A Brief History of Rock n’ Roll

Rock Around the ClockBill Haley and His Comets

First, the term “Rock n Roll”

• 1922 – used as a reference for ____• Begun by DJ Alan Freed, during his

show “Moondog Rock n’ Roll Party” • Payola

Origins of Music

• Combination of Several Diff. Genres– Jazz– Doo Wop / Boogie Woogie– Blues– Gospel– R & B– Folk

Whole Lotta Shakin’

Sam Phillips

• Famous Memphis DJ• Concerned black artists

would never be able to break through “white mainstream”

• Founded SUN RECORDS 1950

• Began looking for white acts who “could play and sing in the same exciting, alive way.”

Only You – The Platters or The Hilltoppers

Elvis Presley

• First record 1954• Began as country

singer• 1956 had #1 songs

in 3 categories• Had several hit

songs in 1957 on self title album

• Drafted in 1958• More on him later

Just for Fun

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Goal of small record labels• Find artists “so talented and unique—

or so outrageous—that their styles could not be easily imitated by other artists on the major labels.”

• Who are 3 artists that fall into this category?

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Answer

• “Little Richard” Penniman• Jerry Lee Lewis• Chuck Berry

Little Richard

• Found when searching for a new Ray Charles

• Tutti Fruti

Jerry Lee Lewis

• Crazy antics on stage gave him recognition

• Songs directly targeted youth with titles like “Wild One” and “High School Confidential”

Chuck Berry• One of most

influential musicians of all time.

• “Duck Walk”• Began as strictly R

& B until his guitar skills grew, then Rock n Roll Icon.

• Black AND White kids loved his music

Just for Fun

The Day the Music Died

• Feb. 3rd, 1959

• Buddy Holly• Big Bopper

Richardson• Ritchie

Valens (La Bamba)