Introduction. When I was just out of college in the early 80's, I listened to punk rock and thought I knew a lot about music. Then I discovered "oldies" - Elvis, Chuck Berry, the Everly Brothers, Jerry Lee Lewis, doo wop, rockabilly, girl groups, garage rock, surf music, and so much more. That music was wilder, crazier, more free and unhinged than what I'd grown up with. Punk taught me anger and rebellion. This music taught me the true joy of abandon - physical and otherwise.

Those were days of wonder for me, and I hope these recommendations help you discover the magic of rock 'n' roll of the 50's and early 60's - before the music (and its audience) grew up and got all serious. It was a time when cultures and races mixed openly in America for the first time. Early rock & roll was a lubricant in the engine of social change, and, soon, nothing would be the same.

I'm too young to have been there - were you? Tell me about your experiences, or, let me know if I've left something out. Drop me a line...

Randy Anthony

Let's get real, real gone...

The Oldies Bookshelf

• Complete Book Of Doo-Wop (Anthony Gribin & Matthew Schiff, 2000)
• Those Oldies But Goodies: A Guide To 50's Record Collecting (Steve Propes, 1973)

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Oldies On The Web

• All Music Guide
• Rock+Roll Hall Of Fame
• All But Forgotten Oldies
• Blackcat Rockabilly Europe
• Fifties Web
• Hoy Hoy: Rock Before Elvis
• Girl-Groups.com
• History Of Rock 'n' Roll 1954-1963
• Spectropop!
• Wang Dang Dula!
• Google

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Feedback

Your witty comments, impertinent questions, helpful suggestions, and angry denials are altogether encouraged. Submit feedback via email; submissions will be edited and posted at my discretion.