107 Fun Facts About Rock and Roll

Which artist is often called the "King of Rock and Roll"?

Elvis Presley became the King of Rock and Roll by fusing blues, country and gospel into a sound that made rock a mass phenomenon in the 1950s, though other claimants to the crown existed.

What was the name of The Beatles' first studio album?

Please Please Me was released on March 22, 1963, and was recorded in a single day at Abbey Road Studios.

Which band released the album "Nevermind" in 1991?

Nirvana's Nevermind, released on September 24, 1991, took grunge mainstream on the back of 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' and became one of the best-selling albums of all time.

What instrument is Keith Richards famous for playing?

Guitar riffs are Keith Richards' signature: the Rolling Stones' co-founder and co-principal songwriter wrote the fuzz opening of '(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction'.

Which rock band is known for the song "Bohemian Rhapsody"?

Queen released 'Bohemian Rhapsody' in 1975 on the album A Night at the Opera; the multi-section single spent nine weeks at No. 1 on the UK chart.

What was the first year the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame held its induction ceremony?

The first Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony was held on January 23, 1986, at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City.

Which guitarist is known for playing his instrument left-handed and upside down?

Left-handed, he flipped right-handed Fender Stratocasters upside down and restrung them, which shaped his sound.

Which band's logo features a tongue and lips?

The Rolling Stones' tongue and lips was drawn by art student John Pasche in 1970, and the 'Hot Lips' logo became one of the most recognised images in rock.

Which city's CBGB club was the cradle of American punk in the mid-1970s?

New York City's CBGB club was the epicenter of the American punk movement, launching bands like the Ramones, Television, and Blondie in the mid-1970s.

Which album by Pink Floyd features a prism on its cover?

The Dark Side of the Moon's prism, designed by Hipgnosis from a physics-textbook photo Storm Thorgerson found, fronts an album that had logged more than 990 weeks on the Billboard 200 by early 2026.

Which rock band released the iconic album "Back in Black" in 1980?

AC/DC released Back in Black in 1980 as a tribute to their late vocalist Bon Scott. It became one of the best-selling albums in history with over 50 million copies sold worldwide.

What was the original name of the band Led Zeppelin?

Led Zeppelin initially formed as The New Yardbirds in 1968 to fulfill remaining concert dates for The Yardbirds before renaming themselves Led Zeppelin.

Which 1991 Pearl Jam debut album includes 'Alive', 'Even Flow' and 'Jeremy'?

Ten, Pearl Jam's debut, was released on 27 August 1991 and carried 'Alive', 'Even Flow' and 'Jeremy'; it went on to sell more than ten million copies in the United States.

What was Kurt Cobain's primary guitar brand of choice?

Kurt Cobain was strongly associated with Fender guitars, particularly the Fender Mustang and Fender Jaguar, which became iconic grunge instruments.

Which 1975 Bruce Springsteen album features 'Thunder Road' and 'Jungleland'?

Born to Run, released in August 1975, opens with 'Thunder Road' and closes with 'Jungleland'; it was Springsteen's breakthrough, peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard 200.

Which band's debut album was titled "Appetite for Destruction"?

Guns N' Roses' Appetite for Destruction, released July 21, 1987, is the best-selling debut album in US history, with over 30 million copies sold worldwide.

Which drummer did Ringo Starr replace in the Beatles in August 1962?

Pete Best drummed for the Beatles from 1960 until he was dismissed on 16 August 1962 and replaced by Ringo Starr, shortly before the group recorded 'Love Me Do'.

Which member of The Who was known for his explosive drumming style?

Keith Moon was famous for his wild, chaotic drumming style and his penchant for destroying his drum kits on stage. He is widely regarded as one of rock's greatest drummers.

Which Chuck Berry song is considered one of the first true rock and roll records?

"Maybellene" (1955) was Chuck Berry's first hit single and is considered one of the earliest rock and roll recordings, blending country rhythms with blues guitar.

Which Pioneer Square bar, open since 1892, hosted the Nirvana show that led to their Sub Pop signing?

The Central Saloon, established in 1892, is among Seattle's oldest bars, and Soundgarden and most of the city's grunge royalty played early shows there.

What was the first single released by The Ramones?

