READ THIS: Rockin’ The Rockabilly Scene Andrew Shaylor Foreword by Jerry Chatabox
Our expert from the era comments:
The "Sun Sound" of Sam Phillips is touted for discovering Elvis, Carl Perkins and core Rockabilly talent that would go far into popular culture and light up the new rock 'n roll sky. From the 1950's into the 1970's and beyond, Teddy Boys ruled, and music cribbed from all corners of the country, do-wop and blues world. Andrew Shaylor traces these steps, and bridges the current scene with a bit of historical perspective. Putting the past behind and before, small venues where the original heroes played and made their legendary music are gone. This book, published by Merrell, underlines the ongoing live and in-person scene that thrives in Europe today. Long avid fans of American Rock n' Roll , Europe revived rockabilly music and kept it alive through decades of side trips in the music world.
Shaylor does a fast paced flip forward history of Rockabilly looks, roots, lifestyle and music, with an introduction by the British promoter of the Rockin' Rave scene today.
As Jayne, tour guide at Sun Studios says, "everyone does Americana well, except Americans".
And so we jump to the Rockin' scene, subject of this valuable photographic compilation. With Shaylor's pictographic documentary style, the current Raves freeze the fans in time. Fans of Rockabilly aren't dressed in costume. The total absorption of this musical lifestyle creates a wardrobe and prop styling that celebrates the sound they applaud. The Raves themselves are 5-day long events: celebrations of originals, wannabees, and stalwarts who spend a joyous time together, talking the hip talk, and walking the cruiser walk of the genre. Taking place in countries as near as England, and as unusual as Croatia, the multi-day events combine new music, old music, clothing, cars and a melding of all of the above.
"The music comes from a cross between blues and hillbilly and the clothes reflect the music's origins and the period."
With clothing as the frame for this music scene, individual expression establishes a wide range of looks. Over all, the idea is to include some element of the 1950's, whether outre or ultra-conservative. Never a geek squad, fans of the Rockabilly look and sound include hot Betty Page look-alikes, or biker Marlon Brando/James Dean admirers. Pull the look together and get the jive happening. Raves in Las Vegas are somewhat new to this scene, but bring the Americana back to America.
The Photographs
Transposed America slams into view with a long shot of perfectly restored cars. Ice cream colors of vintage Chevys and Fords line up next to hot rods and serious bikes. Portraits of expressive faces of all ages, and dishy dames set the tone for the "who" of this Rockabilly scene. Sexy sideburns, quiffs and teased hair provide tonsorial accessories to the vivid prints of full skirts and gabardine suits.
As a diehard fan of Rockabilly music, the images capture for me a fascinating phenomenon. The absorption, translation, and interpretation of American iconic types that form a new definition of the scene. Europe has swallowed and spit out the new generation of the Rockin' Scene, all while maintaining the pure, clean truth of the reality of Rockabilly.
The final word of what is Rockabilly will never be written. Throughout decades of research, often difficult to unearth, the important key to this set is obvious: celebration. Combine the celebration with the exhuberance of it's outward insignia, and enjoy. It's all about the music, and Andrew Shaylor captures the sounds of Rockabilly in his tight shots, full of inroads created by a new generation of fans. With a list of Rockin' events throughout the world, you too can hop into a hot rod and blast off to any of these scenes.
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For enthusiasts, rockabilly isn’t just a kind of music; it’s a way of life. A raw fusion of rhythm and blues with country and western, rockabilly heralded the start of teenage rebellion in America in the early 1950s. The stripped-down sound witnessed a revival in the 1970s that has continued until today, with modern rockabillies embracing not only the music, but also the clothes, cars and lifestyle of the 1950s youth counterculture. Rockin’ is photographer Andrew Shaylor’s unique portrayal of the contemporary rockabilly scene. Granted exclusive access at events on both sides of the Atlantic, Shaylor captures the raw energy of the music and the commitment of the rockabilly community to authenticity. Featuring the history of the subculture by rockabilly legend Jerry Chatabox, this striking book evokes the passion and intensity of a scene that is as exciting today as it was more than 50 years ago.
Over 250 stunning images capture the bands, dancing, fashion and cars that define the rockabilly subculture
Features rockabilly events in both the United States and Britain
With a specially commissioned foreword by Jerry Chatabox, stalwart of the contemporary rockabilly scene
