Rockin' Down the Highway: The Cars and People That Made Rock Roll

About this book

In the world of music a car is inspiration a symbol of freedom and style and often a way to hit the road and get to the gig. From Robert Johnsons Terraplane Blues to rapper Xzibits hit MTV show Pimp My Ride from pink Cadillacs and Lil Deuce Coupes and Roadrunners cars have been a constant theme in rock-n-roll. Perhaps its because references to cars in American song are so pervasive that no one has ever attempted the daunting task of exploring the connection . . . until now. In this beautifully produced volume best-selling music writer Paul Grushkin draws on renowned photographers lauded poster artists and top private archives to present a thematic illustrated examination of the remarkable 50-plus-year synergy between rock music and motoring from early R&B to surf to metal to punk to hip-hop. The result is astounding. Dozens of acclaimed photographers (including Steve Coonan Jim Marshall Henry Diltz Glen E. Friedman and Pamela Springsteen) illustrators (Stanley Mouse Ed Big Daddy Roth Darrell Mayabb and Coop among them) and poster artists (including Mark Arminski Stainboy and Kathleen Judge) have participated. Rockers like Elvis Presley Eric Clapton the Grateful Dead Bruce Springsteen Snoop Dogg and Billy F Gibbons are just a few of the hundreds of artists whose associations with automobiles are celebrated here. The book is replete with anecdotes and commentary from famous musicians as well as ordinary rock-n-rollers whove loved rock and cars equally with a passion.