'Sh-Boom! The Explosion of Rock n' Roll (1953-1968)'
Sh-Boom! The Explosion of Rock n' Roll (1953-1968)
The Golden Age of Television spanned a few short years beginning in the 1950's. The King of Rock n' Roll in New York City was a man by the name of Clay Cole. Clay hosted his own Saturday night music show from 1959 until 1968, first on WNTA-Ch.13 and later on WPIX-Ch.11.
'Sh-Boom! The Explosion of Rock n' Roll (1953-1968)', published by Morgan James, is Clay Coles new collection of memoirs. With it, take a trip down memory lane with a true pioneer in early rock n' Roll and live television, Clay Cole.
At age 15, Clay Cole produced and hosted his own Saturday night teenage music program in Youngstown, Ohio. A few years later, he made the big move to Manhattan. Clay first worked at NBC in various jobs before landing his own 'Clay Cole Show' at age 21.
Among the many artists Clay Cole presented over the years were Chubby Checker, Rolling Stones, Dion and the Belmonts, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Four Seasons, Rascals, Ronettes, and hundreds more. Clay Cole pre-dated MTV by showing music video clips. In addition, many comics were spotlighted to a teenage audience including George Carlin, Richard Pryor, Fannie Flagg, and the late Soupy Sales.
Clay Cole was the only person in America to have both the Rolling Stones (live) and The Beatles (via experimental satellite feed from Chicago) on the same program! Cole also refused to kow tow to a racist boss at WPIX who 'suggested' he book more Caucasian acts. Clay is proud to have devoted a full hour to black artists on his 'Salute To Motown' program. What set Clay Cole apart from his many competitors in other American cities was the multi-dimension aspect to his show. Dancing, music, video, and comedy, all came together along with a fully integrated live studio audience. Tragically, none of his television shows were saved as the 2" tape used to record them were erased by the short sighted staff at WPIX.
In 1968, Clay Cole walked away from his long run at the top, growing unhappy with Pop music shifting to Psychedelic Acid Rock and Heavy Metal. Clay headed west to Los Angeles where he became a TV writer and producer involved in the production of over 3500 television shows!
Clay Cole will be one of the featured guests and signing copies of his new book at the upcoming BeatExpo 2009 in Stamford, Connecticut on November 28 and 29 to be held at the Downtown Holiday Inn... The true 'missing link' to the early days of rock n' Roll.....
"Clay Cole. Saturday Night. Rock n' Roll. New York City. Glued to the tube. I should know; I was there."
- Dion DiMucci
Also see Clay Cole's Web site.
Purchase this book on amazon.com while supporting WNTI by using this link:
Sh-Boom!: The Explosion of Rock 'n' Roll (1953-1968)
Sh-Boom! The Explosion of Rock n' Roll (1953-1968)
By Clay Cole
Morgan James
