the 1970s rock music, disco, and the popular mainstream

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THE 1970s THE 1970s ROCK MUSIC, DISCO, AND ROCK MUSIC, DISCO, AND THE POPULAR MAINSTREAM THE POPULAR MAINSTREAM

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Page 1: THE 1970s ROCK MUSIC, DISCO, AND THE POPULAR MAINSTREAM

THE 1970sTHE 1970s

ROCK MUSIC, DISCO, AND ROCK MUSIC, DISCO, AND THE POPULAR MAINSTREAMTHE POPULAR MAINSTREAM

Page 2: THE 1970s ROCK MUSIC, DISCO, AND THE POPULAR MAINSTREAM

American Culture in the American Culture in the 1970s 1970s

By the early 1970s, the majority of By the early 1970s, the majority of Americans had grown weary of the military Americans had grown weary of the military conflict in Vietnamconflict in Vietnam

Oil crisis in 1973Oil crisis in 1973 Economic inflationEconomic inflation Growing cynicism about politicsGrowing cynicism about politics

– Watergate hearingsWatergate hearings– The resignation of President Richard Nixon in The resignation of President Richard Nixon in

19741974 Popular music remained the target of Popular music remained the target of

conservative politicians and commentators.conservative politicians and commentators.

Page 3: THE 1970s ROCK MUSIC, DISCO, AND THE POPULAR MAINSTREAM

American Culture in the American Culture in the 1970s1970s

The market for popular music The market for popular music became focused on two main became focused on two main categories:categories:– New generation of teenagers, born in New generation of teenagers, born in

the late 1950s and early 1960sthe late 1950s and early 1960s– Adults aged twenty-five to fortyAdults aged twenty-five to forty

Page 4: THE 1970s ROCK MUSIC, DISCO, AND THE POPULAR MAINSTREAM

Nostalgia for the So-Called Nostalgia for the So-Called Golden Age of 1950s AmericaGolden Age of 1950s America

Film Film American GraffitiAmerican Graffiti (1973) (1973) Broadway musical and film Broadway musical and film Grease Grease

(1972 and 1978) (1972 and 1978) TV series TV series Happy DaysHappy Days

Page 5: THE 1970s ROCK MUSIC, DISCO, AND THE POPULAR MAINSTREAM

The End of the Counterculture The End of the Counterculture for Rock Fansfor Rock Fans

Deaths of leading figures in rock Deaths of leading figures in rock musicmusic– Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin in 1970Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin in 1970– Jim Morrison of the Doors in 1971Jim Morrison of the Doors in 1971

Breakup of the BeatlesBreakup of the Beatles– Paul McCartney officially dissolved the Paul McCartney officially dissolved the

business partnership on December 31, business partnership on December 31, 1970.1970.

Page 6: THE 1970s ROCK MUSIC, DISCO, AND THE POPULAR MAINSTREAM

Technology and the Music Technology and the Music Business Business

Corporate Consolidation during the Corporate Consolidation during the 1970s1970s– Six huge corporations were responsible Six huge corporations were responsible

for over 80 percent of record sales in the for over 80 percent of record sales in the United States by the end of the decade:United States by the end of the decade: Columbia/CBSColumbia/CBS Warner CommunicationsWarner Communications RCA VictorRCA Victor Capitol-EMICapitol-EMI MCAMCA United Artists-MGMUnited Artists-MGM

Page 7: THE 1970s ROCK MUSIC, DISCO, AND THE POPULAR MAINSTREAM

Technology and the Music Technology and the Music BusinessBusiness

The recording industry became riskier during The recording industry became riskier during the 1970s.the 1970s.

The recording industry came to depend on a The recording industry came to depend on a relatively small number of million-selling relatively small number of million-selling platinum LPs to make a profit. platinum LPs to make a profit.

A small number of “multiplatinum” A small number of “multiplatinum” superstars negotiated multimillion-dollar superstars negotiated multimillion-dollar contracts with the major record companies. contracts with the major record companies.

Independent labels accounted for only one of Independent labels accounted for only one of every ten records sold in the early 1970s.every ten records sold in the early 1970s.

Page 8: THE 1970s ROCK MUSIC, DISCO, AND THE POPULAR MAINSTREAM

TechnologyTechnology

Eight-track tapes and cassette tapes, Eight-track tapes and cassette tapes, developed in the 1960s, became developed in the 1960s, became increasingly popular in the early 1970s.increasingly popular in the early 1970s.– By 1975, sales of prerecorded tapes accounted By 1975, sales of prerecorded tapes accounted

for almost one-third of all music sales in the for almost one-third of all music sales in the United States.United States.

