Despite a big-ticket cast, it was a seven-year-old girl on debut that stole the show in Elvis’ 12th movie… By Douglas McPherson According to the old showbiz adage, you should never work with animals or children, but it’s Elvis’ interaction with not one but two kids that make MGM’s It Happened At The World’s Fair one of his cutest big-screen offerings. The Seattle World’s Fair, also known as the Century 21 Exposition (hence the name of the Century 21 trailer park where Presley’s character rents an apartment), ran from April-through-October, 1962. Exhibits included a futuristic monorail and the ..read more

After turning his back on rock’n’roll to spread the word of God, Little Richard made a dramatic return in the early 60s. Randy Fox celebrates the second coming of His Majesty… In the early 60s, Little Richard was at the second major crossroads of his life. In 1958 he had made the decision to walk away from money, fame and rock’n’roll to pursue a life in the ministry with his Little Richard Evangelistic Team. He was primarily faithful to his promise – attending seminary school, forming an evangelical crusade, preaching sermons and recording gospel music for a variety of record labels. In 1962 h ..read more

Shakin’ Stevens took rockabilly-lite to the top of the pop charts in the early 80s, but his first album with The Sunsets is one of the most explosive UK rock’n’roll albums ever. Jack Watkins revisits a lost and rare classic with the help of those who were there… Shakin’ Stevens’ 80s hit-making juggernaut left no space for reflection on the earliest part of his career when he was cutting earthier, rootsier rock’n’roll. It meant the memory of his work with The Sunsets and their almost heroic part in keeping the British rock’n’roll flame alive fell off the radar. Yet, given a fairer wind, their d ..read more

Our Spring Sale has arrived, and you’ll find it pretty difficult to turn down this offer. Get 2 years of Vintage Rock magazine for the price of 1 when you join us today. Here’s what you’ll get for just £41.94: 12 issues of Vintage Rock delivered to your door, saving 50% The digital version of each issue sent straight to your device Access to our digital magazine archive, where you can read every issue ever published Exclusive discounts to use on back issues and special editions SUBSCRIBE TODAY TO CLAIM THIS OFFER ➔ Terms & Conditions: Offer is based on ..read more

For years after its release in 1966, The Night And Day Of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, recorded in Britain, was an undervalued and almost forgotten album until its CD reappearance in 2017. In fact, it showcases an artist who was far more versatile than his familiar image suggests… By Jack Watkins It’s fair to say that during his lifetime, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’ reputation as a recording artist was outshone by his standing as a charismatic live performer. His biggest song, the controversial, censored I Put A Spell On You, sold well enough but mysteriously never figured on any charts after its release ..read more

Iconic female vocalists dominate the formative influences on the UK R&B powerhouse singer We’ve long been fans of sensational R&B vocalist Laura B, with her last album Just A Little Love among our favourite albums of 2021. Inspired by iconic female performers including Ruth Brown, Big Maybelle, LaVern Baker and the estimable Etta James, Laura has thrilled crowds at major events over the years including the Breda Jazz Festival in Holland, the Moondogs and Swing Of The Beach events in Italy, as well as homegrown mainstays such as the Rhythm Riot and Hemsby. Laura’s also been a regular wi ..read more

In our series looking at rock’n’roll artists who just missed out on the big time, we remember the underrated talents of Wee Willie Harris, one of the British scene’s earliest stars. By Jack Watkins Who was the greatest early British rock’n’roller? It’s a question guaranteed to divide opinion. Billy Fury’s stock is very high these days, but Terry Dene seems forgotten. Tommy Steele and Cliff Richard made historically significant recordings, while Marty Wilde, with his great range, remains a live performance marvel to this day. It wasn’t Lonnie Donegan, whatever the revisionists claim. He was the ..read more

Vintage Rock Presents Elvis: The Later Years – now on sale! In this new issue, we shine a spotlight on the later years of Elvis Presley’s life. The ’70s would turn out to be a decade of personal troubles for Elvis Presley, from dangerous addictions and self-doubt to half-cocked studio sessions and deep depression. But beyond the mire, a period of creativity opened new experimental avenues and offered up a run of triumphant live shows – from his famed return with the 1968 “Comeback Special”, through his landmark Aloha from Hawaii broadcast, to his fi ..read more

We take a look at the rockin’ roots of the original Bond score composer, John Barry… By Julie Burns Before all those box-office gold Bond soundtracks – plus the subsequent roll call of killer film compositions – John Barry was the have-a-go hero of pre-Beatles British rock’n’roll. Yet his contribution remains largely overlooked. From 1957, as founding member of The John Barry Seven, the shy Northerner was in the vanguard of young musicians, creating their own homegrown version of the dynamic new music that was sweeping in from the States. Barry’s original prowess as a performer, producer, arra ..read more

Over the past 20-plus years, Foot Tapping Records has brought us Imelda May and grown into the UK’s biggest rockabilly label. Rik Flynn meets founder and boss Clive Duffin plus label mainstay, talent scout and ‘honorary advisor’ Darrel Higham… Foot Tapping Records celebrated its 100th release after just a decade in business. Before the end of the second, the stable can now proclaim itself ‘the UK’s largest rockabilly record label’. Now there’s something. Back at its inception in 2002, for those outside of the rockin’ contingent at any rate, it might well have seemed a foolhardy undertaking. Pa ..read more