early rock n roll music and culture in the 1950s
TRANSCRIPT
FROM 1930S-1950S
Blues music evolved over time, meshing
with Jazz musicNew upbeat Blues/Jazz styles emerged such
as “Boogie Woogie” and “Rhythm and Blues”Racial tensions were at an all time high in
the US due to Segregation laws and lack of Civil Rights
Listen to Boogie Woogie!!!
THE ROAD TO ROCK N ROLL Early Rock n Roll started in the 1950sAmerica was very conservative, living in a post WORLD WAR II society.Music on the radio was clean-cut and geared towards White adults. Music created by black musicians was hidden or underground because of Segregation. (Think about the movie “Hairspray”)
WHAT CONSERVATIVE AMERICA LOOKED LIKE
1950s PSA: DINNER
1950s PSA: Popular
ABOUT THE MUSICLyrics in “black” and “white” music talked about the same subjects:
• School• Cars• Dancing• Teenagers• Love
Teenagers didn’t care about the “color” of music, they just wanted to dance.
THE BIRTH OF ROCK N ROLL
In 1954 Alan Freed was the first WHITE DJ to play “black” music on the radio.
He coined the term “Rock n Roll”, which categorized the genre.
He played a Bo Diddley song called: “Hey Bo Diddley”
Bo Diddley was the link from Rhythm and Blues to Rock n Roll. Popularized a famous Rhythm from Africa that is used in many Rock n Roll songs.
Bo Diddley inspired a new brand new type of music to emerge.
FIVE FATHERS OF ROCK N ROLL
Used inspiration from Blues, Jazz, Rhythm n Blues and folk music to create new style of music.
• Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly
CHUCK BERRY
POPULAR SONGS UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS
“Johnny B. Goode”“Roll Over Beethoven”“Run Rudolph”
Duck WalkGuitar riffs
Fun Fact: Chuck Berry has been arrested multiple times
LITTLE RICHARD
POPULAR SONGS UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS
“Tutti Frutti”“Long Tall Sally”“ Good Golly Ms. Molly”
Wooooo when singingFlamboyantBoogie Woogie piano playing
Fun Fact: Little Richard gave up music for 20 years to become a minister. He was also on Full House
ELVIS PRESLEY
POPULAR SONGS UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS
“Jailhouse Rock”“Suspicious Minds”“Heartbreak Hotel”“Love Me Tender”(50 #1 hits!!!!0
Soulful voice1st white rock n rollerCurled lipDancing/gyrating
Fun Facts: Elvis died in the bathroom. His daughter married Michael Jackson! Elvis had a twin brother.
JERRY LEE LEWIS
POPULAR SONGS UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS
“Great Balls of Fire”“ Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On”
Crazy Piano playingMumbly voice/ strong accent
Fun Fact: Jerry Lee Lewis has been married over 6 times!
BUDDY HOLLY
POPULAR SONGS UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS
“ Everyday”“That’ll Be The Day”“ Not Fade Away”“Peggy Sue”
Geek lookHiccup in voiceSweet/sincere singingFast guitar playing
Fun Fact: Buddy Holly has been referenced in music by Weezer and in the song “American Pie”, He was 22 when he died.