The rock revolution was not televised. Elvis Presley, who launched rockabilly in 1954, did not invent rock ‘n’ roll. This album rehabilitates the history-making, foundational records which came out of the seminal rock trend; they were present on the black circuit as early as 1949, yet banned on radio stations due to racial segregation. These splendid—and little-known—recordings testify to the authentic sound, subversiveness and stylistic variation which characterized the birth of rock. A detailed commentary by Bruno Blum in the set’s 36-page booklet traces the history of the famous “chitlin’ circuit” of concert-venues reserved for Afro-Americans, and the story of the first DJs who played black music on US radio. Patrick FReMEAUX