"Blitzkrieg Bop" was released in 1976 as The Ramones' debut single. Its opening chant of "Hey! Ho! Let's Go!" became one of punk rock's most iconic moments.

Which British band released the concept album "The Wall" in 1979?

Pink Floyd released The Wall in 1979, a rock opera conceived by Roger Waters about a rock star who isolates himself behind a metaphorical wall. It was later adapted into a 1982 film.

Which guitarist was known as "Slowhand"?

Eric Clapton picked up the nickname "Slowhand" in his Yardbirds days. Manager Giorgio Gomelsky coined it as a pun on the slow handclap audiences gave while he replaced broken strings on stage.

What was the name of the company through which Malcolm McLaren managed the Sex Pistols?

Glitterbest was Malcolm McLaren's management company for the Sex Pistols; John Lydon later sued McLaren and Glitterbest over the band's earnings. The band's record labels were EMI, then A&M, then Virgin.

Which band did Joy Division's surviving members form after Ian Curtis died in 1980?

New Order formed in 1980 when Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook and Stephen Morris regrouped after Ian Curtis's suicide, adding Gillian Gilbert; 'Blue Monday' (1983) became their signature single.

Which band backed Buddy Holly on the 1957 hit 'That'll Be the Day'?

The Crickets, Buddy Holly's band from Lubbock, Texas, recorded 'That'll Be the Day' at Norman Petty's Clovis, New Mexico studio in February 1957; it reached No. 1 on Billboard's Best Sellers chart that September.

Which rock pioneer was nicknamed "The Architect of Rock and Roll"?

Little Richard was called "The Architect of Rock and Roll" for his flamboyant performing style and influential recordings like "Tutti Frutti" and "Long Tall Sally" in the mid-1950s.

Which Nirvana album was produced by Steve Albini?

Steve Albini produced Nirvana's third and final studio album, In Utero (1993). Albini was chosen for his raw, abrasive recording style as a deliberate departure from Nevermind's polished sound.

Which rock festival in 1969 was marred by violence and the death of a concertgoer?

The Altamont Free Concert on December 6, 1969, featured the Rolling Stones and was marred by the stabbing death of Meredith Hunter by a Hells Angels member acting as security.

Which Clash album's cover, with Paul Simonon smashing his bass, borrows its lettering from Elvis Presley's debut LP?

London Calling's cover uses Pennie Smith's photo of Paul Simonon smashing his bass at the New York Palladium, with pink-and-green lettering copied from Elvis Presley's 1956 debut LP.

Which band featured brothers Ray and Dave Davies?

The Kinks were formed in 1963 by brothers Ray and Dave Davies in North London. Their rivalry and creative tension produced classics like "You Really Got Me" and "Waterloo Sunset."

What was the name of Radiohead's groundbreaking 1997 album?

OK Computer (1997) was a critical and commercial breakthrough for Radiohead, exploring themes of modern alienation and technology. It is frequently listed among the greatest albums of the 1990s.

Which record label signed Elvis Presley in 1955, launching his national career?

RCA Victor purchased Elvis Presley's contract from Sun Records in November 1955 for $35,000, an unprecedented sum at the time. His first RCA single, "Heartbreak Hotel," became a number-one hit.

Which band released the album "Rumours" in 1977?

Fleetwood Mac made Rumours in 1977 while the band members were going through painful breakups with each other, and it has sold over 40 million copies worldwide.

Which December 1976 Eagles album features 'New Kid in Town' and 'Life in the Fast Lane'?

Hotel California, released on 8 December 1976, produced the hits 'New Kid in Town' and 'Life in the Fast Lane'; its title track won the Grammy for Record of the Year in 1978.

Never a single yet the most requested song on 1970s FM radio, which Led Zeppelin IV track is often called rock's greatest?

'Stairway to Heaven' was never released as a single, yet became the most requested song on FM radio in the 1970s; it closes side one of 1971's Led Zeppelin IV.

Which rock band's members all adopted the surname Ramone as a stage name?

The Ramones adopted the shared surname as a band gimmick, inspired by Paul McCartney's early pseudonym "Paul Ramon." None of the members were actually related.

Which album is commonly known as "The White Album"?

