Music Flashcards
What was important about Elvis’ first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show? ___% of TV audiences watched the appearance.
- He appeared on Sept. 9, 1956. Received $50,000 for three appearances = most ever paid at the time. Sullivan didn’t even want to book him at first. It was scandalous because they showed his hips.
- 82%
- What gave teenagers liberation from their parents music?
- Who invented it?
- What did it allow them to do (although it had lousy sound quality)
- The phonography
- Thomas Edison
- Could record and then play back music
When did radio develop? How?
1920s. Amateur radio operators set up receivers.
What programs did early radio have? What was it? What are two important events in early radio?
- Music, comedy, drama, news
- Major entertainment 1930s-1945.
- FDR response to pearl harbor attack and War of the Worlds reading
How did Rock n Roll start?
• Teenagers sick of mom and dads music. Rejecting mainstream waltzes and sentimental drivel
Who was Sam Phillips?
Inventor of Rock n Roll = discovered Elvis. “That’s All Right” - first song Elvis recorded
What was the day the music died?
- February 3, 1959
- Plane crash
- Buddy Holly, Richie Valen, “The Big Bopper” Richardson
- Rock lost its momentum
What was the British invasion? Why was it important?
The Beatles came to America and revived rock in 1963
Where and when did country music originate?
- Followed old time music of the Appalachian Mountains.
2. 1920
Who are two notable country musicians?
1. James Charles Rodger ○ Band broke up before recording ○ "The Soldiers Sweetheart" • Garth Brooks ○ Most popular country singer of all time
When and where did rap originate?
- Originated in 1970s
- Bronx/ Harlem
- Grew out of the work of DJs and MCs
What was the first commercial rap recording?
Sugarhill gang
What was the Payola Scandal?
• 1950s
• Recording industry paying DJs to play particular songs
• Alan Freed - coined name “Rock n Roll”
○ Career ended when he was caught taking bribes
• Music director to the rescue (not really)
• Payola never really went away
What are the twe labels in the music industry?
Major labels and independent labels. Other artists avoid labels (like Radiohead)
What made digital music successful?
iTunes
○ Some artists refuse to use
○ Prince says “The internet is dead”
○ Artistic continuity of albums - iTunes destroyed this