The Ponderosa Stomp celebrates the unsung heroes of rock 'n' roll; here's a guide to who's playing when it starts later this week.

This week, the Ponderosa Stomp returns with a lineup heavy on garage rock and sweet R&B.

The activity starts Thursday morning at the Riverfront Wyndham New Orleans with the Music History Conference. Thursday and Friday, it will feature oral histories and panel discussions with many of the performers this year, including Swamp Dogg, New Orleanians Charles Brimmer and Richard Caiton, and Chris ("Let's Dance") Montez, who'll be interviewed by The Flamin' Groovies' Cyril Jordan. The record show at the hotel starts Thursday morning as well.

Thursday night at d.b.a., The Hip Drop, presents record collectors from around the world doing DJ sets, spinning rare and cool singles.

Thursday night, the Stomp will also screen the documentary Muscle Shoals about the legendary recording studio at the Contemporary Arts Center.

The concerts take place Friday and Saturday nights at The Rock 'n' Bowl. The Sonics and Swamp Dogg will be part of Friday's show, and The Standells and Chris Montez will perform on Saturday. The Standells will be joined by Johnny Echols from Love, and the set will include some of Love's hits as well. 

Enjoy the Ponderosa Stomp while you can. The inevitable march of time says that organizers won't be able to continue to stage the show forever. Many artists who have played at previous Stomps have either passed on or felt the effects of time to such a degree that they can't perform anymore.

Tickets are on sale now.

This Week's Soundtrack

1. "Riot on Sunset Strip" - The Standells

2. "I'm a No Count" - Ty Wagner

3. "The Witch" - The Sonics

4. "Wanna New Life" - The Sloths

5. "Playin' Hide Go Seek" - Eddie Daniels

6. "Some Kinda Fun" - Chris Montez

7. "That's How Heartaches are Made" - Baby Washington

8. "Oh No Not My Baby" - Chuck Jackson and Maxine Brown

9. "I'm Gonna Love You More" - - Richard Caiton

10. "Your Man's Gonna Be in Trouble" - Charles Brimmer

11. Love's Gone Bad" - Chris Clark

12. "Total Destruction of Your Mind" - Swamp Dogg

13. Who's Been Warming My Oven" - Spencer Wiggins

14. "Wildwood Boogie" - Charlie Gracie and The Wildcats