The Music Of Rock And Roll

The 1960’s were arguably the most influential years in American music’s history. The music helped connect people of all races, whom enjoyed visiting jazz-clubs in the early to mid-60s, to listen to the music and poetry performed by African-Americans. Much of the music from the 1960s also led to the creation and popularization of new genres and subgenres, such as rock-and-roll. These new music styles influenced the lifestyles of a large majority of Americans, particularly teenagers and young-adults, who mimicked the lifestyles of many stars of the time.

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.

Rock ‘n’ roll music has widely influenced music and society and continues to do so today. Rock ‘n’ roll emerged in the 1950’s a time where whites and blacks were heavily segregated. Rock and roll music not only changed the nation’s current musical norms, but indicated the joy of the emerging youth culture of the generation. It influenced artists whether black or white to come into the mainstream music. Famous artists still remembered today also influenced rock and roll. Those pioneers helped change the musical norms and the overall history of music. White rock ‘n’ rollers helped build a ladder for black artists to come into the scene. It was certain that rock ‘n’ roll made it possible for greater acceptance, appreciation and a wider

In the book Flowers in the Dustbin: The Rise of Rock and Roll, 1947-1977, author James Miller summarizes and discusses critical moments in the movement of rock and roll. He uses his own personal experiences with the music along with historical facts and events to explain the cause and impact of rock and roll culture. The book is chronologically ordered, organizing the movement into 45 chapters and clearly showing how rock and roll artists influenced each other throughout the time period. James Miller describes his book as “a look back, a chronicle of some critical moments in the advent of rock and roll when, for better or for worse, the course of events changed- and a new form of popular culture appeared.” The book tackles two

“The rise of rock ‘n’ roll and the reception of it, in fact, can tell us a lot about the culture and values of the United States in the 1950s. According to historians James Gilbert, there was a struggle throughout the decade ‘over the uses of popular culture to determine who would speak to what audience, and for what purpose”. At the center of that struggle, rock ‘n’ roll unsettled a nation had been “living in an ‘age of anxiety’” since 1945” (p.15). Altschuler talks about how music and race interlock with one another. Rock had become a “highly visible and contested arena for struggles over racial identity and cultural and economic empowerment in the United States” (p.35). Other chapters within the book state the battles involving sexuality, generational conflicts, as well as other social issues. The author states ideas that are somewhat problematic. For example, he states that there is a myth that rock ‘n’ roll went into a “lull” following the payola hearings (the practice of record promoters paying DJs or radio programmers to play their labels ' songs) of 1959 and did not come about again until the arrival of the Beatles in 1964.

This class will detail the effects of rock ‘n’ roll on the American society during the 1960s and how it shattered the 1950s “Good Ole Days” stereotype. This class will also address adolescents of the 1950s, how they set the stage for rock ‘n’ roll to make its appearance, and what made the people of the

In the 1960’s, rock and roll became an active voice of America’s anti war movement. Rock and roll changed dancing, and instead of only fancy dances, where you had to look and act your best, this music offered a fun way to dance and have fun with your friends. The twist was one of the most popular dances, and it was one that most everyone used. Also, the crazy rock and roll artists had crazy clothes that affected the way people dressed in some cases. Although, some songs impacted societies in the wrong way, especially the songs that encouraged sex, violence, drugs, and drinking. But, not all songs were like that, and instead offered new hopes in times of danger, including WWII. Those are some ways how early rock and roll has affected our

Although the decades have passed, and the times have changed rock ‘n’ roll holds a legacy that will forever impact the lives of people as a whole. Foundations Of Rock n’ Roll After World War 2, the world was faced with a bipolar world of the two winners: the USSR and the US (Scaruffi, 2005). The world was left with international bitterness and resentment and unlike other wars, a war on ideology. The war changed almost every aspect of life, because ideologies and morals began to shift and change. The post-War era had brought along with it many new technologies such as the boom of cars, computers and even

The begins of rock and roll have always been challenged as to when they were first established. The most common argument is that is first started in Southern United states, the birth place of many of the first early rock and roll music hits. As the south always had a huge majority of slaves from Africa and immigrants from Europe, through the gathering of different influences that created a connection between African musical traditions with European instrumentation. Immigration of once slaves to populated urban centers including New York City and Chicago meant that both the black and white communities were living in close proximity, resulting in hearing each other's music and even ‘began to follow and impersonate each other's fashions’.

