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This definitive 10-part documentary covers rock 'n' roll history from its humble beginnings in the '50s to Lollapalooza in the '90s. Fans can experience their favorite rock 'n' roll moments all over again through hundreds of exclusive interviews, classic footage, and unforgettable in-concert performances from rock 'n' roll's biggest stars. Troy along with wife Trina, reside in Nashville, where he continues to write, produce records and entertain at Rock 'n' Roll reunion shows, Casino's and Conventions around the country. Currently, Troy, joined by close friends Ray Peterson, Ronnie Dove and Jimmy Clanton, is being promoted as part of a new group called 'The Masters of Rock 'n' Roll'.

Rock'n'Roll is a 1959 Australian documentary from director Lee Robinson. It is a filmed version of a rock concert at Sydney Stadium presented by Lee Gordon, Lee Gordon's 1959 Rock'n'Roll Spectacular, with some additional scenes such as Fabian arriving at Sydney airport. (Fabian had been mobbed at Melbourne airport by 2,000 teenagers and had to be spirited away on a 10-foot-high platform of a forklift truck.^[1]) It is believed only 3 copies for cinema release were ever made and was believed to be lost forever, until recently.

Rock'n'Roll was the only 35mm feature length film of a live Rock'n'Roll concert ever made in the 1950s. Moreover, it is arguably the only piece of 35mm Rock'n'Roll live footage from the 1950s in existence, since the The Pied Piper of Cleveland (the only other 35mm live film shot in this decade) is considered to be lost by many researchers.

The first showing of Rock'n'Roll was in Newcastle, NSW in December 1959. It is believed soon after the premiere the film was found to be in breach of copyright, due to the performance of Fabian (an American pop idol at the time) being included in the footage. The film was hastily edited to remove Fabian's performance and airport arrival footage. It is unclear whether audiences in Sydney and Melbourne ever got to see the original version in the screenings that followed the Newcastle premiere. However, since the copy recently discovered in Melbourne (see below) turned out to be the edited version, it seems likely Melbourne film audiences never got to see the un-edited version.

Another important stage in the evolution of the film is that the footage of Johnny O'Keefe performing on the night was a filming of a re-staged performance at the Sydney Stadium several days later. It seems logical that Johnny O'Keefe, and the promoter Lee Gordon, sought to provide future audiences of the film with an enhanced focus on O'Keefe with this re-take, but the reason for the re-take remains unconfirmed. The O'Keefe performance of 'Shout' in this re-take was thought to be one of the few surviving pieces of footage until recently. This Shout footage has been used in the opening credits of ABC Australia's music show 'Rage' since 1987.

After very limited showings in Melbourne and Sydney, the film disappeared from the public eye. Apart from a stint in New Zealand, it was not shown in any other country. Questions remain about what happened to the Sydney copy. Though, in a cruel twist of fate, some years later, while in the midst of the director Lee Robinson moving house in the early 1970s, a copy he owned was accidentally thrown out by his removalist. It seems likely that this was the surviving Sydney copy.

Ever since the last copy vanished, many had spent their lives trying to track a copy down. Some warm leads about a copy finding its way to New Zealand eventually went cold. Only a small 9 minute salvaged portion of the footage that has no sound, along with the 'Shout' performance of O'Keefe, both currently held by the NFSA of Australia, was thought to have survived. It was until recently considered a 'substantially lost' film.^[2]

In March 2020, a full copy of the film miraculously surfaced In Melbourne, Australia, over 60 years since its completion. This sole surviving copy is reported to be in excellent condition for its age, with the image quality far surpassing any existing footage of this era. This was in no small part due to the equipment used for the filming, and that the film was shot on 35mm safety film. Rock 'n' Roll is a unique and priceless piece of Australiana and Rock 'n' Roll history. Having been filmed by arguably Australia's most important pioneering director, Lee Robinson, it is also, just as importantly, a priceless record of Australia's cinematic past. The film's worth is also enhanced by the fact that the sound and camera technology used for its filming was ahead of its time. 7 cameras were used to film the wild scenes that evening at the Sydney Stadium, capturing the essence of the Australian/International Rock'n'Roll scene in the 1950s like no other.

Featured acts[edit]

• The Rebels – without Johnny Rebb
• The Delltones – backed by The Rebels
• Fabian – backed by The Graduates^[3]
• Col Joye and the Joy Boys
• Johnny Devlin and the Devils
• Johnny O'Keefe and the DJs

References[edit]

1. ^'FABIAN FLEES FROM AUSSIES ON TRUCK LIFT'. Chicago Daily Tribune. 19 October 1959. p. b12.
2. ^Australia's 'Lost' Films at National Film and Sound Archive
3. ^'They've got their diploma'. The Australian Women's Weekly. 27 (18). 7 October 1959. p. 7 (Teenagers Weekly). Retrieved 24 March 2017 – via National Library of Australia.

