Lonnie Donegan, the king of skiffle, was one of the most influential figures in British music. His death in November 2002 was front-page news, with tributes paid by dozens of artists he influenced, from Sir Paul McCartney to Elton John, Brian May, Ringo Starr, Van Morrison and Mark Knopfler. Lonnie Donnegan first entered the charts in January 1956 with "Rock Island Line" - four months before Elvis Presley's UK chart debut, two years before Cliff Richard, and a full six years before The Beatles! Thanks to Lonnie Donegan's championing of skiffle, a unique jazz-folk-blues hybrid, an entire generation of British teenagers were inspired to make their own music. Skiffle was DIY rock 'n' roll, and everyone - from Melvyn Bragg and Roy Hudd to John Lennon and Hank Marvin - fell under its spell. It was estimated that at the time, more than ten per cent of British teenagers were in a skiffle group - it was a sensation that was to influence music around the globe. This book is a comprehensive biography and a story about a 50s phenomenon that lasted into the 21st century.
- ISBN10 185227073X
- ISBN13 9781852270735
- Publish Date 18 March 2004
- Publish Status Cancelled
- Out of Print 8 September 2004
- Publish Country GB
- Imprint Virgin Books
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 304
- Language English