In the Beginning . . .

1950’s Rock and Roll

Five types of popular music before rock and roll Folk Blues Country & western Jazz Pop

All styles came from Folk Folk had Anglo and Afro roots Anglo

– Northern Anglo produced pop and jazz– Southern Anglo produced C&W

Afro– Spirituals, work songs, field hollars

• (call and response patterns)

– Eventually Blues and Rhythm and Blues (R&B)

“I am convinced that the future of music of this country (U.S.A.) must be founded on what are called Negro melodies (spirituals, work songs, etc.). These can be the foundation of a serious and original school of composition to be developed in the United States.”– Antonin Dvorak upon touring the U.S. and

finding musical sources for his “Symphony From the New World”

Rock and Roll was a combination of

White Country Western and

Black Rhythm and Blues

Capsule view of the 1950’s

Peace, Prosperity and Patriotism– Won World War II– Standard of living rising– Home ownership up– Baby boom

(View of the 1950’s cont.)

Strong patriotism– Best country– Strongest country– Eisenhower seen as symbol

• (WWII general / hero / elected President)

– Anti communist feelings• Replaced hatred of the Axis powers

Not all rosy within US society HUAC (House Un-American Activities

Committee)– “you’re subversive”

Sen. Joe McCarthy (McCarthyism)– “you’re a communist”

Cold War with Russia Nuclear arms race / threat Civil rights and segregation

Some groups left out of the prosperity Blacks – segregation, prejudice,

unemployment Lower class – unemployment, low

standard of living Teens (?)

“Young people occupied a distinctive place in postwar American life. The children of the postwar baby boom were becoming adolescents during the 1950’s, and in the process, a distinctive ‘teen’ subculture began to emerge. Living amid such a prosperous era, teenagers had more money and free time than any previous generation.” America: A Narrative History– George Brown Tindall & David E. Shi

“Seems to me that white teenagers of the 40’s and 50’s helped launch black artists nationally”

– Chuck Berry

American youth in the 50’s* New class of “teenagers”

– New labor laws; mandatory school Free time Money to spend

– Dads had good jobs Developing own values - rebellious

– Drawn to black rhythm and blues (this combination of factors opened the

door for rock an roll to happen)*

People and Events

Race records– Black artists not allowed on major record

labels (white)– Primarily R&B– Aimed at black audiences– Not allowed on “white” radio stations– Found market with white youth– Covered by white performers

Alan Freed– White DJ in Cleveland

• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Clevelend

– Began playing black R&B– Refused to play white covers– Coined the term “rock and roll”

• Separated from racial links• Some thought decadent• Some thought communist plot• Some thought it was just junk

People and events cont.

Bill Haley and the Comets– Combined white CW with black R&B– 1st to do this completely– Softened the often sexual lyrics of R&B

(more acceptable with white audiences)– Elaborate stage routines (common with

R&B but not white groups)– Rock-a-billy – music of early white rockers

that came from C&W

Key songs – “Shake, Rattle and Roll” – “Rock Around the Clock”

Did some movies (cameo roles)– 1st rock and roll song in movie– “Rock Around the Clock”– Blackboard Jungle (movie title)

Minor figure by late 50’s Remained popular in England

Fats Domino

Born in New Orleans in 1928– Antoine Domino– Most consistent of all the early rockers– Not a sex symbol– Did not threaten the established order– Long career

• Stayed out of trouble• Stayed healthy• 65 million records in 20 years (only Beatles and Elvis

sold more)

Identifying traits– Piano – chunky, boogie-woogie – Warm vocal style (did not shout & scream)– Lacked flash of other rockers– “Modern equivalent of a Bessie Smith”

Key songs– “Blueberry Hill”– “I’m Walkin’”– “Ain’t That a Shame”

Jerry Lee Lewis

Born in Louisiana in 1935– Listened to country swing, rural blues– Influenced by piano boogies– Went to Memphis to Sun Records –

Sam Phillips (just like Elvis)– Always seemed angry, chip on his shoulder

Identifying traits– Wild vocal style– Wild piano style

– Glissando– Pound keys w/

hands and feet– Key songs

• “Whole Lot of Shakin’ Goin’ On”

• “Breathless”• “Great Balls of Fire”

Identifying traits– W

ild vocal style

– Wild piano style– G

lissando

– Pound keys w/ hands and feet

Tough act to follow– “I prefer not to follow Jerry Lee Lewis

again” – Fats Domino

Career problems Married his 13 yr old cousin – Myra

– Was third wife– Still married to 2nd wife– Married her while still married

to 1st wife

Blacklisted by radio stations and concert halls

Eventually went back to C&W to play small time gigs

Little Richard

Born in 1932, Macon Georgia– Richard Wayne Penniman– Never really liked R&B– Liked pop and jazz more– Recorded for Specialty Records

– a race label

Identifying traits– Wild performer / screamer– Piano– “Whooooooooo” in falsetto– Key Songs