External links[edit]

• Rock 'n' Roll on IMDb
• Rock'n'Roll at National Film and Sound Archive

Where were you in 62?

A definitive slice of Americana, this fun-loving, laugh-filled American Graffiti movie is filled with wonderful old song memories that recaptures the sights and sounds of the 1960s like few films before or since.
If you lived during the time this all happened you will love this movie. It is literally the soundtrack to the generation.
The movie captures playfully what American culture was all about, particularly in 1962 as portrayed by the many stories it tells. This nostalgic look back follows a group of teenagers as they cruise the streets on their last summer night before college.

America's Last Age of Innocence.

American Graffiti is a bittersweet yet comedic look at what some may say is 'America's last age of innocence.'
It's a classic coming-of-age story set against the 1960s backdrop of hot rods, drive-ins and rock n’ roll...and is considered one of the best teen movies ever made.
The Beatles were still unknown on this side of the Atlantic, and drive in diners, soda shops and out door theaters were very popular.
There was no Internet so kids went cruising, looking for girls to pick up or rivals to race in their souped-up hot rods.

Mel's Diner - Cruising, Car-hops and Hot-Rods.

When the film begins, the credits play over a view of Mel's drive-in Restaurant late one summer afternoon as the sun is setting.
A blaring radio plays a familiar rock tune '(We're Gonna) Rock Around the Clock,' by Bill Haley and His Comets as friends gather at the restaurant. Another older character, John Milner, pulls up in a yellow, '32 Ford deuce coupe.

Milner has been out of high school for two years and seems content to hang out and look cool. He is a going-nowhere James Dean-wannabe and an acknowledged, undisputed drag-racing idol.
Later in the evening, the drive-in comes alive and is crowded with shiny chromed, hot-rod cars. 'Sixteen Candles' by The Crests begins to play as Car-hops on roller skates circle around the restaurant delivering orders on window trays to parked cars.

American Graffiti Song Memories.
Was It A Musical?

Some may view American Graffiti as a musical with no singing or dancing.
It has plenty of music...but it's not a musical. The film is seamlessly laced with a classic rock-n-roll American Graffiti soundtrack composed of over forty hits.

Each song in the movie provides an emotional context, not just period atmosphere. Sounds emerging from the cruising car radios function as background music to define the emotions, dreams and frustrations of the group at Mel's Diner.

Who Was The DJ With The Gravel Voice?

What united the entire car crazy generation was rock & roll, and regional subsections of that generation were connected usually by a single personality, in the form of a radio disk jockey.
In this case it's the mysterious and almost mystical 'Wolfman Jack.'
In the American Graffiti movie 'The Wolfman' served as a unifying thread to all the subplots and was mostly heard on the radio but seen briefly.

Where Were You In '62?

The American Graffiti movie is a realistic portrayal of teens in 1962 with their cool cars, great music, friendships, and relationships.
It has plenty of action, but no blood and nasty language...and there is never a dull moment. There are multiple story lines and a great cast, but it never gets confusing. If you have not seen American Graffiti buy the DVD and you will see how and why this film has become a cult classic.

The American Graffiti movie can so immerse you in teenage cruising-to-rock-radio that you'll feel a part of it even when watching it for the umpteenth time...then be saddened by the passing of a bygone era until you watch it again.
It will bring back great memories of cars, pretty girls and street racing. A time that can never be repeated or duplicated.
They just don't make '55 Chevy's anymore.

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A Low Budget Movie With Big Box Office Returns.

The American Graffiti movie is fun to watch and definitely deserves having been voted as one of the American Film Institute's top 100 Films of All Time.
Produced by Academy Award winner Francis Ford Coppola and directed by George Lucas, American Graffiti transformed Ron Howard, Cindy Williams, Richard Dreyfuss and Harrison Ford into household names.
Although the film was nominated for five Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress (for 26 year old Candy Clark), Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Film Editing, it came away empty-handed.
American Graffiti premiered in August, 1973 and became something of a surprise hit. At a cost of a reported $777,777.77 the movie would generate an estimated return of well over $200 million in box office receipts and home video sales.
The soundtrack album reached #10 in America and has been certified triple Platinum.

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The Buddy Holly Story

If you grew up in the Buddy Holly era, this 1978 biography profiles the lives of someone who helped change forever, the music in the 50s and beyond. The Roller Rink medley and The Crickets at the Apollo looks back at this special time in history and how it all began. Read more ...

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