The recording industry was increasingly The recording industry was increasingly impelled to present more choices for its impelled to present more choices for its customers.customers.– Dozens of specialized types of popular music Dozens of specialized types of popular music

and subgenres of rock music emerged.and subgenres of rock music emerged.

Page 9: THE 1970s ROCK MUSIC, DISCO, AND THE POPULAR MAINSTREAM

RadioRadio

The Top 40 playlist format dominated The Top 40 playlist format dominated AM radioAM radio– Professional programming consultants Professional programming consultants

provided lists of records that had done provided lists of records that had done well in other parts of the country.well in other parts of the country.

– Radio playlists became more and more Radio playlists became more and more restricted, making it difficult for bands restricted, making it difficult for bands without the backing of a major label to without the backing of a major label to break into the Top 40.break into the Top 40.

– The primary medium for rock was FM The primary medium for rock was FM radio.radio.

Page 10: THE 1970s ROCK MUSIC, DISCO, AND THE POPULAR MAINSTREAM

AOR (Album-Oriented Rock)AOR (Album-Oriented Rock)

Aimed at white males aged thirteen Aimed at white males aged thirteen to twenty-fiveto twenty-five– Generally excluded black artistsGenerally excluded black artists– Featured hard rock bands, such as Led Featured hard rock bands, such as Led

Zeppelin and Deep Purple, and art rock Zeppelin and Deep Purple, and art rock bands, such as King Crimson, Emerson, bands, such as King Crimson, Emerson, Lake, and Palmer, and Pink FloydLake, and Palmer, and Pink Floyd

Page 11: THE 1970s ROCK MUSIC, DISCO, AND THE POPULAR MAINSTREAM

Commercial Mainstream Commercial Mainstream Pop rockPop rock Adult contemporaryAdult contemporary Singer-songwritersSinger-songwriters Soft soul, a slick variety of rhythm & blues with Soft soul, a slick variety of rhythm & blues with

lush orchestral accompanimentlush orchestral accompaniment Country pop, a soft style of rock, lightly tinged Country pop, a soft style of rock, lightly tinged

with country music influenceswith country music influences Bubble gum, cheerful songs aimed mainly at a Bubble gum, cheerful songs aimed mainly at a

preteen audiencepreteen audience Disco, a form of dance music popular in the late Disco, a form of dance music popular in the late

1970s, characterized by elaborate studio 1970s, characterized by elaborate studio production and an insistent beatproduction and an insistent beat

Page 12: THE 1970s ROCK MUSIC, DISCO, AND THE POPULAR MAINSTREAM

African American Artists during African American Artists during the 1970sthe 1970s

Artists such as James Brown and Artists such as James Brown and Aretha Franklin found it more difficult Aretha Franklin found it more difficult to penetrate the pop- and rock-to penetrate the pop- and rock-dominated Top 40 charts.dominated Top 40 charts.

Motown Records no longer enjoyed Motown Records no longer enjoyed dominance of the crossover market.dominance of the crossover market.

Many of the black performers who Many of the black performers who were featured on AM radio and the were featured on AM radio and the Top 40 charts specialized in soft soul.Top 40 charts specialized in soft soul.

Page 13: THE 1970s ROCK MUSIC, DISCO, AND THE POPULAR MAINSTREAM

The Philadelphia SoundThe Philadelphia Sound

One of the most commercially One of the most commercially successful forms of soul music during successful forms of soul music during the 1970sthe 1970s

Produced by Kenny Gamble and Leon Produced by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff and performed by groups such as Huff and performed by groups such as the O’Jays and Harold Melvin and the the O’Jays and Harold Melvin and the Blue NotesBlue Notes

These groups had great crossover These groups had great crossover success in the 1970s.success in the 1970s.

Page 14: THE 1970s ROCK MUSIC, DISCO, AND THE POPULAR MAINSTREAM

The Tin Pan Alley Tradition of The Tin Pan Alley Tradition of SongwritingSongwriting

Songs from the Tin Pan Alley tradition Songs from the Tin Pan Alley tradition continued to be popular during the 1970s.continued to be popular during the 1970s.

The first Number One single of the 1970s The first Number One single of the 1970s was a throwback to the Brill Building era of was a throwback to the Brill Building era of the early 1960s, “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ the early 1960s, “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head,” performed by former on My Head,” performed by former country singer B. J. Thomas. country singer B. J. Thomas.