Older generations complain today that music these days just does not compare to music of the past, that the music we listen to today has no class and makes us rebellious. Ironically enough, they were told the exact same thing themselves when they were young, along with the generation before them. Rock N’ Roll changed the fabric of society for nearly a century, having evolved from music that was already controversial in itself. As a result, a generation of youth that was either considered rebellious or showed signs of delinquency or rebellion by riots formed. The entire world slowly began to feel the impact of Rock N’ Roll, each nation having their traditions and morals slowly evolving as a result of the music. Rock N’ Roll drastically changed society everywhere because the youth at the time all began to question authority, parents and adults all became conflicted on how the music would change them and racial integration became more commonly accepted as a result of the music. Of course, music of any kind has the greatest impact on the youngest of any generation.

Rock ‘n’ Roll, this genre was born in the Mississippi River Valley and moved up and down its course, including its tributaries (the Cumberland, Tennessee, Illinois, and Missouri rivers), and along the highways and railroads which paralleled those rivers. This genre of music produced during the recovery of the second World War, Rock ‘n’ roll gave rise to one of the greatest impacts on past American generations, and continues to go forward into my own generation today. James Henke acknowledges that “various cities played large roles in the history of Rock ‘n’ roll: Memphis in the 1950s, Detroit during the Motown era, London and Liverpool during the British Invasion, San Francisco during the psychedelic era, New York and London during the punk period, and Seattle during the grunge era.” Without rock music, pop and other genres would not as successful and popular as they are now. While older generations have a tendency to despise rock music, Elvis Presley exemplified his generation, and rock music generated an enormous impact on society, and unified the American society.

Rock most notably served as a major part of American youth counterculture in the 1960’s. Rejection of mainstream culture was embodied in genres of psychedelic rockers like Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, The Grateful Dead, The Doors, and more. These rock musicians inspired a more rebellious youth culture willing to push societal norms. One consequence of this emerging counterculture led by rock was the growing acceptance among teenagers of drug use and pre-marital sex. Rock’s lasting influence is further proven through its inspiration on fashion, dances, and other trends. Rock also served as a vehicle to end racism and segregation. Rock originally came from African-American culture and was seen as “black music” that was increasingly accepted by white audiences and white performers. Rock began emerging in an era of high racial tensions within the United States. Many believe this fusion of black music with white supporters assisted the process of desegregation and helped build an atmosphere of greater racial tolerance in the United States. By significantly impacting youth culture, trends, and desegregation, rock left an influence that will ensure its survival in American

[4] Rebellion in music was also a major effort in music during the 1960’s. Not only were women stepping into the foreground of folk music, but also rock and roll officially took hold in the hearts of Americans. Those individuals of the Rock and Roll world like Morrison, Hendrix, and Joplin all sought to gain the acceptance of their fans and the country. Maybe their messages got across, maybe they didn’t, but, regardless, they captivated the nation with their astounding successes and tragic deaths. The people of

From beginning to never ending music has been an impact on people since it ever started. People have used music in many ways to get to where it is know, for they have converted music like jazz to blues to Rock & Roll. Not that simple in a way but that is taste Rock & Roll was used for multiple reasons with a purpose. It signify as a art for people that they used in many ways it was a drug that someone got on but could not get off once taken. It is a great art never dying only rising with an insufficient amount of possibilities.

If someone mentions guitar solo to you, what comes to mind? A musical god commanding a stage? A puffy haired, spandex clad dude making silly faces? Do you see a duck walk? A burning guitar?