Rock’s Stone Age

Regarding the question of the first rock ‘n’ roll record as discussed in Pop Eye (Aug. 2), I kindly submit that authors Steve Propes and Jim Dawson completely miss the mark.

While there were probably many small events instrumental in rock’s formation, as a first-generation rock ‘n’ roller I know what ignited the flame in the breasts of the teen record buyers of the day, and it was a man, a movie, a song and a medium. The man was Bill Haley, the song was “Rock Around the Clock,” the movie was “Blackboard Jungle,” and the medium was a 45-rpm piece of vinyl. Together they created the flash point of rock.

I was certainly imprinted by others, but just as you couldn’t claim to have thrown the first party if no one showed up, you can’t make a claim for the first rock ‘n’ roll record if nobody bought it.

MILT WILSON

Santa Monica