Paul Calle (1928 - 2010) and Chris Calle (B. 1961) "1950s - Rock 'n Roll" Signed lower right. Original Mixed Media painting on Illustration Board.

Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation.

This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. 33c Rock 'n' Roll stamp issued May 26, 1999.

In 1954, Cleveland disc jockey Alan Freed coined the term "Rock 'n' Roll" to describe the loud, rebellious music that was rapidly gaining favor with America's youth. Drawing its influences from African-American blues and southern hillbilly traditions, Rock 'n' Roll gave its devotees a wide diversity of sounds, ranging from strong eight-note beats over a static harmony, to ballads and speeded-up versions of the 12-bar blues. In 1955, the popular film Blackboard Jungle featured Bill Haley and the Comets singing Rock Around the Clock. This wildly energetic tune was the first Rock 'n' Roll number to be recorded by a major label, as well as the first to reach a national audience -- selling an amazing 22 million copies. Influential Rock 'n' Roll artists included Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley -- the most famous Rock 'n' Roller of all. The biggest hit of 1956 was Presley's Heartbreak Hotel. His follow-up hits Don't Be Cruel and Hound Dog solidified Presley's status as the "King of Rock 'n' Roll". From the beginning, Rock 'n' Roll was attacked on grounds that it contributed to the moral decadence of American society. Rock 'n' Roll thrived, however, forever changing American language, dress and culture.

Image Size: 16 x 13.5 in.
Overall Size: 23 x 16 in.
Unframed.
(B16396 / B16397)

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