Thursday, April 1, 10:00 am
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
FREE EVENT
Steve Bergsman and Brian Rosner are back with a new show called THE ‘60s BEFORE THE BEATLES. The years of 1960 through 1963 are often considered a slack time in the history of rock ‘n’ roll as the original wild pioneers of the new sound such as Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Elvis all left the stage temporarily due to such circumstances as religion, scandal or getting drafted. One pioneer, Buddy Holly, left the scene forever due to a plane crash. And replacing the greats were more tepid performers such as Frankie Avalon, Bobby Vinton, and Bobby Rydell. Which is why the Beatles were so successful, so quickly. They were more exciting, more innovative, and represented a new sound and look. On closer scrutiny, however, this was actually a very fertile time in the history of American pop music with such important trends as: the launching of soul labels such as Motown and Stax; the excellence of Brill Building music; the Girl Group era; first rock ‘n’ roll period of dance music such as The Twist; Bob Dylan and the folk music revival; heyday of Italian doo-wop, and the beginning of the California Sound. So, step back in time and let’s Loco-Motion to the tunes of the early 1960s.
Getting Here
Instructors
Steve Bergsman
Steve Bergsman and Brian Rosner created the successful audio-visual show, THE FABULOUS FEMALES OF THE FIFTIES, which appeared last year at Arizona MusicFest and many other venues around the Phoenix area. Steve Bergsman Backgrounder.
By 2026, Steve Bergsman will have published 20 books, 12 of which are music biographies and histories. In 2026, he was nominated for BEST AUDIOBOOK GRAMMY for the memoir ELVIS, ROCKY & ME: THE CAROL CONNORS STORY; the Library of Congress asked him to contribute essays for songs it elected to preserve for the National Registry; and he was nominated by his publisher for MAAH Stone Book Award.
Bergsman’s music books:
Have Mercy Baby: The Life of Clyde McPhatter (2026)
Shout: The Story of the Isley Brothers (co-write with Ronald Isley, (2026)
Elvis, Rocky & Me: The Life of Carol Connors (co-write with Carol Connors)
What A Difference A Day Makes: Women Who Conquered 1950s Music All I Want Is Loving You: Popular Female Singers of the 1950s
The Wanderers: Killer Teens, Rebel Teens, Gang Teens and the Evolution of the Last Great Greaser Feature
Earth Angels: The Short Lives and Controversial Deaths of Three R&B Pioneers
Chapel of Love: The Story of New Orleans Girl Group the Dixie Cups
I Put A Spell on You: The Bizarre Life of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins
The R&B Set: The Death of Johnny Ace, The Seduction of Mary Wells, and The Friends of Billy Preston
Brian Rosner
Brian Rosner has enjoyed a distinguished 45-year career in television production, with notable contributions to major programs and events. His expertise in videotape editing has been instrumental in the success of acclaimed shows such as Guiding Light and General Hospital, where his work behind the scenes played a key role in delivering high-quality content. Brian also contributed to The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, refining the technical elements of the show with his editing skills. Brian’s dedication to the craft earned him two EMMY AWARDS, a testament to his technical skill and creativity. Additionally, as an Associate Director with the Director’s Guild of America, Brian demonstrated strong leadership in coordinating production efforts across multiple platforms.