Here’s a clip from an early 1979 ABC special, Heroes of Rock ‘n Roll, which was hosted by Jeff Bridges. I’d forgotten about this special, but seeing this clip, I’m reminded of how important a tv-watching event it was when I was not quite 16. I believe pretty much the same artists who made me pump my fist triumphantly during that opening roll call made me pump my fist just now. I believe many of the same artists who made me scratch my head and say, Huh?!?! that night make me say the same thing today. There are a few exceptions.
If you’re old enough to span the initial broadcast of this special and today’s walk through memory lane, care to share your thoughts on that roll call, yesterday and today? If you don’t go back that far, feel free to share your fist-pumping vs head-scratching moments on this, your first viewing of the ancient special’s intro. If any discussion follows, I’ll be happy to share my few changes in perspective, or what might be termed “growth.”
I could then and I still can pump my fist to the great majority of them. That roll call is a pretty persuasive argument for E’s position that the good stuff ended at, what is it, 1981?
Is Jerry Lee Lewis the forgotten man of the early days of rock & roll or what? Every time I see an early clip of him I’m stunned. It’s easy to understand the adults who thought that rock & roll was the source of all evil when you watch Jerry Lee in action!
Donna Summer?
I guess Pat Boone was introduced as an anti-hero of rock ‘n roll. I’m not sure if the same intent was behind Chubby Checker, Linda Rondstadt, and Elton John, although the latter two seemed more legendary in their time.