The History of Rock and Roll

The History of Rock and Roll was a radio documentary series on Rock and roll music produced by Bill Drake and Gene Chenault. They produced and syndicated different editions of the documentary in 1969, 1978, and 1981. The 48 hour 1969 edition was written by Pete Johnson, with versions narrated by Robert W. Morgan & Humble Harve Miller. The 52 hour 1978 edition was written by Gary Theroux and narrated by Bill Drake.

1969 edition

• I included nearly every record I ever rem[em]ber hearing.
  • Writer Pete Johnson, in Hopkins, Jerry (April 5, 1969). "'Rockumentary' Radio Milestone". Rolling Stone (30): p. 9. 

1978 edition

• I wanted to write about school because most of my audience at the particular time was of a school element.
  • Chuck Berry on "School Days", Hour 1: "The Birth of Rock & Roll".

• What they call rock and roll now is rhythm and blues: I've been playing for 15 years in New Orleans.
  • Fats Domino, Hour 1: "The Birth of Rock & Roll".

• Rock and roll music ... is not rhythm and blues music; it's not country and western music; it's not jazz; it's a combination of these things.
  • Bill Haley, Hour 2: Early Rock & Roll.

Audio sources

• The Reel Top 40 Radio Repository - The History of Rock and Roll Demo. Reelradio.com.
• Audio of 1978 edition