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England emerged from the shadow of World War II only to be faced with a new threat.
American Rock and roll!
Post-war prosperity have provided British teenagers with a new sense of freedom
and a considerable passion for all things American.
So when this raucous, rebellious new music finally crossed the Atlantic,
the reception it received made even the recent coronation seem dour by comparison.
This was not just music, but the battle fight of a new generation.
As might be expected, the british music moguls tried to produce
their own rock n' roll standards.
As far as they were concerned, Rock and roll was just another dance craze,
like the cha-cha or the mambo.
Anybody could do it!
Some of these performers did become popular,
but if they ever displayed any real feeling for rock and roll,
it was eventually tamed by an industry intent upon turning everything
into wholesome family entertainment.
In the streets of London, however, and throughout England,
many kids turned to Skiffle, a do-it-yourself style
based on American Folk Music from the 20's and 30's.
Several hits by former jazzman Lonnie Donnegan kicked off a nationwide craze.
All over England, young boys formed Skiffle groups
and discovered for the first time that they could make their own music.