GEORGE ROCK

George Rock was the backbone of one of the most popular bands of the 1940s and '50s. But while he was justly proud of his accomplishments, he was too modest a man to claim his rightful place in the history of popular music. As lead trumpet for Spike Jones & His City Slickers, he largely determined the sound of the zany band and contributed a great deal to their success. Rock attended Wesleyan College on a football scholarship before trading in his helmet for a horn. He turned professional at 20 and worked with a number of small groups in the Midwest before becoming a member ...