ED-LINE NEWS
Reports from the frontlines of rock ‘n’ roll history

November 1, 2005

Rock-ED’s mission is education. By preserving the stories of the pioneers of rock ‘n’ roll, we preserve an important chapter of American history. By presenting the stories in an entertaining way, we offer students new perspectives on the legacy of American music. We honor the lives and careers of those who created the music by adhering to strict standards of quality and accuracy in our storytelling.

For each interview we conduct, our curriculum developers create educational materials that meet national standards.  The educational materials are available on our Web site – free of charge - for teachers to use in the classroom.

Even though we’re a new company, still unpacking our CD collections, hanging our James Brown posters and hooking up our surround sound speakers, we have wasted no time in getting out and stirring up trouble where it counts – on the frontlines of rock ‘n’ roll history. Here’s a short primer on some of the pioneers we’ve interviewed so far – those brave enough to submit to the gauntlet of Rock-ED musicologists:
 
As a founding member of the Drifters, Bill Pinkney sang his way into rock ‘n’ roll history with classic recordings like “Money Honey”, “White Christmas” and “Honey Love”, - in essence recording rock ‘n’ roll music before it had a name. His pioneering work with the Drifters helped “bring down the fences” between rhythm and blues and rock ‘n’ roll and blazed a trail for future generations. 52 years after “Money Honey” Bill sat down with Rock-ED to share his stories of the early days of rock ‘n’ roll and reflect on six decades as an Original Drifter.
 
Pastor Wayne Cochran took us on a musical journey that began in Thomaston, GA in the late 1950’s with the teen tragedy classic “Last Kiss”. His success as a bandleader and songwriter led him to Chess Records, and later, to superstardom in Las Vegas. From his friendships with James Brown and Otis Redding, to his influence on Elvis Presley and the Blues Brothers, we take a look back at one of the most influential blue-eyed soul careers in rock ‘n’ roll history.
 
A brilliant rock ‘n’ roll guitarist, hit songwriter and successful producer, Mike Pinera rose to the top of the music industry through his stellar work with groups like the Blues Image, Iron Butterfly, Black Oak Arkansas and Alice Cooper. Part musical wunderkind and part visionary, he was an early developer and advocate of the Talk Box, and one of the first rock musicians to see the potential of the rock music video format. Rock-ED caught up with the busy musician at home in Ft. Lauderdale.
 
As we began the research process for a proposed project on the career of seminal songwriter, producer and arranger Jesse Stone, the legendary Jerry Wexler and his wife Jean were kind enough to share some of their memories of him, and their thoughts on his profound impact on popular music.
 
All in all, I’d say we were off to a great start!
 
You won’t want to miss next month’s update – we will be announcing interviews with some of the most influential pioneers in rock ‘n’ roll history!
 
While you’re here, be sure to subscribe to ED-Lines, our free monthly newsletter for the latest news from the frontlines of rock ‘n’ roll history. Also check out our Podcasts page for exclusive interviews, great rock ‘n’ roll music and the real stories behind the legends.
 
Rock On!
 
Vince Welsh
Managing Director
vince@rock-ed.org