The Story of America's First Integrated Rock-n-Roll Band

By John La Torre

Learn the history of America's very first professional, black and white band! Based in Philadelphia, the "Polkadots" turned later, the "Rhythm Rockets", was the very first professional, integrated band out there on the road showing America what brotherly love was all about.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Aug 1, 2017
• ISBN: 9781543935110

Book preview

traveled.

A historical account shared by John La Torre of Johnny La Torre & the Rhythm Rockets: America’s First Professional, Racially Integrated, Rock-N-Roll Band.

I would like to share my story of a great neighborhood in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and how we lived in harmony.

Our neighborhood, on Eighth and Kater Street, just half block from South Street, was diversified with many nationalities.

I am a first-generation American of Italian descent. But we came together, both Italian-American, and African-American without prejudice.

We worked hard daily, and we all just wanted to have a good time. Music always brought us together.

I knew a lot of people in the neighborhood because my family owned a poultry store called, Reliable Poultry.

Our truck read, Sam La Torre & Sons, Reliable Poultry. Our home and store were located in the same building. My family and I worked very hard in our poultry business.