The song was featured on the soundtrack The song was featured on the soundtrack to the film to the film Butch Cassidy and the Butch Cassidy and the Sundance KidSundance Kid. . – Composed by Hal David and Burt BacharachComposed by Hal David and Burt Bacharach

Page 15: THE 1970s ROCK MUSIC, DISCO, AND THE POPULAR MAINSTREAM

Country Music and the Pop Country Music and the Pop MainstreamMainstream

Glen CampbellGlen Campbell Born in Arkansas in 1936Born in Arkansas in 1936 Worked with western swing bands in the Southwest Worked with western swing bands in the Southwest

as a teenageras a teenager Moved to Los Angeles in 1958, where he developed Moved to Los Angeles in 1958, where he developed

a career as a session guitarist and vocalista career as a session guitarist and vocalist Starting in the late 1960s, he had a string of Starting in the late 1960s, he had a string of

crossover hits on the country and pop charts:crossover hits on the country and pop charts:– ““Gentle on My Mind” (1967)Gentle on My Mind” (1967)– ““By the Time I Get to Phoenix” (1967)By the Time I Get to Phoenix” (1967)– ““Wichita Lineman” (1968) Wichita Lineman” (1968)

In 1969, he began hosting his own network TV In 1969, he began hosting his own network TV series.series.

Page 16: THE 1970s ROCK MUSIC, DISCO, AND THE POPULAR MAINSTREAM

Charlie Rich, the “Silver Charlie Rich, the “Silver Fox” Fox”

Born in Arkansas in 1932Born in Arkansas in 1932 Talented jazz and blues pianistTalented jazz and blues pianist

Began as a member of the group of Began as a member of the group of rockabilly performers at Sam Phillips’s Sun rockabilly performers at Sam Phillips’s Sun RecordsRecords

Switched to pop-oriented country music by Switched to pop-oriented country music by the 1960s and scored a series of Number the 1960s and scored a series of Number One crossover hits during the mid-1970sOne crossover hits during the mid-1970s

Won the Country Music Association (CMA) Won the Country Music Association (CMA) award for Entertainer of the Year in 1974award for Entertainer of the Year in 1974

Page 17: THE 1970s ROCK MUSIC, DISCO, AND THE POPULAR MAINSTREAM

John Denver (John Henry John Denver (John Henry Deutschendorf)Deutschendorf)

Born in New Mexico in 1943Born in New Mexico in 1943 His pop-oriented hit records were His pop-oriented hit records were

despised by many in the traditional despised by many in the traditional audience for country music.audience for country music.

Page 18: THE 1970s ROCK MUSIC, DISCO, AND THE POPULAR MAINSTREAM

Olivia Newton-JohnOlivia Newton-John Born in England in 1948Born in England in 1948 Grew up in AustraliaGrew up in Australia Scored a series of Top 10 country crossover hits Scored a series of Top 10 country crossover hits

during the mid-1970s:during the mid-1970s:– ““Let Me Be There” Let Me Be There” – ““If You Love Me Let Me Know”If You Love Me Let Me Know”– ““Have You Never Been Mellow” Have You Never Been Mellow”

Won the CMA award for Female Singer of the Year Won the CMA award for Female Singer of the Year in 1974in 1974– Her popularity in country music was met with distaste by Her popularity in country music was met with distaste by

many hardcore country fans.many hardcore country fans. Moved out of country music to jump on the oldies Moved out of country music to jump on the oldies

bandwagon bandwagon – Appeared in the film Appeared in the film GreaseGrease and on its bestselling and on its bestselling

soundtrack album (1978) soundtrack album (1978)

Page 19: THE 1970s ROCK MUSIC, DISCO, AND THE POPULAR MAINSTREAM

Dolly PartonDolly Parton

Born in the hill country of Tennessee in Born in the hill country of Tennessee in 19461946

Began her recording career at age elevenBegan her recording career at age eleven Moved to Nashville in 1964Moved to Nashville in 1964 Built her career with regular appearances Built her career with regular appearances

on country music radio and televisionon country music radio and television Succeeded Newton-John as CMA Female Succeeded Newton-John as CMA Female

Singer of the Year in 1975 and 1976Singer of the Year in 1975 and 1976

Page 20: THE 1970s ROCK MUSIC, DISCO, AND THE POPULAR MAINSTREAM

Hardcore CountryHardcore Country

Merle Haggard and the Bakersfield Merle Haggard and the Bakersfield SoundSound– During the 1970s, some musicians During the 1970s, some musicians

returned to the straightforward returned to the straightforward approach of postwar honky-tonk approach of postwar honky-tonk musicians like Hank Williams and Ernest musicians like Hank Williams and Ernest Tubb.Tubb.

