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Elvis & the Birth of Rock documents an extraordinary bygone era of the music in the fifties where bus tours travelled the States, often presenting several legendary performers in a single billing, through the eyes of photographer Lew Allen and the words of 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.' – Mike McCartney'Remarkable photos of Elvis... Lew Allen had exclusive access to the King at the very start of his ascent to fame.' – Uncut
'Looking back, I realised that I had witnessed and captured the birth of rock 'n' roll.' - Lew Allen
1956 was a defining year for Elvis Presley as he rocketed from regional celebrity to national icon. In January, his first Number One hit, 'Heartbreak Hotel' was followed by his first album topping the charts in March.
Alongside the stunning photography, Elvis & the Birth of Rock features a text of over 7,000 words where Lew and guest editor Mike McCartney describe what is was like to be in the presence of these now legendary performers.
'Buddy's running off the stage at the end of his performance and the eyes of all of the musicians are on the orchestra leader, who is over to the left somewhere. Nobody is watching Buddy. It defines music in transition. A swing band backing a rock 'n' roll musician. It was just another gig for Sam Donahue, since they were a local band.' - Lew Allen
On November 23rd 1956, a 17-year-old boy from Cleveland, a keen photographer who worked for his high school newspaper, was invited to photograph Elvis Presley at the Cleveland Arena, Ohio.
It was Bob Shatten, Lew's nephew, who began the process towards this momentous book back in 1988 when Lew dug out some old contact sheets which had been gathering dust in his basement for years. Lew, Bob along with Mike McCartney provide an entertaining and illuminating commentary to the photographs, describing their context and significance.
Collector copies are numbered 351 - 1,750 and are signed by the photographer, Lew Allen, and guest editor Mike McCartney.
Lew Allen's photographs are reproduced throughout in duotone inks with image varnishing on to heavyweight, 200 gsm matt art paper. The large-format book (10" x 14 ¼" / 360mm x 260mm) is quarter-bound in fine blue suede with silver blocking and page edging. Each Collector copy is presented in a custom-designed archival case.
The first 350 copies in this limited edition are Deluxe copies. Fully bound in blue suede, Deluxe copies additionally include three signed and numbered prints of Elvis Presley, The Everly Brothers and Bobby Darin.
Select from the following editions:
| Collector | £245 |
An extraordinary insight into a bygone era, when musicians travelled by bus, casually helped each other with lyrics, carried their own stage outfits and were backed by the local orchestra. Guest edited by Mike McCartney.
Since 1974 Genesis has created signed limited edition books on behalf of authors and artists ranging from the Beatles to Buckingham Palace.
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In order to make investing in one of our limited edition books or prints easier, we offer an interest-free option to spread the cost.
For purchases over £150, the payments are spread over three months. For example, for a purchase of £360, £122.40 would be paid today, followed by two instalments of £118.80.
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