Television. Nothing in American history had the immediate impact of television. Within a few short years following World War II television had replaced both the movies and radio as the prime informational, cultural and entertainment medium. There were soap operas, dramas and situation comedies but the programs that drew the highest ratings were variety shows. Comedians, dancers, singers, people who could twirl plates on sticks and other odd acts were featured for the public's pleasure. It was video vaudeville. And in this environment Rock 'n' Roll made its debut - as something for the young people in the audience. Even though that wild animal Elvis Presley had been on national television before, when he appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show, he was shown from the waste up so America would not be exposed to his gyrating pelvis. Clearly, Rock 'n' Roll was going to be about more than music. How you looked and acted was also a part of the equation. Elvis said he couldn't stand still when he sang. He had to move. He couldn't help it. He was even nicknamed "Elvis the pelvis" because of those stage antics. It didn't take a lot to set people off then. Elvis and his hips were enough.

Following the Second World War the United States was the only industrialized country with its infrastructure untouched. This was a perfect climate to begin what many had hoped would be the American Century. American values, culture and principles would spread worldwide. Everyone would follow the American example. Only one thing stood in the way of that dream - communism.

Russia had become a communist state in 1917 following a violent revolution brought about largely by the country's collapse toward the end of the First World War. The country's name changed to the Soviet Union. After the Second World War the Soviet Union controlled all of Eastern Europe. Then in 1948, under the leadership of Chairman Mao Zadong, China, the world's most populous country, became communist. The spread of communism was a major American fear.

There were reports of communists in the U.S. State Department, in Hollywood and yes, they were even said to be behind Rock 'n' Roll. The racist White Citizens Council flatly stated clearly that "Rock 'n' Roll was a communist plot using the music of the American Negro to undermine American youth."

The combination of the South's rich heritage, the thriving economy, communist fears and natural youthful rebelliousness created Rock 'n' Roll. The stars were aligned. Now, let's look at the players.

Elvis Presley. He was commonly referred to as "The King Of Rock 'n' Roll." And he was. Later, others would be bigger, sell more records, but Elvis brought Rock 'n' Roll into the mainstream. Elvis was the one everyone was measured against. Growing up he listened to all types of music and was deeply influenced by Gospel. In fact, he auditioned for the famous Blackwood Brothers Gospel group but was turned down. He wandered into Sun Records in 1953 to record some songs for his mother's birthday. He sang "Old Shep" and "My Happiness." Elvis' singing didn't initially excite Sun Records' owner Sam Phillips. But Phillips had a passion. He felt he could make a million dollars if he could find a white kid who could sing black. Months later, at the receptionists' suggestion, Elvis was called back for an audition. He sang like Dean Martin, a personal favorite, and he impersonated other contemporary styles. It was not too impressive. But during a break he started jamming with the band. He sang his own way. That changed everything.

Sam Phillips took Elvis' record to the white radio stations. They said, "We can't play a Negro singer." Phillips shrugged and took the record to the black radio stations. "Why are you giving me a record by a white boy," they asked. Eventually, the stations relented and Elvis proved popular with their audiences, blurring the once distinct racial lines.

If Elvis was a polite southern gentleman, Jerry Lee Lewis was something else. He was every thing people feared about wild-eyed southern boys. Complete faith in his own abilities, no inhibitions and just flat out uncontrollable. He was nicknamed "The Killer" and that just about said it all. Born in Louisiana, Jerry Lee was a gospel oriented piano player who went to Memphis to find the same success as Elvis. And for awhile Jerry Lee gave Elvis a run for his money but personal scandal derailed his career.

Years later when Jerry Lee had moved on to Country, he was invited to appear at the Grand Ol' Opry, Country music's home, on the condition that he only sing Country songs and not use profanity during his show. He violated both orders. Hard living, hard playing and hard headed, he was a true Rock 'n' Roll rebel.

Little Richard (Penniman) from Macon, Georgia was another Rockin' piano thumper. He also had an incredible singing voice that could unleash breath-taking wails. Little Richard had worked as a dishwasher in the Macon Greyhound bus station. When a busboy brought in another load of dishes Little Richard exclaimed, "A-bop-bop a-loom-op a-loop bop boom take them away!" The incredible "Tutti Frutti" was born. But because Little Richard was African-American his record didn't have much impact on the pop market. A white singer name Pat Boone covered the song and had a huge hit. These days though you can't find Boone's version. It's Little Richard's original that has stood the test of time.

Little Richard, like Jerry Lee, had his doubts about Rock 'n' Roll. In the late '50s he dumped Rock to become a minister. But in the late '60s he came roaring back riding the Rock revival movement.

Chuck Berry was early Rock 'n' Roll's premier songwriter. Elvis and Jerry Lee didn't write many songs. Little Richard co-wrote several of his hits with producer Bumps Blackwell. But lyrically these songs were rather simple. Chuck Berry, a former hairdresser from St. Louis, had a lock on the teen mind. His songs told a story - often humorous. He also came up with guitar licks that are still being used and abused. Berry ventured to Chicago to perform for Blues great Muddy Waters. Waters was so impressed that he recommended Berry to his label, Chess Records. From that point on Berry created several classic Rock 'n' Roll songs including "Johnny B. Good". Both the guitar line and lyrics are examples of great Rock 'n' Roll.