This book is a follow-up to Eleven Unsung Heroes of Early Rock and Roll about historic contributions by eleven artists you have never heard of unless you’re an ardent fan of early rock and roll. This time around it’s about fourteen artists who helped define the early roots of rock and roll with their historic pioneering contributions, but were never given the credit for doing so because something got in their way. With the exception of one individual, all were aspiring artists who gave their all in trying to record a hit 45 rpm vinyl record that would give them some notable household-name recognition, and they rubbed shoulders with major artists to help get the job done. The non-musician, however, had no interest in making a hit record, but the fact that this individual emceed perhaps the most famous rock-and-roll music event that became known as “the day the music died,” is as good as it gets for a meaningful historic contribution.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1

The Tolletts: First Real Buddy Holly Backup Singers

CHAPTER 2

The Picks: Second Real Buddy Holly Backup Singers

CHAPTER 3

The Roses: Third and Last Real Buddy Holly Backup Singers

CHAPTER 4

Jerry Naylor: Vocalist for the Crickets during the Band’s Early ‘60s Reformation

CHAPTER 5

Chuck Tharp: Original Vocalist for the Fireballs

CHAPTER 6

Jimmy Gilmer: Replaced Tharp, Had Monster Hit, then Slowly Faded Away

CHAPTER 7

Bob Hale: Emceed Holly’s Last Venue

CHAPTER 8

Hardrock Gunter: Claimed to Give Rock and Roll its Name

CHAPTER 9

Richard Porter and the Poor Boys: One of the Great West Texas Rockabilly Garage Bands of the ‘50s

CHAPTER 10

Ronnie Smith: Replaced Holly during Winter Dance Party Tour

CHAPTER 11

John Wagner: He Came from Norman Petty’s Studio

CHAPTER 12

Sidro Garcia: Early ’60s Albuquerque Guitarists Idolized Him; Las Vegas, Nevada, Loves Him

CHAPTER 13

Michael Z. GORDON: One of SoCal’s Principal Instrumental Surf-Rock Pioneers Who Composed “Out of Limits”

CHAPTER 14

Randy Fuller: The Bobby Fuller Four band

LATEST UPDATE

This 200-page book, which includes an index and a careful selection of historic photos of the time, is now available in both paper back and hard copy. If you liked Eleven Unsung Heroes of Early Rock and Roll, you would love these new historic, behind-the-scenes accountings by some remarkably interesting, early rock-and-roll pioneers.

For multiple purchases, please send a check payable to Mexia, Inc. to Mexia Enterprises, P.O. Box 613, Sandia Park, NM 87047.

(For multiple orders of this book by credit card, please write to rvstewartproductions@yahoo.com , enter "multiple orders" in the e-mail subject box, and request the

 number of copies you wish to purchase in the message box. A special credit-card and e-mail billing will follow.)

I thank you immensely for your early purchases, and please stay safe.

Dick Stewart