Music 1950’s - PresentReiley AkkariSpring 2015US History

Introduction

• Music is an art form that brings people together

• Creates trends that people closely follow• Music both influences culture and is

influenced by culture • People connect with music which is why we

can see social behaviors change as the music changes

• Gives a great look into understanding the history of America

1950’s• More electric instruments used

for genres like R&B (Rhythm and Blues) and Rock ‘n’ Roll.

• R&B and Rock ‘n’ Roll are said to be originated by African Americans from Blues and Jazz.

• Some say whites stole the music of African Americans and built on it because there was still racial prejudice.

• Because of this, a lot of African Americans were cheated out of credit.

1950’s con.• However, there were still some

legendary African American artists of the time such as Richard Penniman and Chuck Berry.

• Elvis Presley was a famous artist in Rock ‘n’ Roll and created a rebellious style that caught the ears of teenagers all over the US.

• Famous Artists of the 1950’s: Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Little Richard

1960’s• Some social issues that impacted

Music in the 1960’s include the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights Movement

• From these events, the Hippie Counter Culture Movement arose which centered around peace and love.

• Psychedelic music comes along and creates a new and experimental sound based on Eastern music.

• Some music to fit the Psychedelic time was designed to enhance the experience of using hallucinogenic drugs such as LSD.

1960’s con.• Folk Rock and Protest Music

become popular in the 60’s• Protest Music brings protests

through lyrics and performs them to raise awareness to larger crowds.

• Protest Music did not have a specific sound, but was more along the lines of the format but was largely incorporated in hippie music.

• Along with protests came large music and art festivals such as Woodstock which brought groups of similar people to one place to be “one in peace and love”

1960’s con.• The British Invasion was a series

of British bands that brought themselves into America’s spotlight such as The Beatles, The Who, and The Rolling Stones.

• Surf Rock is basically exactly what it sound like. Originated in Southern CA.

• Hard Rock come up which is a combination of Blues and Rock and is closely associated with strong rebellion/ anti authority as well as drug problems.

• Famous Artists of the 1960’s: Bob Dylan, Beatles, Jimi Hendrix

1970’s• The 1970’s began with rather the

relaxing and fun genre of Disco• Disco brought a lot of fashion

sense into the 70’s because music was slowly becoming more image-based.

• However people got sick of Disco quickly

• Progressive Rock was Rock music that was a bit more spontaneous and exciting live.

• Concept albums form under this genre which create a story throughout the whole album.

1970’s con.• Another form of Rock came

out in the 70’s called Punk Rock which was rebellious and is blaming an ill society for problems

• Funk and Soul music also became quite popular in the 70’s which originated from R&B and Jazz but with a more psychedelic touch.

• Famous Artists of the 1970’s: Abba, Pink Floyd, David Bowie

1980’s • The music of the 1980’s was

greatly influenced and centered around image and fashion now that there was MTV

• MTV played a lot of music videos which is why people were more concerned with how artists looked.

• Hip Hop and Rap became quite popular in the 1980’s because of the original and unheard of sound but conservative parents didn’t like it.

1980’s con.• The 1980’s also brought a lot of one

hit wonders because the attention spans of fans began to decrease

• Pop Music was very popular in the 1980’s which greatly brought fashion trends around.

• Charity Music was also quite popular in which popular musicians had concerts to raise awareness for certain issues.

• An example of Charity music was We Are the World.

• Famous Artists of the 1980’s: Michael Jackson, Madonna Run D.M.C.

1990’s• The early 90’s brought different

themes to the music scene.• Techno and Hip Hop came into

the scene and Hip Hop was relatively popular compared to the past.

• Grunge and Alternative Rock also became popular in the 90’s which were characterized by teenage rebellion, anti-conformity, and displayed a certain negativity.

1990’s con.• After Grunge and Alternative

Rock grew old, “Happy” Rock came about using positive lyrics and more upbeat melodies.

• Mainstream Pop music began in the later parts of the 90’s and had more “suggestive” terms and connotation in lyrics and the music videos.

• There was also a formation of boy bands.

• Famous Artists from the 1990’s: Britney Spears, Nirvana, N’ Sync

2000’s• Hip Hop and Rap Music take a

quick growth in popularity making top of the list.

• However some people saw this genre as immoral and that it brings messages of violence, drug use, and gangs. (of course not all the music was like this)

• “Emo” music comes out as well which is characterized with depressing lyrics and insults of the government.

• Famous Artists of the 2000’s: Eminem, Green Day, Jay Z

Conclusion• As History repeats itself, so do the musical themes and

trends• Through just about every decade, there were multiple

central ideas such as rebellion, peace, and conservative parents not liking the sound of it.

• Through these different decades of music and witnessing the changes it brings about, we received a good connection with History.