in Warsaw, or at least see them for a second. Earlier than that we also had the Animals visit us, but it didn't get widely reported and didn't bring up half as much of a response as the Stones did (though music critics who've been at the gig in '67 as kids say TODAY the concert wasn't good as for them -no wonder if, as the story goes, the band members drank an awful lot here during their short stay). Anyway, we owe that concert to the failure of the idea of giving it in Moscow, which was the original plan. Why do I write about that? Well just to make people see, anybody who cares, that it's not changed mcuh since then! I mean the great English and American and any rock bands -they still treat Poland the same. I can't forgive the Stones they played in Chorzów last August. Who listens to rock in Chorzów? Maybe I'm being unjust, but it seems such a little provincial town. Wht don't they come to play in Warsaw -I bet so much more people would go to see them. And now Jethro Tull! Come on, everyone who lives in Warsaw! We can't let ourselves be pushed aside!
So with this little cry I'll finish the foreword (which came out longer than I thought).

Now, the 1950s in America.

Everybody knows. Chuck's been doing things for some time up till then, in the South mainly, but I think he started recording in the North, Chess Records or something in Chicago (or maybe NY...)
Bruce Springsteen says he learned Chuck Berry's songs from the Stones -well I'm proud to say I came to know 'Roll Over Beethoven' in George Harrison's version first. I'm proud to. And to me it's probably his best, along with 'Sweet Little Sixteen'.

Bill Haley -I want so much to have his 'Rocket 88' which he recorded before forming His Comets, which I think was not the greatest idea. It came out in 1951, quite revolutionary as it was for then. I guess the lyrics are interesting. I watched 'Blackboard Jungle' recently. I've been told it was about drugs at school, but in fact about crime and street life and beating teachers...Its theme song was "Rock Around The Clock." I hoped there'd be a dance scene, but nothing like that. Compared to the other film including the song, also called "R.A.T.C." and also from 1955, 'Blackboard Jungle' was obviously better, but still... No comparison to 'Rebel Without A Cause' from the following year. Rock and roll culture was absolutely worth switching from blues, swing and hillbilly.

Elvis

See Elvis in a blow-up
-what could be said-he was the absolute, the symbol uniting all conscious youth, their hero. Well I regret I can't say he still is mine, too. But he'd be, no doubt. No matter how many musically better rockers would arrive on the scene. His early records are undoubtedly smashing. "Heartbreak Hotel," "That's All Right Mama," "Good Rockin' Tonight," "Blue Moon Of Kentucky," "Mystery Train," "Blue Moon"... to mention just those.

Little Richard

Click here for a bigger version -maybe I should put him after Chuck, but I'm doing this list spontaneously. Does every fan of his agree that 'Long Tall Sally' is his best tune? It's my bet. The hairstyle -it looked unnatural in my opinion, but original indeed. And the heavy make-up was it 13 years before glam? (a fine style by the way). His screams were artistic and his looks  elaborate as for a rock and roller, too.

See bigger Jerry

Jerry Lee (husband of Myra...)

Does everybody know this one:
'...Rock and roll is the music that inspired me to play music. There is nothing conceptually better than rock and roll. No group, be it the Beatles, Dylan or the Stones have ever improved on 'Whole Lotta Shakin' for my money. Or maybe I'm like our parents: that's my period and I'll dig it and never leave it.'
Any better recommendation?

Buddy Holly

-his melodies have this chilly, special, unsurpassed, only, beautiful feeling -even those with the most simple lyrics. Damn it. The only song the Crickets released in the 60s -"Don't Ever Change" -it still was better than most of the other stuff which came out then. The Beatles picked it up immediately -that's a good proof, in my opinion. They were just about to set the trends (1962) and then they played it on BBC. Well just like many other then considered old rockers -what to say about them now!
But Buddy's solos -words can't express- 'Crying, Waiting, Hoping' is unbeatable.

Gene Vincent

-his rockers like 'Woman Love,' 'Wildcat' -to hell with all drugs -who needs them hearing that. Even alcohol would be unnecessary to rave on... And his black leather jacket and pants -Backstreet Boys hide NOW! A show he could do with a stiff leg. See it just once in a lifetime.
He played WITH THE BEATLES in the Cav! In '62, of course. Imagine the moment?

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