The Beatles' self-titled 1968 double album is universally known as "The White Album" due to its plain white cover. It was a deliberate contrast to the colorful Sgt. Pepper's cover.

Which Creedence Clearwater Revival member wrote and sang 'Fortunate Son'?

John Fogerty wrote and sang 'Fortunate Son', which Creedence Clearwater Revival released in 1969 on Willy and the Poor Boys as a protest at privileged sons escaping the Vietnam draft.

Which female rock artist released the album "Jagged Little Pill" in 1995?

Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill, released in June 1995, sold over 33 million copies, and 'You Oughta Know' became a defining track of 1990s rock.

Which producer is known as the "Fifth Beatle" for his work on nearly all Beatles recordings?

George Martin produced nearly all of The Beatles' recordings and was instrumental in shaping their sound, from the orchestral arrangements on "Eleanor Rigby" to the experimental techniques on Sgt. Pepper's.

Which Kiss member performs as 'The Demon', breathing fire and spitting blood on stage?

Gene Simmons, Kiss's bassist, created the blood-spitting, fire-breathing Demon persona for the band's 1970s stage show, alongside Paul Stanley's Starchild, Ace Frehley's Spaceman and Peter Criss's Catman.

What was the name of the Seattle-based record label that signed Nirvana, Soundgarden, and Mudhoney?

Sub Pop Records, founded by Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman in 1986, became the home of the grunge movement. They signed Nirvana, Soundgarden, Mudhoney, and many other influential Seattle bands.

Which rock musician was known as "The Lizard King"?

Jim Morrison of The Doors declared "I am the Lizard King, I can do anything" at the close of "Not to Touch the Earth", a fragment of his longer piece "Celebration of the Lizard". The nickname became shorthand for his shamanic stage persona.

Which U2 album features the songs "Where the Streets Have No Name" and "With or Without You"?

The Joshua Tree (1987) catapulted U2 to global superstardom. It won Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards and has sold over 25 million copies worldwide.

Who sang lead vocals and played bass in The Police?

Sting, born Gordon Sumner, sang and played bass for The Police, writing the trio's hits 'Roxanne' (1978), 'Message in a Bottle' (1979) and 'Every Breath You Take' (1983).

What 1985 benefit concert raised money for Ethiopian famine relief?

Live Aid was held on July 13, 1985, simultaneously at Wembley Stadium in London and JFK Stadium in Philadelphia. Organized by Bob Geldof, it raised over $125 million for famine relief.

Which Green Day album is a rock opera about a character named "Jesus of Suburbia"?

American Idiot (2004) is a punk rock opera that follows the story of "Jesus of Suburbia." The album revitalized Green Day's career and was later adapted into a hit Broadway musical.

Which instrument did John Bonham play in Led Zeppelin?

John Bonham played drums for Led Zeppelin from 1968 until his death in September 1980, after which the band announced in December 1980 that it could not continue without him.

Which rock star is nicknamed 'The Boss'?

Bruce Springsteen picked up the nickname 'The Boss' in his early New Jersey bar-band days, when he collected the night's pay and handed out his bandmates' shares.

Which Lynyrd Skynyrd song was written in reply to Neil Young's 'Southern Man'?

'Sweet Home Alabama' (1974) answers Neil Young's 'Southern Man' by name in its lyrics; Lynyrd Skynyrd's single reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Which Eddie Cochran hit of 1958 was later covered by Blue Cheer and The Who?

'Summertime Blues', Eddie Cochran's 1958 hit, reached No. 8 in the US and was later covered by Blue Cheer in 1968 and by The Who on Live at Leeds in 1970.

Which music genre emerged in the late 1970s from punk rock with a more experimental, electronic sound?

New Wave music incorporated elements of punk rock but often featured synthesizers, diverse lyrical themes, and a more polished production.

Which small New York town hosted the Woodstock Music & Art Fair in August 1969?

Bethel, New York hosted the festival on Max Yasgur's 600-acre dairy farm, about 40 miles southwest of the town of Woodstock that gave the event its name.

Which 'Father of Rock and Roll' recorded 'Roll Over Beethoven' and 'Johnny B. Goode'?

Chuck Berry wrote and recorded 'Roll Over Beethoven' (1956) and 'Johnny B. Goode' (1958), pairing teenage lyrics with guitar solos and his duck walk; nearly everything that followed borrowed from him.

