Album: Rock 'n' Roll

Introduction
"Rock 'n' Roll" is the 6th solo studio album by famous previous Beatles member John Lennon. Launched in 1975, the album was a collection of traditional rock and roll songs that Lennon liked throughout his early years with the Beatles. This passion task included Lennon's performances of 13 tunes that were originally recorded in the late 1950s and early 1960s, by renowned artists such as Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, and Little Richard. The album was recorded during Lennon's "lost weekend" period, a turbulent time in his life marked by a brief separation from his better half Yoko Ono.

Background and Production
The idea for the Rock 'n' Roll album originated from Lennon's legal arguments with music publisher Morris Levy. In 1973, Lennon had actually released "Come Together", a song with a chorus that carefully resembled Chuck Berry's "You Can't Catch Me". Levy, who owned the publishing rights to Berry's song, threatened a lawsuit. Ultimately, the matter was settled out of court, with Lennon agreeing to tape three songs owned by Levy's company as part of a future job.

The recording of the Rock 'n' Roll album happened over several months in 1973 and 1974 and saw Lennon working together with famous manufacturer Phil Spector. However, the sessions were disorderly, with Spector supposedly acting unpredictably and Lennon battling with alcohol addiction. After Spector's unexplained disappearance with the incomplete album's master tapes, Lennon got the assistance of engineers/producers Roy Cicala and John Tchicai to complete the project.

Tracklist and Style
The 13 tracks on Rock 'n' Roll showcased Lennon's vocal range and flexibility, in addition to his love for the raw emotion and energy present in the timeless rock-and-roll songs of his youth.

1. "Be-Bop-A-Lula" (originally by Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps).
2. "Stand by Me" (initially by Ben E. King).
3. "Medley: Rip It Up/Ready Teddy" (initially by Little Richard).
4. "You Can't Catch Me" (originally by Chuck Berry).
5. "Ain't That a Shame" (originally by Fats Domino).
6. "Do You Want to Dance?" (initially by Bobby Freeman).
7. "Sweet Little Sixteen" (initially by Chuck Berry).
8. "Slippin' and Slidin'" (originally by Little Richard).
9. "Peggy Sue" (initially by Buddy Holly).
10. "Medley: Bring It on Home to Me/Send Me Some Lovin'" (initially by Sam Cooke and Little Richard).
11. "Bony Moronie" (originally by Larry Williams).
12. "Ya Ya" (initially by Lee Dorsey).
13. "Just Because" (originally by Lloyd Price).

Lennon's design throughout the album was that of raw, energetic rock and roll with simply enough personal touch to make these classic tunes feel refreshed.

Reception and Legacy
The Rock 'n' Roll album got mixed evaluations upon its release, with critics praising Lennon's singing performances however revealing frustration in the total production. The album reached No. 6 on the United States Billboard 200 chart and No. 6 on the UK Albums Chart. "Stand by Me", the album's lead single, ended up being a hit for Lennon, reaching No. 20 on the United States Billboard Hot 100 and No. 30 in the UK.

In the years following its release, Rock 'n' Roll has actually been acknowledged as a crucial piece of John Lennon's discography, offering fans a window into Lennon's love for the music that formed him as an artist. Though the album might not be as extremely well-known as his other solo works, it stands as a testimony to Lennon's connection to the roots of rock and roll, which inspired him to become one of the most iconic artists in history.