An in-depth history of rock and roll's Louisiana roots. Taking the position that rock and roll started in New Orleans in 1947 when Roy Brown recorded "Good Rockin' Tonight," Aswell provides an expansive history of this beloved American music form. By looking at the Louisianan influences of swamp pop, Cajun, zydeco, R&B, rockabilly, country, and blues music, the author explores the way these musical forms gave birth to rock and roll as we know it today.

Tom Aswell is an award-winning journalist who worked as a newspaper reporter and editor for more than two decades. His work has appeared in nine Louisiana newspapers including the Baton Rouge Advocate and the Monroe News-Star. Aswell has always had a passion for music, and his study of Southern music began while working as a radio disc jockey during his college years. A graduate of Louisiana Tech University, Aswell lives in Denham Sorings, Louisiana, with his wife.

• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1589806771
• 504 pages / black and white
• hardcover
• 6.5 X 9.5 in
• year released: 2009
• Publisher: Pelican Publishing