Which Roy Orbison single topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1964?

'Oh, Pretty Woman', written by Roy Orbison and Bill Dees, spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in September 1964, his second US chart-topper after 'Running Scared'.

Who was Queen's charismatic lead vocalist?

Freddie Mercury was born Farrokh Bulsara; his powerful voice and flamboyant stage presence made him one of rock's most unforgettable frontmen until his death in November 1991.

Which instrument did Little Richard pound with frenetic energy?

Little Richard's wild piano playing and dynamic stage presence made him a pioneer of rock and roll and an influential figure in popular music.

Which band released the single 'My Generation' in 1965?

'My Generation', released by The Who in October 1965, featured Roger Daltrey's stuttered vocal and a bass solo by John Entwistle; it reached No. 2 on the UK singles chart.

Which band's 1965 cover of Bob Dylan's 'Mr. Tambourine Man' launched folk rock?

The Byrds' jangling twelve-string version of 'Mr. Tambourine Man' reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in June 1965 and is widely credited as the first folk-rock hit.

In what year was the influential punk rock band Ramones formed in New York City?

The Ramones, often considered the godfathers of punk, were formed in Forest Hills, Queens, New York, in 1974.

Which Nirvana drummer went on to found Foo Fighters?

Dave Grohl joined Nirvana in 1990 and, after Kurt Cobain's death, recorded the first Foo Fighters album almost entirely by himself, releasing it in July 1995.

Which 1969 rock opera by The Who tells the story of a "deaf, dumb, and blind" boy?

Tommy (1969), The Who's double-album rock opera, follows a deaf, dumb and blind pinball champion; Ken Russell filmed it in 1975 and it reached Broadway in 1993.

Which of David Bowie's iconic alter egos was an androgynous alien rock star from his 1972 album?

Ziggy Stardust, the alien rock star of 1972's The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, was retired by Bowie on stage at the Hammersmith Odeon on 3 July 1973.

In what year did Bob Dylan 'go electric' at the Newport Folk Festival?

Bob Dylan's electric set at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965 marked a pivotal moment in music history, blurring the lines between folk and rock.

Which band did Janis Joplin front before going solo?

Janis Joplin fronted Big Brother and the Holding Company from 1966, breaking out at Monterey Pop in 1967 and on the 1968 album Cheap Thrills before leaving for a solo career.

Which 1986 Bon Jovi album includes 'Livin' on a Prayer'?

Slippery When Wet, released in August 1986, gave Bon Jovi two Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 singles, 'You Give Love a Bad Name' and 'Livin' on a Prayer', and topped the Billboard 200.

Who is the lead vocalist and primary lyricist for the alternative rock band R.E.M.?

Michael Stipe co-founded R.E.M. in Athens, Georgia in 1980 and sang and wrote the lyrics for hits such as 'Losing My Religion' (1991) and 'Everybody Hurts' (1992).

Which Iggy Pop-fronted band released 'I Wanna Be Your Dog' in 1969?

The Stooges, formed in Ann Arbor, Michigan with Iggy Pop as singer, released 'I Wanna Be Your Dog' on their 1969 debut album, which John Cale of the Velvet Underground produced.

In what year did The Clash release 'London Calling' in the UK?

Released in 1979, 'London Calling' is a post-punk masterpiece that showcased The Clash's musical versatility and critical songwriting.

Which 1970 Grateful Dead album features 'Box of Rain' and 'Friend of the Devil'?

'American Beauty' is one of two acclaimed acoustic-leaning albums released by the Grateful Dead in 1970, showcasing their songwriting prowess beyond their jam-band reputation.

Which 1972 Neil Young album includes 'Heart of Gold'?

Harvest, released in February 1972, was that year's best-selling album in the United States and gave Neil Young his only US No. 1 single, 'Heart of Gold'.

What imagery is on the cover of "Led Zeppelin IV"?

Robert Plant bought the picture of an old man carrying a bundle of sticks in an antique shop in Reading. In 2023 it was identified as an 1892 hand-coloured photograph of a Wiltshire thatcher named Lot Long.

Approximately how long is Queen's epic and innovative song 'Bohemian Rhapsody'?

