Rock stars on the radio – in pictures

Discovered by musician Chris Kennedy, the photographs Tommy Edwards took at the dawn of rock and roll hadn't been seen since the DJ's death in 1981. This book presents these rare and wonderful documents – which will be exhibited at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in January – to the public for the first time Photograph: Rock 'n' Roll in the 50s, LLC

Bill Haley and Elvis Presley. October 20, 1955. A simple handshake between friends and an instantly iconic image Photograph: Rock 'n' Roll in the 50s, LLC

March 14, 1957. A 21-year-old Roy Orbison backstage at a "Rock A Billy Spectacular" to support his third release on Sun Records: Sweet and Easy to Love b/w Devil Doll Photograph: Rock 'n' Roll in the 50s, LLC

May 1958. Cabaret singer, actress, dancer, recording artist Arlene Fontana, 23 Photograph: Rock 'n' Roll in the 50s, LLC

Jiles Perry Richardson, better known as the Big Bopper, August 1958. The singer mugs as his single Chantilly Lace storms up the charts. He'd be dead at 28 the following February, killed in the same plane crash that ended the lives of Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens Photograph: Rock 'n' Roll in the 50s, LLC

Chuck Berry, August 1955. A 23-year-old former hairdresser plays his ferocious new record, Maybellene Photograph: Rock 'n' Roll in the 50s, LLC

Dale Hawkins, June 1957. The 21-year-old singer, clearly enjoying the success of his hit single, Suzie-Q Photograph: Rock 'n' Roll in the 50s, LLC

October 1956. Twenty-three-year old Doris Day fields questions from an interviewer on the press junket for her new MGM thriller, Julie Photograph: Rock 'n' Roll in the 50s, LLC

January 1958. With Elvis about to begin a two-year exile in the US Army, Eddie Cochran was poised to take the king's throne with his new single – Jeanie, Jeanie, Jeanie – which boasts one of the fiercest guitar riffs. Tragically, he would be killed in a taxi accident in April of 1960 Photograph: Rock 'n' Roll in the 50s, LLC

Elvis Presley, 20, signing autographs backstage at St Michael's Hall in October of 1955 Photograph: Rock 'n' Roll in the 50s, LLC

March 1957. Gene Vincent grins backstage at Music Hall, where he was playing in support of his new album, Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps Photograph: Rock 'n' Roll in the 50s, LLC

Henry Fonda bides his time as a broadcaster reads off of a United Artists cue sheet trumpeting accolades for his new movie, Twelve Angry Men. April 1957 Photograph: Rock 'n' Roll in the 50s, LLC

April 1958. Rock and roll gangster Link Wray is ready to Rumble Photograph: Rock 'n' Roll in the 50s, LLC

January 1959. Malcolm Dodds has perhaps best been described as the missing link between Sam Cooke's gospel pop fusion and Marvin Gaye's soulful '60s sophistication Photograph: Rock 'n' Roll in the 50s, LLC

April 1956. Singer and actress Miyoshi Umeki, 27, sings Irving Berlin's How Deep is the Ocean. April 1956 Photograph: Rock 'n' Roll in the 50s, LLC

May 1956. Rhythm and blues singer Nellie Lutcher, resplendent in fur Photograph: Rock 'n' Roll in the 50s, LLC

Scott Engel autographs his single Charley Bop in August 1958. Engle would reinvent himself as Scott Walker in the new decade and launch a blue-eyed soul attack on London in 1965 Photograph: Rock 'n' Roll in the 50s, LLC

The Casuals, Richard Williams (left) and James E Cason were both just 17 in December of 1957, promoting Hello Love Photograph: Rock 'n' Roll in the 50s, LLC