Ian Wallis is a lifelong rock 'n' roll enthusiast and has been writing about the music he loves for over 20 years. His first book, The Hawk, a biography of Ronnie Hawkins, was published in Canada in 1997. He is also joint promoter of the Rockers' Reunion Party held in Reading every January, and has had a hand in organising European tours for several American rock 'n' rollers. There is no more fervent supporter of live music, and he has travelled countless thousands of miles in pursuit of 'the greatest music in the world'. This is the first serious attempt to chronicle every visit to the UK by American (and Canadian!) rock 'n' roll artists, and includes full tour itineraries, support acts, show reports, TV appearances and a wealth of other information. The author's painstaking research is augmented with illustrations of dozens of original programmes, tickets, vintage ads and atmospheric live shots -- many of them rare or previously unpublished -- to provide a complete picture of this exciting and fascinating era
"A wonderful book... stunning stories of the Buddy Holly and Jerry Lee Lewis visits" -- Fire-Ball Mail (January 2004)
"A huge amount of effort has been expended on this book... If you ever saw any rock'n'roll personality or group on stage within the period stated, details will be here. Even if you didn't, the author brings the shows to life with his informative comments and background information - it is far more than a mere listing of venues and artists. The book is well illustrated... and the cover features a great shot of a sweaty Gene Vincent in a typical pose. I predict this book will be an indispensable work of reference for rock'n'roll fans for years to come." -- Tales From The Woods (January 2004)
"Here's a real goodie from Music Mentor Books... Compiled and very well written by respected rock'n'roll journalist Ian Wallis, each tour is looked at in depth and it all makes for good reading. Not all the acts who toured may have been your fave rave of the time, but it's interesting to see who actually did come over." -- Crickets File (January 2004)
"This is a book that you'll be referring to over and over again." -- The Beat (January 2004)
"Such a neat idea, you wonder why no-one thought of this before... This is without doubt an indispensable book for anyone who was ever able to see any of the US legends live on stage in the UK." -- Twangsville (February 2004)
"Congratulations to Ian for putting together and producing a very well researched book" -- The Eddie Cochran Connection (February 2004)
"As a precious reminder of just how many American big beat stars have traversed the length and breadth of the British Isle to promote their music, this compendium of the rock'n'roll highway is an essential addition to any bookshelf. Congratulations to all concerned." -- Now Dig This (February 2004)
"A book about the tours of American rock'n'roll artists in England between 1956 and 1972? That didn't sound too exciting to me - until I picked it up that is. After that, I couldn't put it down... A super reference work." -- Rock'n'Roll Musikmagazin (February 2004)
Translated from German "I expected this to be reasonably interesting but basically a reference book rather than a good read. How wrong I was. For the first time in ages I read a book from cover to cover." -- Pipeline (February 2004)
