Test #2 Flashcards
The Start of Rock & Roll
Intro of R&B into mainstream music in 1955, along with post-war pop culture devoted to teens
Movies that contributed to Rock & Roll
"The Wild One" (1953) "Rebel Without a Cause" (1955) "Blackboard Jungle" (1955) "Rock, Rock -Rock" (1956) "Motorcycle Gang" (1957) "High school Hellcats" (1958)
“Blackboard Jungle” (1955)
This film is credited with sparking the Rock & Roll revolution
Alan Freed
A radio announcer who originally hosted an evening of classical music. In July of 1951. became host DJ of the Moondog Rock’n Roll Party-playing R&B
He coined the phrase Rock and Roll”
He worked to promote Rock and Roll and developed a rapport with local DJs to promote airplay
Crossover
A record released on one chart and then charts on one or both of the other two charts
Cover
A newer version of a song sung by a different artist
Antoine “Fats” Domino
A new Orleans based R&B artist who played a relaxed, lolling, boogie-woogie piano style. He projected a warm and friendly image that could hardly trigger racial anxiety. “Aint it a Shame” (1955)
Chuck Berry
More important to the development of Rock & Roll than anyone else. He was the heartbeat of rock. Was known for his showmanship, such as the “duck walk” and splits. “Mayballene” (1955) “Johhny B. Goode”
“Little” Richard Penniman
Merged the fire of gospel with New Orleans R&B. He was the first “wild man” or Rock & Roll. He was also the first rocker to wear makeup.
Rockabilly
Wild blend of country & western and early R&B. It was one of the first forms of rock. It largely disappeared after 1958.
Sun Records
Owned by Sam Phillips, it pioneered rockabilly. It produced more Rock and Roll records than any other label of its time. Sun had Elvis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ray Orbison, and others.
Carl Perkins
A pioneer of the rockabilly sound. A major pioneer of rockabilly; the first million+ seller for sun. He was a major influence on The Beatles
Johnny Cash
Known for his distinctive voice, he crafted more than 400 plain-spoken story songs describing and addressing the lives of coal miners, share croppers, Native Americans, prisoners, cowboys, renegades, and family men. Died September 2003 at 71.
Jerry Lee Lewis
From Ferriday, Louisiana. He was a piano-thumping, egocentric wild man. He was every parents’ worst nightmare. The marrying of his young cousin led to a scandal and his public disgrace in 1958.
Charles Hardin “Buddy” Holly
He pioneered the now popular and standard rock and roll lineup. He lacked the sexuality of Elvis but was very charismatic. He died in a tragic plane crash in 1959.
Ritchie Valens
He was discovered in 1958 after his song “Come on Let’s Go” He was the forefather of Chicano and Latin Rock. Died in plane crash in 1959.
Payola
The Illegal practice of payment by recording companies for the broadcast of recordings on the radio. A government investigation in 1959 severely threatened Rock & Roll, and ruined Allan Freed’s career.
1957
Little Richard Penniman received a calling into the ministry. Elvis received a draft notice later that year. Jerry Lee Lewis lost his career to the marriage scandal. Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, & The Big Bopper were killed in a plane crash.
1959
Chuck Berry is charged with transporting a minor over state lines. The payola scandal broke this year.
Elvis
On July 5, 1954, his career was launched by his song “That’s All Right Mama” His 5 Sun Records singles are considered the best Rock and Roll songs ever recorded. He had numerous appearances on tv and in movies. Teenagers flocked to his concerts, with many of their parents despising him.
Elvis in the Army
He was drafted in 1957. Many people thought his career was over, but he recorded several records before his deployment that were released gradually. When he returned, he was still able to continue career, and moved beyond what he had originally done.
Later Years of Elvis
He died on August 16, 1977 at 42. He was the first rocker to have hits on all three charts, and was inducted into four separate music hall of fame’s. He is a cultural icon and continues to grow even in death.
Colonel Tom Parker
He was the personal manager/promoter for Elvis.
He was considered a master at what he did, and managed to take Elvis to the national level. In 1969, he negotiated a contract that gave him 50% of what Elvis earned.
End of the 50’s
Major and Larger indie labels began calming rock down with teen idols and girl groups. The Brill building arose.
The Brill Building
The Brill Building was located in New York. IT contained 165 music businesses. Had songwriters, musicians, arrangers, publishers, printers, and promoters all in one place. It controlled the music industry. Teams of songwriters churned out songs that were more sophisticated than what had been seen before.
Aldon Publishing
One of the most successful companies of the 1960’s. It was founded by Don Kirshnir and Gerry Goffin. It had many small rooms with pianos for songwriters to write new pop songs.
