Fourteen Unsung Pioneers of Early Rock and Roll Who Didn't Get Their Due

Book excerpt: This book is a follow-up to Eleven Unsung Heroes of Early Rock and Roll about historic contributions by eleven artists you have never heard of unless you’re an ardent fan of early rock and roll. This time around it’s about fourteen artists who helped define the early roots of rock and roll with their historic pioneering contributions, but were never given the credit for doing so because something got in their way. With the exception of one individual, all were aspiring artists who gave their all in trying to record a hit 45 rpm vinyl record that would give them some notable household-name recognition, and they rubbed shoulders with major artists to help get the job done. The non-musician, however, had no interest in making a hit record, but the fact that this individual emceed perhaps the most famous rock-and-roll music event that became known as “the day the music died,” is as good as it gets for a meaningful historic contribution.