Golden Age of Rock n Roll Flashcards
When was the Golden Age of Rock n’ Roll
1954 - 1959
What events bookend the golden age of rock n roll?
Rise of Elvis -> the great extinction
What is Payola?
Corruption in music scandal
What implicit connection do major labels make
Link race -> quality of music
Why do major labels attack rock music
Believe it is inferior (doesn’t follow TPA, black influenced)
What are the Payola Hearings
Congressional investigation into bribery in music. People are paying DJs to get songs played
How is Alan Freed impacted by Payola
Admits to taking bribes to play songs (a common practice). Gets fired, goes bankrupt, dies in 1963
How much does the music industry grow in the Golden Age of Rock n’ Roll?
1954 - 200M
1959 - 600M
What is the independant label market share across the golden age of rock n’ roll?
1954 - 21%
1959 - 66%
What is the market share of Rock n’ Roll across the Golden Age?
1954 - 15%
1959 - 42
When was Brown V. Board of Education
May 1954
What was Brown V. Board of Education
Landmark Civil Rights ruling, segregation of schools is unconsitutional
When were the Montgomery Bus Boycotts
December 1955
What are Freedom Riders
People who take bus trips across the deep south in non-segregated busses to challenge segregation in bussing
What are Lunch Counter Sit Ins
Sit in protest at lunch counters at department stores which did not serve black customers
What is a key practice of the civil rights movement
Non-Violent protest
What is the Great Extinction
The ending of the careers of many Golden Age Rock and Roll Artists at the same period at the end of the 50s
How was Elvis impacted by the Great Extinction
Drafted into the army - 1958
How was Chuck Berry impacted by the Great Extinction?
Convicted under the Mann act for driving the daughter of a friend across a state line to work as a coat check. Serves 2 years in prison
How was Jerry Lee Lewis impacted by the Great Extinction
Career destroyed after he marries his 13 year old cousin in May 1958
What is Jerry Lee Lewis’ hit
Great Balls of Fire
How was Little Richard impacted by the great extinction?
Plane engine bursts into flame, makes a convenant with god to give up music and become a minister if he survives
How is Buddy Holly impacted by the great extinction
Killed in a plane crash in Feb 1959 with Richie Valens and “The big Bopper”
What was the significance of Feb 3, 1959
“The day the music dies”
What are some Buddy Holly Hits?
That’ll be the day, Peggy Sue
What is the impact of the great extinction on the major labels
Gives them space to become dominant again
