B44301 – Genesis Publications Elvis & The Birth of Rock Deluxe Edition Book (UK)

Elvis & the Birth of Rock celebrates the extraordinary era when rock and roll tour buses travelled the States, often presenting several legendary performers in a single billing. On the 23^rd November 1956, a 17-year-old photography enthusiast was invited to shoot Elvis Presley at the Cleveland Arena for his high school newspaper. A labour strike at the three major newspapers in Cleveland meant that Lew Allen was the only photographer at the show. Lew’s remarkable photography is published here for the first time. His monograph reveals Elvis Presley on stage and behind the scenes; Buddy Holly playing and travelling, only a year before his untimely death; The Everly Brothers as headliners with their hit ‘Wake Up Little Susie’; Frankie Avalon primps in front of a mirror; Buddy Holly and Don Everly share private jokes and Bobby Darin singing on stage, winking for Lew’s camera. Accompanying the photographs, Elvis & the Birth of Rock features a text of over 7,000 words from Lew Allen and guest editor Mike McCartney, as they discuss what it was like to be in the presence of such legendary performers. The book is printed on 200gsm matt art acid-free paper and is fully bound in blue suede with silver tool and page edging. It comes with 3 signed prints featuring Elvis, The Everly Brothers and Bobby Darin.

This is No. 86 of 350 limited edition deluxe copies, each hand signed by Lew Allen and Mike McCartney. The book comes in the original mailing box. The condition of the prints is mint. The condition of the box and book is mint.