1957: Rock keeps on a-rocking! (Early Rock: Part III)

1957 was definitely early rock's banner year. The transformation from black Rhythm and Blues to an interracial sound was complete. New white artists took on the music, and gave it a style of their own, some of whom would be the only thing keeping rock going during the late fifties - early sixties transition where everyone was either in jail, in church, or a combination of both (marrying one's cousin, for example). Seriously, however, early rock was reaching its pinnacle, and would soon spawn new sounds and new artists. First, though, we've got to deal with mom and pop. They, in general, didn't like the black artists and their music. But suppose you had angel-faced, sincere home-grown white artists, to calm the music down a little? Maybe they wouldn't mind so much. This new parental acceptance may be what eventually led to the downfall of early rock, but also paved the way for the British Invasion.

The rock charts were some of the finest this year, with new white artists appearing on the scene and surprising everyone. Some were known as Teen Idols, and the first couple to hit the rock were Paul Anka (Canadian, eh?) and Ricky Nelson. Anka scored with his first million-seller about a babysitter, Diana. He was only sixteen at the time, but it seemed that there was no minimum age, for this was very popular, very soon. Anka enjoyed most of his years during the late fifties, and a bit in the late sixties, before he entered his songs-about-religious-icons-prevailing-and-husbands-crowing-about-their-newborn-babies-phase.

Buddy Holly first appeared, with "Peggy Sue," a song about his band member's girlfriend. I know it doesn't make much sense if you listen to the words, because it seems as though he's coming on to his friend's girlfriend, but it was originally written about his niece, Cindy Lou, so it's actually kinda cute. Holly was a texan, and he took rockabilly to heights it had never seen before, with his throaty singing and quick rhythm guitar. Buddy would have enjoyed immense popularity for much longer in his life, had it not been for a plane ride in February of 1959, but that'll have to wait until two weeks from now.

Also on the bill are Don and Phil Everly, another couple of southern white artists, who combined rich harmonies and lyrics people could relate to. Interesting trivia fact: on my visit to the RHoF last year, they had the Everly's report cards on display. While Phil was a straight A student, Don was an idiot. Don't know why I put that in, I just felt like it. Anyway, they had "Bye, Bye Love" and "Wake Up Little Susie" in 1957. By contrast, now we reach the guy that wasn't too popular with parents, no matter what race. Yes, "The Killer," Jerry Lee Lewis. He had his first hit in 1957 with "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On." Jerry Lee was energetic, he was explicit, he was everything teens were looking for in a rock artist. He ended up marrying his cousin, and quicker than you can say "Muriel, git me mah shotgun," he was shunned.

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