'Rock in the late '60's was still a spontaneous combustion. Nobody thought in terms of long-term strategies; hanging on once the thrill had worn off would have been inconceivable. If anyone had suggested to me then that the Stones or the Who might still be wearily treading the boards in their fifties, I'd have called for the men in white jackets.'Awopbopaloobop Alopbamboom was the first book to celebrate the language of rock 'n' roll. It was a cogent yet unruly history of the era, from Bill Haley to Jimi Hendrix. And while telling outrageous tales, vividly describing the music and cutting through the hype, Nik Cohn unknowingly engendered a new form: rock criticism. A classic and crucial history of pop.'The first best book on rock 'n' roll and still the best first book to read.' Greil Marcus.