ELVIS & THE BIRTH OF ROCK documents the extraordinary music bus tours that traveled the States during the fifties, often presenting several legendary performers in a single billing.

Mike McCartney: "Everyone's greatest influences appear in their teenage years. It's that magical time. Lew Allen lived among Elvis, The Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly - all the people who influenced us as kids."

Lou Allen's remarkable photography is published here exclusively. His rare book captures Elvis Presley on stage and behind the scenes; Buddy Holly playing and traveling, only a year before his untimely death; The Everly Brothers as headliners with their hit 'Wake Up Little Susie'; Frankie Avalon primps in front of a mirror; Buddy Holly and Don Everly share private jokes and Bobby Darin singing on stage, winking for Lou's camera.

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Lew Allen's unique body of work was recorded between 1956 and 1958. Guest edited by Mike McCartney, ELVIS & THE BIRTH OF ROCKis an extraordinary book of a bygone era, when musicians traveled by bus, casually helped each other with lyrics, carried their own stage outfits and were backed by the local orchestra.