Essay on Buddy Holly: Charles Hardin Holley

Rock and Roll was the start of a new revolution in America. It introduced the world to many of the famous artists that continue to be a part of our lives today. "Artists who became popular in the 1950s such as Elvis, began to pave the way for others such as Jerry Lee Lewis and Buddy Holly" (The History of Rock 'n' Roll until 1960). With the introduction of rock 'n' roll, there came many new changes to the lives of many Americans. Rock and Roll was a major contributor for the change in teens' behavior in the 1950s because it encouraged new freedoms for teenagers, encouraged new fads among teenagers, and caused a generation gap.

What can be said for the music artist Elvis Presley, other than he is most undoubtedly the reason that Rock and Roll survived past its start, and grew to the massive popularity that it still grasps onto to this day. Although he may have been born a simple white southerner, he masterfully intertwined country music with the raw emotion of gospel and blues in order to create his own breed of unmatchable music. By him taking two vastly different genres of music from two equally different cultures, he successfully managed to blur the prominent color line that divided all of America up until the 1950s. He did all of this while enthralling the youth of America and singlehandedly caused an idea of teenage rebellion that lasted far past his popularity,

Holly had a unique singing style which featured stretched syllables and high energy. He broke the typical rock practice by singing ballads with a “feeling of nervous excitement,” said Arnold Shaw in The Rockin’ 50s. Buddy took a ballad of woeful words and

Excessive hype from Dylan’s presence in politics inspired him to move his music in a different direction. In 1964 and 1965, Dylan’s musical style and appearance changed quite rapidly as he transitioned from a modern song writer of the folk scene to a rock music star. Dylan made his breakthrough to the pop music audience in the summer of 1965, when Like a Rolling Stone hit number two on the charts. Unexpectedly, Dylan became the topic of multitudes of articles, and his song lyrics became the subject of literary analyses across the

“Peggy Sue” continues that familiar vibe of “That’ll be the Day” with it’s lyrics about a woman who isn’t exactly in Buddy Holly’s life. Though unlike “That’ll be the Day”, there isn’t as strong of a bond between the two people in “Peggy Sue”. Their growing success at the time led them to more opportunities with television and they began to go on full blown tours. The band never really changed in how they presented themselves. Usually dressed sharply in matching suits with their hair combed back neat.

Billie was born to the name, Eleanora Fagan on April 7, 1915. She was born in Philadelphia but grew up in the Fell's Point section of Baltimore. Her mother, was just 13 at the time of her birth; her father, was 15. Holidays' teenage parents, Sadie Harris (aka Fagan) and probable father, Clarence Holiday, never married, and they did not live together for a long time. Clarence, a banjo and guitar player worked with Fletcher Henderson's band in the early 30s. He remains a shady figure who left his family. Clarence would often be away from home, and during the stay with Henderson, which lasted until 1932, the guitarist severed connections with the Fagans. Billie was an angry chile who lived a hard life. She was raped at the age of 10 soon

Many people admire Sammy Davis Jr for his ability to sing, dance, and act. For example, Sammy Davis Jr miraculously “began the 1960’s as a certified superstar of stage and screen”(“Davis, Sammy Jr 1925-1990”).

Bob Dylan still tours to this day for his spectacular songs he has written. Many modern singers still look up to Bob Dylan today. As a result, he may be the best songwriter of the 1900’s. On the other hand, he may not be a good singer. In conclusion, Bob Dylan is an amazing lyricist at the current age of 74, but may not might have the best voice. All in all, he is a great

The Chairman of the Board, as Sinatra was commonly known, decided to start his solo career in 1942, after a brief period singing with Harry James and the Tommy Dorsey Band. Many well-known singers preceded him, such as Billy Holiday and Bing Crosby. None of these performers, however great, led completely self-sufficient careers of their own. Gardner attests that “Sinatra’s success cemented the notion of the interpretive singer as an autonomous musician – in service to the song but also owning it, at least for the duration of the performance”. Given the type of personality he possessed, this was not surprising. Frank had the “street-smarts”, the intelligence, drive, and talent to sustain a solo career.

success as the King of Rock and Roll. While it is true that Elvis was not the inventor of rock and

Billie Holiday, whose real name is Eleanora Gough, was born in Philadelphia Pennsylvania in 1915. She grew up mostly in Baltimore and always loved jazz. Billie was born to very young parents. Her mother was thirteen when she was born and her father just fifteen. (www.numberonestars.com, 2010)

Frank Sinatra was born in Hoboken, New Jersey and had his first experience of music when his uncle gave him a ukulele (Frank Sinatra Biography). The Rolling Stone stated that he was majorly influenced by Bing Crosby, a crooner; Tommy Dorsey, a trombonist and blues singer Billie Holiday. They also said Frank Sinatra started off and became known in a group called the “Hoboken Four” as they won the “Major Bowes Original Amateur Hour”. They toured and performed together, but eventually the group broke up. Later, Frank was signed by Harry James allowing him to sing with an orchestra gaining Frank major popularity.

Many artists created a new form of music through the influence of the black artists. The first signs of this influence appeared in the music of Elvis Presley and Buddy Holly. It carried on to artists like Bob Dylan, The Beatles, and various other musicians.4 A new form of music emerged, rock and roll. This new style of music was fueled by emotion. One of the first stages in the development of rock and roll was sacrificing musical complexity for the sake of capturing an audience. The jazz and blues songs that were popular before rock and roll emerged, consisted of several chords and elaborate rhythms, while rock and roll songs are comprised of only three or four chords and very simple rhythms.5 More direct expressions of emotions were used, and lyrics of personal and political significance were brought into the mix. The relationship between artists and their audiences changed. Fans related to the musicians’ opinions rather than simply the style of the music. As a result of the bold lyrics, a general respect for musicians

In the winter of 1957, Chuck Berry—an eccentric, African American rock ‘n’ roller from St. Louis—recorded one of his most popular and influential songs: “Johnny B. Goode” (Taylor 27). During a time when Jim Crow laws still had a place in American life and active racism towards African Americans and minorities was commonplace, Chuck Berry’s hit “Johnny B. Goode” became popular amongst a white audience, and it reached the number eight position on the Billboard List in 1958 (Cooper 301). The rollicking song told a rags-to-riches story of a country boy named Johnny B. Goode who could play the guitar “just like a-ringin’ a bell” (Starr and Waterman 259). The character Johnny B. Goode was not a one-song wonder—his tale was continued in two additional Berry hits: “Bye Bye Johnny” (1960) and “Go Go Go” (1961) (Taylor 28-29). The saga of “Johnny B. Goode” was greatly shaped by the times during which it was popularized in, and it influenced the times as well. The timeless hit was successful and influential for various reasons: the emergence and popularity of rock ‘n’ roll in the 1950s, the catchy lyrics and instrumentation used in the song, the genius of Chuck Berry himself, and racial tensions in the United States and the way they impacted, and were impacted by, music. In order to understand the significance and impact of the song, all of these factors must be explored.

So much has been written about Bob Dylan, celebrated American Songwriter and Artist. The prolifically awarded artist is famous for the meaning behind his most famous songs. Within them can be found the captured attitudes of the non-consumerism culture of the 60’s from the skills he learned in tutelage to the Okie Cowboy himself that innovated on simple folk song itself.