New Orleans can arguably lay claim to being at least one of rock and roll's many simultaneous birthplaces (along with Memphis, Chicago, and New York), but the unassuming nature of the town, its music, and its artists means it often gets unfairly overlooked. Fact is, the city's mix of Caribbean rhythms, African heritage, Southern grit and urban machismo made it a perfect breeding ground. Indeed, the city's biggest star, Fats Domino, was as facile at crossbreeding American styles of music as Elvis Presley, combining country, pop standards, swing, jump blues, and boogie-woogie into a logical (and danceable) whole. He was rewarded accordingly, too: in the first generation of rock and roll, only Elvis sold more records. So why doesn't Fats garner the near-religious intensity of fan worship Elvis still commands, years after his death? Because New Orleans' musical artists are not about celebrity. They're about music.
Following is a short list of links about New Orleans and its contribution to the birth of rock and roll. It's not meant to be complete, yet: this is a resource that will evolve over time. If you think you know of a link that should be here, feel free and e-mail me!
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