The Roots of Rock ‘n’ Roll: 1950 – 1965

The Middlebury Public Library presents Brian Gillie's free library program, The Roots of Rock 'n' Roll: 1950-1965 on Thursday, August 23rd at 6:30 PM.

"The Roots of Rock 'n' Roll" is a live one-man, one-hour show that comes packaged with history, impersonations, props, stand-up piano playing, rock dances and the best songs from doo-wop, Motown, British invasion, surfin', soul music, girl groups, novelty songs and more.

Meet the personalities, the songs and the culture that shaped the music of the bandstand '50s and '60s: Little Richard to Beach Boys, Chuck Berry to Beatles, Elvis to Supremes. It's the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame delivered to your library.

Your audience will also learn how the singing styles of black field hands, blues artists and country and western pickers all became important ingredients in the rock 'n' roll stew. Short sound-bites from the actual recordings, 1950s' radio commercials and DJ banter all add to the mix and keep one and all smiling and singing.

Brian Gillie is a full-time performance educator with Young Audiences of CT and a Master Teacher with CT Commission on Arts and Tourism.

This is a free program open to people of all ages sponsored by the Friends of Middlebury Library. Light refreshments will be available.