• “Tutti Frutti”• “Long Tall Sally”*• “Good Golly Miss Molly”

Spotty career– Drug and alcohol problems– Lifestyles issues– In and out of music and ministry

• Bible was main reading matter• Often quote scripture morning after parties

Chuck Berry

Born in St. Louis in 1926– Lower middle class family– Recorded for Chess

- a race label– Nat King Cole and Muddy Waters were

idols• Muddy Waters suggested he get started with

Chess Records (a race label)

Identifying traits– Duck walk– Hot guitar – rare at this time

• Clean and understated

– 1st real guitar superstar• #6 on Rolling Stone

“100 Greatest Guitarists”

– Much C&W and hillbilly swing in the beginning• “Who’s that black hillbilly

playing at the Cosmo?”

Influenced the Beatles, Stones, etc.– “. . . he taught George Harrison and Keith Richards to play

guitar long before he met either . . “

Key Songs– “Maybellene” (his first)– “Roll Over Beethoven”*– “Johnny B. Goode”– “My Ding-a-Ling” (“come back song” 1970)

Troubles with the law– 1st degree robbery 1944– Violation of the Mann Act 1959

• Trial marked with racism• Earned HS diploma while in prison

– Tax evasion 1979

Buddy Holly

Born in Texas, 1936 Quiet, unassuming kid Had a “nerd” appearance Started by playing country western Influences

– Hank Williams– Bill Monroe (bluegrass)

Went to rock and roll in 1956– Buddy Holly and the Crickets

Identifying traits– Played guitar (differently than Chuck Berry)– “hiccup” vocal style– Songs sounded different

• Did not follow the R&B forms• Used background voices• Wrote his own music • One of the first white stars to rely on own

songs

Key Songs– “That’ll Be the Day”– “Words of Love”*– “Peggy Sue”

WHat

Died on Feb. 3, 1959 – plane crash (“The Day the Music Died”)– Plane was named “American Pie”– Inspiration for the Don McLean song– Two others died as well

• Big Bopper• Ritchie Valens

Elvis Presley

“The King of Rock and Roll” Early years

– Born in 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi• Poor family

– Moved to Memphis in 1948• Attended Hume High School• Predominantly black school

Stage I (to 1958)– Formative years; establish stage presence– Most involved with rock and roll– Sam Phillips

• 1st manager• Ran Sun Records• 1st group – Western Wranglers

• “If I could find a white man who had a Negro sound and a Negro feel, I could make a million dollars” – Sam Phillips

Went from country to R&R– “That’s Alright Mama”

• 1st rock and roll song• Cover of Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup• “accidentally” recorded during a break at a

recording session at Sun

(Stage I cont.)– “Heartbreak Hotel” – 1st #1 song 1956– 1st TV appearance – 1956

• Lots of angry, horrified parents• Too sexy

– Bought Graceland mansion - 1957

– Col. Tom Parker• 2nd manager; big time promoter• TV, movies, concert, etc.

The Army – Drafted 1958– Cleaned up public image

• Role model; parental approval

– Met future wife, Priscilla Beaulieu• Sent her back to Graceland to wait for wedding

Stage II (1960 – 1965)– Movie years (29 films)– Watered-down Elvis– Only movie music– Col. Parker controlled career

• Pushed movies• Wanted more middle class entertainer

Stage III (1965 – 1977)– Popularity dwindled, except for faithful– Manufactured show-biz look– Las Vegas years– 1968 “Comeback Special”

• Hour NBC special in December• Parker wanted Christmas show• Elvis wanted R&R

– Died August 16, 1977• Declining health• Weight and drugs

– Elvis Legacy• 400 million records sold• 45 gold records

– “You Ain’t Nothin’ But a Hound Dog”– “Love Me Tender”– “Jailhouse Rock”– “Don’t Be Cruel– “All Shook Up”

1950’s “Immortals”(from Rolling Stone)

Elvis Presley #3 Chuck Berry #5 Little Richard #8 Buddy Holly #13 Jerry Lee Lewis #24

1950’s Immortals influenced the next generation of rock and roll, e.g.

– Songs covered by The Beatles• “Roll Over Beethoven” - Chuck Berry• “Long Tall Sally” - Little Richard• “Words of Love” - Buddy Holly

Summary of late 50’s R & R

Four characteristics– Simple, understandable emotional level– Represents 1950’s optimism– Commonly understood communication– Not sad or depressing (happy music)

Summary cont.

Four types of rock and roll developed– Shouters – up tempo, R&B oriented– Crooners – smooth ballads, white teen

idols, not R&B– Specialty songs – associated with dances– Novelty songs – comedy, “monsters”

Changing face of 50’s R&R

Shift from rural to urban Settled back into pop sound More white influence than black Broader audience appeal Financial success

Other 50’s rocker “Immortals”– Ray Charles #10– Bo Diddley #20– Fats Domino #25– Johnny Cash #31– Roy Orbison #37