Re: Rock is Rock

[Hanicram45@aol.com]

I usually don't get into the discussions since they seem to be dominated by 
the 35-45 yr. male (raging testosterone) members of the list and I'm too 
damned old to care but . . . I began listening to rock and roll sometime in 
the mid-50's.  The first record I bought was Get a Job (a one hit wonder by a 
group called the Silhouettes).  Also liked Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On by 
Jerry Lee Lewis.  Fats Domino was popular then and the piano was the 
instrument (note Little Richard) in the forefront.   Then folks like the 
Ventures and Duane Eddy came along and the guitar became the influential 
instrument.  Anyway, the whole thing evolved into what we have today and as 
is with everything else, the best (The Who) are still around, still kicking 
up a fuss, and still influencing everyone else.  IMHO the whole rock thing is 
the only true American art form, derived from black music (blues and gospel) 
and mixed with country-western (influenced by Irish music).  I do not think 
the Brits can take credit for the birth of rock but am grateful that they 
kicked it up in the early 60s and gave us some truly good stuff and continue 
to do so today.  So chew on this you young whippersnappers.  Regards, Ceenie 
(a 50-something grandmother-type who is giving LOL CDs to my kids for 
Christmas so they will leave mine alone).