At almost six minutes long, 'Bohemian Rhapsody' broke conventional song structures for radio play and became one of Queen's most iconic tracks.

Which 1966 Beach Boys album is widely considered a masterpiece and a major influence?

Pet Sounds, released in May 1966, was largely written and produced by Brian Wilson and includes 'God Only Knows' and 'Wouldn't It Be Nice'; Paul McCartney cited it as an inspiration for Sgt. Pepper.

Which trio of musicians makes up the classic lineup of the American blues-rock band ZZ Top?

Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill, Frank Beard: that trio played together from 1970 until Hill's death in July 2021, an unchanged lineup of more than fifty years that few rock bands have matched.

Who was the original charismatic lead singer of the hard rock band Van Halen?

David Lee Roth fronted Van Halen from its 1978 debut album through 1984 before leaving for a solo career; Sammy Hagar replaced him in 1985.

What image is prominently featured on the iconic album cover of Nirvana's 'Nevermind'?

The 'Nevermind' album cover, featuring a naked baby swimming towards a dollar bill on a fishhook, is one of the most recognizable in rock history.

Who co-founded the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1983 as their lead vocalist?

Anthony Kiedis co-founded the Red Hot Chili Peppers in Los Angeles in 1983 with Flea, Hillel Slovak and Jack Irons and sang on every album from their 1984 debut onward.

In what year did Green Day release their breakthrough album 'Dookie'?

Released in 1994, 'Dookie' propelled Green Day to mainstream success, becoming a defining album of the pop-punk movement.

Metallica's self-titled 1991 album is nicknamed after which colour?

The 1991 self-titled release is known to everyone as The Black Album: its cover is almost entirely black, with the band logo and a coiled snake embossed so faintly they are barely visible.

What is the name of the skeletal, zombie-like mascot that appears on most Iron Maiden album covers?

Eddie, also known as Eddie the Head, is Iron Maiden's iconic mascot, featured prominently in their artwork and live shows.

Which 1989 Pixies album includes 'Monkey Gone to Heaven' and 'Here Comes Your Man'?

Doolittle, released in April 1989, was the Pixies' second full album and carried 'Monkey Gone to Heaven', 'Here Comes Your Man' and 'Debaser'; it reached No. 8 on the UK albums chart.

Deep Purple's 'Smoke on the Water' recounts which 1971 event in Montreux?

'Smoke on the Water' describes a casino fire: the Montreux Casino burned down on 4 December 1971 during a Frank Zappa concert, sending smoke over Lake Geneva while Deep Purple waited to record Machine Head.

What distinct guitar effect is famously heard on The Kinks' 1964 hit 'You Really Got Me'?

Distortion: Dave Davies got the snarling tone on 'You Really Got Me' by slicing the speaker cone of his small Elpico amplifier with a razor blade, making it one of the first hits built on fuzzy power chords.

Who was the primary vocalist for the influential avant-garde rock band The Velvet Underground?

Lou Reed was the main singer, songwriter, and guitarist for The Velvet Underground, known for his distinctive monotone delivery and gritty lyrics.

Who fronted Blondie on hits such as 'Heart of Glass' and 'Call Me'?

Deborah Harry co-founded Blondie with guitarist Chris Stein in 1974 and sang the band's four US No. 1 hits: 'Heart of Glass', 'Call Me', 'The Tide Is High' and 'Rapture'.

Who co-founded Talking Heads and sang lead on 'Psycho Killer' and 'Once in a Lifetime'?

David Byrne co-founded Talking Heads in New York in 1975 with Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth and sang lead on 'Psycho Killer' (1977) and 'Once in a Lifetime' (1980).

Who founded The Cure in Crawley in 1978 and sang 'Friday I'm in Love'?

Robert Smith founded The Cure in Crawley, England in 1978 and sang and wrote 'Boys Don't Cry' (1979), 'Just Like Heaven' (1987) and 'Friday I'm in Love' (1992).

Which Manchester band paired singer Morrissey with guitarist Johnny Marr from 1982 to 1987?

The Smiths formed in Manchester in 1982 around Morrissey and Johnny Marr and released four studio albums, including The Queen Is Dead (1986), before splitting in 1987.

