From director Kenny VanCe

On April 8, 1955, I was let in on the biggest secret in the history of music. I was fifteen years old, sitting on the balcony of the glittering Brooklyn Paramount Theater, part of a mob of thousands of teenagers. In front of our very eyes appeared Alan Freed, the famous DJ whose voice I had only heard on the radio, introducing a lineup of musicians who would become my heroes for life: The Teenagers, with 13-year-old Frankie Lymon, started it all with the first music by kids for us kids.  Then came the parade of immortals: Bo Diddley, the Moonglows, the Penguins, Fats Domino and Buddy Holly. And then a girl group, the Chantels, stepped on stage and Arlene Smith blew the roof off with a voice that belied her teenage years. I sat there buzzing as if I were connected to the electric third rail of the Brooklyn Subway, thinking: What is this? 

Today, looking back on those formative days of Fifties Rock & Roll, I often feel like it was all a dream.  Although the truth I experienced, both on and off stage, lives within me, so much has slipped into the mists of time. Many have their perspectives, but I made this film to shine a light on the true stories of the young geniuses and their music that created the basis of so much of our music and culture, from rock to hip hop, and beyond. And to help restore them to their proper and deserving place.

It’s my hope that you’ll join me as they reclaim their rightful place, where their music lives on forever.

Bonus Scene

I shared a special moment with Charlie Thomas of The Drifters , honoring the spirits of the departed greats. The scene never made it to the movie but I’ll never forget that day on the balcony of the Brooklyn Paramount.