Readings Flashcards
Why do Black artists often not benefit from covers of their work
Paid in flat fees, sign away rights
What is the argument for cover version
Unit of trade has been the song, not the performance. Covers are common practice in the music industry
What song had 3 cover versions
“Davey Crocket’s Ballad”
How does our current frame of reference influence opinion on cover version
The idea that the original performance is the “reference” is modern. (Example Sgt. Peppers)
What makes cover versions different from other covers
note for note covers, often no stylistic or substantive changes
What are three artists which sign at Sun after Elvis?
Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis
What is Carl Perkins major Hit
Blue Suede Shoes
When is Blue Suede Shoes released?
1956
How is Carl Perkins’ career sidelined?
auto accident
What radio program did Johnny Cash Frequent?
Louisiana Hayride
Where is Louisiana Hayride based out of
Shreveport
What are two johnny cash hits?
Folsom Prison Blues (C&W), I Walk the line C&W->Pop
How many top 40 songs does cash release on sun?
4
Where to Cash and Perkins move to
Columbia Records
When do Cash and Perkins change labels
1957
When do the Payola Hearings start?
1959
What is Payola a proxy fight for?
Major Labels/Establishments vs Independent record companies.
What are the two song writing unions
ASCAP (establishment) & BMI (R&B/Rock)
what explanation is used to explain rock’s rise in popularity
Independent labels are bribing djs to get it played
Why does the FCC get involved in Payola
DJs not acknowledging gifts, not reporting them on taxes
What major DJs are investigated by Payola
Alan Freed, Dick Clark
What are three examples of Aldon Music songwriting teams
King/Goffin, Weil/Mann, Sedaka/Greenfield
What are the two major market segments identified by major labels in the in between years?
Older Boomers: Folk&Classical
Younger Boomers: Dance Craze/Teen Idols
How often were new songs produced at Aldon?
Every day
What program was responsible for the rise of Dance Craze?
American Bandstand
What is the format of American Bandstand
A bunch of teens dancing on TV to current hits, occasional guest performances
When did Bandstand debut?
1952 on WFIL (Philidelphia)
Who originally hosted Bandstand?
Bob Horn
When was Bandstand aired nationally
1957
Who hosted Bandstand
Dick Clark
How did bandstand help teen idols
No singing (lip synced performances)
What song does Dick Clark introduce on Bandstand in 1960
The Twist (cover by Ernest Evans)
What lounge in NYC was known for doing the twist
Peppermint Lounge
What impact did Bandstand have on youth culture
Enforced youth culture as a national identity
What impact did Bandstand have on adults
Made rock music acceptable (especially the twist)
What are two examples of producers?
Phil Spector, Leiber and Stoller
What is the precursor of the producer?
The Artists and Repetoire man (responsible for getting session musicians and arranging them)
How does A&R shift to producers
Rise of recording tech gives more creative control to A&R. They become experts in shifting sound
What was the first succesful producer
Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller
How do producers change the influence of recording
Recordings are art in themselves
What is Sweet Soul
softer version of black pop, great for crossover
what producers were responsible for sweet soul
Leiber Stoller
What are the influences of Sweet Soul?
gospel music
How does Sam Cooke deviate from other black pop artists
incorporates black influences into his music
how many top 40 singles did Sam Cook have between 57 and 65
29
Who preceded Sam Cook
Ray Charles - proved gospel had mainstream appeal
What was Sam Cooke’s original stage name?
Dale Cooke
Why did Sam Cooke use a pseudonym
wanted to test the water before committing to Pop
What is the nickname for pop songs whose lyrics romanticize death?
Splatter Platters
What are two examples of Splatter Platters
Teen Angel, Leader of the Pack
Who produces leader of the pack
Leiber and Stoller
What is the narrative of leader of the pack
motorcycle boy killed in motorcycle crash
