As for Donegan, there's no denying his historical importance, but don't his records sound a bit forced and false if you listen to them today ?

Not in my book, but it's all personal taste. Why compare his early stuff with the sounds of today when their impact was in the 50s? He influenced a whole generation of youngsters to get a guitar and make music for themselves - and did so by his own obvious enthusiasm and enjoyment of the music.

Have a read of Pete Frame's "The Restless Generation" to put it all into context.