Indianapolis and the Road to Rock ‘n’ Roll

Free for all to attend | Registration recommended to reserve your spot | Doors open at 6 p.m.

Join us for an evening exploring the story of how Black Indianapolis businesspeople and musicians in the 1930s and 1940s began a cultural movement that changed the world: rock ‘n’ roll. Author Preston Lauterbach, whose works have won book of the year recognitions from Wall Street Journal, NPR, and Rolling Stone,  follows the journeys of Indiana Avenue businessman Denver D. Ferguson and musical renaissance man Sax Kari, tracing the many crucial evolutions that began on the Avenue and eventually became the world’s most popular music. Following the discussion, guests can have their own copies of Preston’s works, including his latest Before Elvis: The African American Musicians Who Made the King, signed.   

Copies of Preston’s books will be available to purchase through the Basile History Market on the evening of the program. Advanced copies can be purchased by calling the Basile History Market at  317.234.0020. 

Preston Lauterbach is the author of seven books, including the American music classic The Chitlin’ Circuit (2011) and the history of the main street of Black America, Beale Street Dynasty (2015). His latest, Before Elvis: The African American Musicians Who Made the King released in January of 2025. Preston has co-authored three memoirs with significant figures in Black music, including Brother Robert (2020) with the stepsister of bluesman Robert Johnson, Timekeeper (2021) with Memphis soul drummer Howard Grimes, and the Blind Boys of Alabama biography Spirit of the Century (2024). His works have earned book of the year recognition from the Wall Street Journal, NPR, and Rolling Stone.

Presented by Indiana Historical Society and the Indiana Music History Project, thanks to the IU Committee on Historic Preservation and the Cornelius O’Brien Lecture Series.