Rock of Ages: The Rolling Stone History of Rock & Roll

The previous reviewer complains this book is riddled with cliches about how rock n' roll developed from the intersection of blues and hillbilly music. I think for many readers this will be less a cliche than a revelation. Consider the audience this book is aimed at...after all it does have "Rolling Stone" in the title, and was doubtless not aimed at music academia. This reviewer quickly dismisses the book but does not provide any contrary facts or insights into the subject. Me thinks he protest too much. This can serve as a nice overall history of rock n' roll, although being 20 years old it probably could use a few pages of update.

A tour de force of monumental proportions, Geoffrey Stokes has really turned an entire generation of music into a concise yet informative book that truly stimulates the intellect of even the faintest fan of American rock & roll. Clever anecdotes reveal each musician's voice behind timeless classics of the modern era. A must have for all; this book can easily complete a collection or start it. I recommend it with ALL of my critical expertise.