Rock’s Stone Age

If rock paleontologists are looking for the first rock record, why are they digging up rhythm ‘n’ blues records? Almost none of the records mentioned are rock ‘n’ roll. In fact, some of them, like “It’s Too Soon to Know,” aren’t even R&B; they’re ballads.

Oh well, if no less an authority than the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is not going to distinguish between pop, rock, R&B;, country, rockabilly, soul, doo-wop or anything else, why should I?

The first rock ‘n’ roll record was Jimmie Rodgers’ “Jimmie’s Mean Mama Blues” from 1930.

MICHAEL HELWIG

Canoga Park