Elvis & The Birth of Rock presents the photographs of Lew Allen taken between 1956 and 1958. Interspersed among the photographs of Elvis taken at the Cleveland Arena, are images from shows in Rochester, New York.

Part of popular music bus tours through the States, they brought together many performers in one venue, which included several now-legendary groups on the bill.

'Looking back, I realise that I witnessed and captured part of the birth of rock 'n' roll.'
LEW ALLEN

These photographs capture Buddy Holly only a year before his untimely death, The Everly Brothers as headliners with their hit 'Wake Up Little Susie', Frankie Avalon primping in front of a mirror, Buddy Holly and Don Everly laughing at a private joke, Bobby Darin winking on stage.

Elvis & the Birth of Rock offers an extraordinary insight into 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.