| Oh, Boy! Did Roy Orbison get it wrong? Buddy Holly | | | | now 50 years since Rock 'n' Roll first appeared and |
| would have rolled over in his grave while Beethoven, | | | | we still remember how. |
| contrary to the lyrics of Chuck Berry's classic song, | | | | Its a fair bet that Roy Orbison's early songs are |
| rests peacefully in his, secure in the knowledge that | | | | played a lot more often around the world nowadays |
| his music has withstood the test of time. Rock 'n' Roll | | | | than the Walker Brothers records are. The main |
| die? That'll be the day! | | | | reason for that is simply that you can Rock 'n' Roll to |
| In the late nineteen sixties Roy Orbison, on a concert | | | | them. It can have little to do with the quality of the |
| tour of Australia, arrived in Adelaide on the same | | | | music, since those of us who were teenagers back |
| flight as the Walker Brothers. I recall watching on | | | | then have forgotten so many excellent recordings |
| television the airport interview in which Roy, always | | | | from when we were young. |
| the nice guy, explained how much he loved the music | | | | Simply put, the dance preserved the music rather |
| of Scott Walker and his fellow band members. He | | | | than vice versa. Without the lasting popularity of the |
| went on to explain that he believed Rock 'n' Roll was | | | | energetic, versatile and easily learned dance style, the |
| a passing craze which would soon die out, but that | | | | music would probably have died long ago. Perhaps not |
| the wonderful music of the Walker Brothers would | | | | all of it, at least initially. Elvis fans will no doubt testify |
| live on forever. | | | | to the immortality of The King's music, but reality will |
| Sadly, it was the loveable Roy himself who would | | | | triumph. Elvis fans are no more immortal in the flesh |
| soon die after such a tragic life, leaving behind a rich | | | | than he was. They too will eventually die out. |
| legacy of music that remains very popular so many | | | | Most young people who learn Rock 'n' Roll dance |
| years later. As for the music of the Walker Brothers, | | | | nowadays have no more preference for the music |
| they certainly left the world with some memorable | | | | of Elvis or The Beatles than they have for any of |
| hits. "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Any More", "My Ship | | | | the obscure one-hit-wonders who contributed so |
| Is Coming In" and "Make It Easy On Yourself" were | | | | many of the old hit records. They find Smashmouth |
| all Walker Brothers originals that come instantly to | | | | more appealing as artists, but if an old song is good |
| mind, but you can't dance Rock 'n' Roll to them. | | | | to dance to they like it no matter who recorded it. |
| Roy's gaff can be forgiven. Its true that the | | | | Its reasonable to assume they will preserve much of |
| production of music in the original Rock 'n' Roll style | | | | the music after we are gone, but mainly for dance |
| didn't continue, although artists like Shakin' Stevens | | | | purposes rather than for entertainment. |
| did release some pretty good tracks in the old style | | | | That is what has happened to other music styles. For |
| during the 'seventies and when Jackie Wilson's Reet | | | | example, the folk music that was so popular in the |
| Petite was re-released after his death it soared up | | | | late 'fifties and early 'sixties has died out because you |
| the charts. In Australia, even Gene Chandler's Duke | | | | can't dance to it. On the other hand many old time |
| of Earl enjoyed a revival in the 'eighties after it was | | | | tunes such as waltzes and marches remain popular |
| featured in a television commercial. The expected | | | | today because ballroom dancing preserves them. |
| death of Rock 'n' Roll wasn't happening. | | | | So, how long will Rock 'n' Roll last? No-one can tell, |
| This also brings to mind a song released by one of | | | | but the waltz dates back to 1780 and is still |
| the most successful Australian groups of the 'sixties, | | | | practiced, so our favourite dance and music style |
| The Master's Apprentices. The lyrics say "Rockin', | | | | might have a couple of hundred years to live yet. |
| Rollin' we're still doing it now, 15 years today and we | | | | Perhaps then a songwriter will compose a song in the |
| remember how." When that song was released in | | | | popular style of the day entitled "Roll Over, Roy |
| 1970 it was apparently remarkable that we | | | | Orbison. |
| "remembered how" after an eon of 15 years. Its | | | | |