Page 21: THE 1970s ROCK MUSIC, DISCO, AND THE POPULAR MAINSTREAM

Merle HaggardMerle Haggard Captured the spirit of so-called hardcore Captured the spirit of so-called hardcore

country in his recordingscountry in his recordings Born near Bakersfield, CA in 1937Born near Bakersfield, CA in 1937

– Son of migrants from Oklahoma (the “Okies”)Son of migrants from Oklahoma (the “Okies”) Wandered from place to place as a child.Wandered from place to place as a child. At nineteen, Haggard began serving a At nineteen, Haggard began serving a

three-year sentence at San Quentin Prison.three-year sentence at San Quentin Prison. In the early 1960s, after his release, In the early 1960s, after his release,

Haggard worked odd jobs around Haggard worked odd jobs around Bakersfield playing at nightclubs and Bakersfield playing at nightclubs and honky-tonks. honky-tonks.

Page 22: THE 1970s ROCK MUSIC, DISCO, AND THE POPULAR MAINSTREAM

Bakersfield, CABakersfield, CA

Was emerging as the center of a Was emerging as the center of a distinctive sound of country music, distinctive sound of country music, an outgrowth of the rockabilly of the an outgrowth of the rockabilly of the 1950s.1950s.

The “Bakersfield sound” stood in The “Bakersfield sound” stood in direct opposition to the slick sound of direct opposition to the slick sound of much Nashville country music and much Nashville country music and was one of the most influential was one of the most influential country genres of the late 1960s.country genres of the late 1960s.

Page 23: THE 1970s ROCK MUSIC, DISCO, AND THE POPULAR MAINSTREAM

Merle HaggardMerle Haggard

In 1965, Haggard scored a Top 10 In 1965, Haggard scored a Top 10 country hit with the song “(My country hit with the song “(My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers,” Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers,” which led to a recording contract which led to a recording contract with Capitol Records.with Capitol Records.

Other hits include Other hits include – ““The Fugitive” andThe Fugitive” and– ““Okie from Muskogee,” which reached Okie from Muskogee,” which reached

Number One on the country charts and Number One on the country charts and forty-one on the pop charts. forty-one on the pop charts.

Page 24: THE 1970s ROCK MUSIC, DISCO, AND THE POPULAR MAINSTREAM

““Okie from Muskogee” Okie from Muskogee” We don’t smoke marijuana in MuskogeeWe don’t smoke marijuana in MuskogeeWe don’t take our trips on LSDWe don’t take our trips on LSDWe don’t burn our draft cards down on Main StreetWe don’t burn our draft cards down on Main StreetWe like livin’ right and being free…We like livin’ right and being free…

We don’t make a party out of lovin’We don’t make a party out of lovin’We like holdin’ hands and pitchin’ wooWe like holdin’ hands and pitchin’ wooWe don’t let our hair grow long and shaggy We don’t let our hair grow long and shaggy Like the hippies in San Francisco do…Like the hippies in San Francisco do…

We still wave Old Glory down at the courthouse,We still wave Old Glory down at the courthouse,In Muskogee, Oklahoma, U.S.A. In Muskogee, Oklahoma, U.S.A.

This song alienated many liberal listeners who had This song alienated many liberal listeners who had previously lauded Merle Haggard as a “poet of the common previously lauded Merle Haggard as a “poet of the common man.” man.”

Page 25: THE 1970s ROCK MUSIC, DISCO, AND THE POPULAR MAINSTREAM

Merle HaggardMerle Haggard

Haggard’s songs reflected the real Haggard’s songs reflected the real concerns and aspirations of millions of concerns and aspirations of millions of Americans, particularly migrants from the Americans, particularly migrants from the South who struggled to support their South who struggled to support their families during the economic climate of families during the economic climate of the 1970sthe 1970s

““If We Make It through December” (1973) If We Make It through December” (1973) captured the real-life dilemmas of captured the real-life dilemmas of working-class Americans struggling to working-class Americans struggling to create lives for their families.create lives for their families.

Page 26: THE 1970s ROCK MUSIC, DISCO, AND THE POPULAR MAINSTREAM

““If We Make It through If We Make It through December” (1973)December” (1973)

Got laid off at the factoryGot laid off at the factoryAnd the timing’s not the greatest in the worldAnd the timing’s not the greatest in the worldHeaven knows I been working hardHeaven knows I been working hard

Wanted Christmas to be right for Daddy’s girlWanted Christmas to be right for Daddy’s girlI don’t mean to hate December, it’s meant to be the happy I don’t mean to hate December, it’s meant to be the happy

time of yeartime of yearAnd my little girl don’t understand why Daddy can’t afford no And my little girl don’t understand why Daddy can’t afford no

Christmas hereChristmas hereIf we make it through December everything’s gonna be all If we make it through December everything’s gonna be all

right, I knowright, I knowIt’s the coldest time of year and I shiver when I see the falling It’s the coldest time of year and I shiver when I see the falling

snow…snow…If we make it through December we’ll be fineIf we make it through December we’ll be fine