What is the title of Coldplay's debut studio album, released in 2000?

'Parachutes' introduced Coldplay's melodic and introspective sound to the world, featuring hit singles like 'Yellow' and 'Trouble'.

Which 1995 Smashing Pumpkins double album includes '1979' and 'Tonight, Tonight'?

Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, the Smashing Pumpkins' 28-track double album of October 1995, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and carried '1979', 'Tonight, Tonight' and 'Bullet with Butterfly Wings'.

What was the title of Oasis's debut studio album, released in 1994?

Released in 1994, 'Definitely Maybe' was an instant success for Oasis, marking the beginning of their rise as Britpop icons.

Which 1995 Pulp album includes 'Common People' and 'Disco 2000'?

Different Class, released in October 1995, carried 'Common People' and 'Disco 2000', entered the UK albums chart at No. 1 and won Pulp the 1996 Mercury Prize.

Who was the lead singer and bassist for the influential progressive rock band Rush?

Geddy Lee's distinctive high-pitched vocals and complex basslines were central to the unique sound and success of Rush for over four decades.

Which Fleetwood Mac singer was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice?

Stevie Nicks entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Fleetwood Mac in 1998 and again as a solo artist in 2019, the first woman inducted twice.

Which Cleveland disc jockey popularised the phrase 'rock and roll' on mainstream radio from 1951?

Alan Freed began his Moondog Show on Cleveland's WJW in July 1951, playing rhythm and blues to white teenagers and calling the music 'rock and roll'; he took the show to New York's WINS in 1954.

Which Omaha radio station owner was the first to adopt the Top 40 format, in 1953?

His station KOWH and its imitators helped promote the genre; by the mid-50s playlists featured Presley, Lewis, Haley, Berry and Domino.

Which 1938 Big Joe Turner single with his pianist is regarded as an important precursor of the genre?

'Roll 'Em Pete', recorded by Big Joe Turner with boogie-woogie pianist Pete Johnson in December 1938, paired shouted blues vocals with a driving eight-to-the-bar beat that prefigured rock and roll.

Which producer recorded 'Rocket 88', often called the first rock and roll record, in March 1951?

Sam Phillips recorded 'Rocket 88' at his Memphis Recording Service in March 1951 with Ike Turner's Kings of Rhythm, fronted by Jackie Brenston, and leased it to Chess Records.

Which 1955 film's opening sequence turned 'Rock Around the Clock' into a hit?

Blackboard Jungle (1955) played Bill Haley & His Comets' 'Rock Around the Clock' over its opening credits; the record, cut in April 1954, then shot to No. 1 on the Billboard chart.

Which Connecticut musician coined 'rockabilly' for his hillbilly-rock mix around 1953?

The term usually refers to mid-1950s white singers like Presley, Perkins, Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis who drew on country roots.

Georgia Gibbs's sanitised 1955 cover 'Dance with Me...' reworked which Etta James song?

'Roll with Me, Henry' (also titled 'The Wallflower'), Etta James's 1955 answer to Hank Ballard's 'Work with Me, Annie', was cleaned up as 'Dance with Me Henry' by Georgia Gibbs, who took it to No. 1.

Presley's 'Hound Dog' was taken mainly from a version by which pop band?

Presley based his 1956 'Hound Dog' on the comic lounge version by Freddie Bell and the Bellboys, which he saw in Las Vegas that spring; Big Mama Thornton's blues original had come out in 1953.

In which month and year did Little Richard retire from rock and roll to become a preacher?

Little Richard quit rock and roll in October 1957, midway through an Australian tour, to study for the ministry; alongside Presley's 1958 army call-up and Buddy Holly's 1959 death, it is often said to have ended rock's first phase.

Which 1958 single is considered Britain's first 'authentic' rock and roll song?

'Move It', written by Ian Samwell and released by Cliff Richard and the Drifters in August 1958, reached No. 2 in the UK and is widely regarded as Britain's first authentic rock and roll record.

Which American singer bucked the British Invasion with rock and roll hits such as 'Memphis'?

Johnny Rivers kept straight rock and roll on the US charts during the British Invasion with his live-at-the-Whisky cover of Chuck Berry's 'Memphis', a No. 2 hit in 1964.