MILLBROOK — Celebrating and preserving the hard-driving rhythmic roots of rock and roll, The Lustre Kings rocked the stacks at The Millbrook Library on Saturday, March 29, as part of the Winter Concert Series, sponsored by the library and the Millbrook Arts Group.
Tracing the evolution of music and performers from the mid-1950s with Sun Records in Memphis and how those hits influenced the music of the Beatles in the early 1960s, lead singer and guitarist Mark Gamsjager and the Lustre Kings quartet allowed the audience to embrace memories of their youthful pop music cultural roots. Toes tapped and heads bobbed
“Where did rock and roll come from, anyway,” was the question posed and answered by Gamsjager.
Elvis recorded “That’s All Right,” at Sun Records in Memphis in 1954, having paid the $2.50 fee for the recording session, Gamsjager said, progressing through a deep repertoire of hit favorites of the era including “Blue Suede Shoes,” and “Blue Moon of Kentucky,” originally a waltz, but “rocked up” by Presley.
“The Lustre Kings evolved to keep the music of the era alive,” Gamsjager said. “It’s the music I can relate to.”
The audience related to it also, calling for a double encore.
For more information on The Lustre Kings go to www.lustrekings.com.
Justine and Victor Valla in their studio with a painting of Victor’s,”Jonah and the Whale.” Robin Roraback 
