Billy Bragg book talk (Special Event)

Billy Bragg discusses and signs his book Roots, Radicals and Rockers: How Skiffle Changed the World

July 21, 2017, 7:00-9:00 p.m.

Mumford Room, 6th Floor, James Madison Building

Library of Congress

As part of the Benjamin Botkin Lecture Series at the Library of Congress, distinguished British folk-rocker Billy Bragg discusses and signs his new book about Skiffle, the music phenomenon in Britain concurrent with the late 1950s folk revival in the United States. Skiffle put guitars in the hands of many future rockers such as the Beatles and the Stones as well as many future folkies like Martin Carthy, John Renbourn and the Watersons. Skiffle drew heavily on American folk music, especially Lead Belly's; the biggest early Skiffle hit was Lonnie Donegan's version of Rock Island Line, which inspired most later versions, including Johnny Cash's. Alan Lomax and Peggy Seeger lived in London during the Skiffle era, and were among the muses of the movement. Bragg's book, Roots, Radicals and Rockers, is described by the Library as "a meticulously researched and joyous account ? of the tremendous influence of Skiffle. Free. In the Mumford Room of the Madison Bldg., Library of Congress, 1st & C Streets SE (Metro: Capitol South).