The Photography

Elvis & The Birth of Rock

'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.

On November 23rd 1956, a 17-year-old boy from Cleveland, a passionate photographer who worked for his high school newspaper, was invited to photograph Elvis Presley at the Cleveland Arena, Ohio. A labour strike at the three major newspapers in Cleveland meant that Lew Allen was the only photographer at the show.

'I didn't even shoot all the film I had with me! Had I known what I know today, things would have been very different!' Lew Allen

'I instantly fell in love with Lew's work... The photos transported me to a very special time in music...' Mike McCartney

Interspersed among the photographs of Elvis, are images from two shows in Rochester, New York in 1958, both part of popular music bus tours throughout the States, which included several now legendary groups on the bill. These rare photographs capture Buddy Holly a year before his untimely death, The Everly Brothers as headliners with their hit 'Wake Up Little Susie', Frankie Avalon primping in front of the mirror, Buddy Holly and Don Everly laughing at a private joke, Bobby Darin winking on stage.

The Author

Elvis & The Birth of Rock

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. A labour strike at the three major newspapers in Cleveland meant t

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.

The Deluxe Edition

Elvis & The Birth of Rock

Limited to an edition of just 1,750, the first 350 copies are Deluxe editions and come with three signed and numbered limited edition prints of Elvis Presley, The Everly Brothers and Bobby Darin. All copies are signed by Lew Allen and Mike McCartney.

Lew's photographs are printed in an opulent duotone with image varnishing on heavyweight matt art paper and bound exquisitely in blue suede. Archive-grade paper, a custom-designed box, silver edging and a production quality second-to-none make this book a real collector's piece that will continue to give enjoyment for many years to come.