The In Between Years Flashcards
When were the In Between Years
1959-1963
What do the major labels realize at the end of the Golden Age
Recognize Rock isnt just a fad
How do the major labels react to the golden age of rock n roll
Begin creating pop music specifically targeted at teens in the late 50s and early 60s
What is Dance Craze
Type of song where the lyrics of the song describe how to do the dance
What are some examples of Dance Craze
The Twist, The Locomotion
When was The Locomotion released
1962
Who performs The Locomotion
Little Eva
Who writes The Locomotion
Goffin/King
How does The Locomotion demonstrate the major label’s attempt at rock
sax solo (kind of boring though, not improvised), disposable artist, division of labour
What are Teen Idols?
Clean cut, idealized boyfriend, no bad boy image
Who are teen idols aimed at
Boomers, with care taken not to offend the parents
What is important in a teen idol
Appearance. Singing is not required
Who is an example of a Teen Idol
Bobby Vinton
What is an example of a Teen Idol song
Blue Velvet
When was Blue Velvet released
1963
What unique feature does Blue Velvet have?
Lead guitar (different from previous major label songs)
When was Blue Velvet composed
1950
Who first made Blue Velvet famous
Tony Bennett
What are the themes of pop music in the In Between Years
Romantic (Non-sexual) love, dancing
Do most artists write their own songs in the In Between Years?
No
How do we get the Name the In Between Years
In Between the Golden Age and the Beatles, period of stagnation for the music industry
Where do many songs come from in this period
The Brill Building
What is the Brill Building
famous building in new york with songwriting companies in it
What is a major Brill Building Songwriting shop
Aldon Music
Who founds Aldon Music?
Don Krishner and Al Nevins
What is the style of Aldon Music
TPA approach. Teams of songwriters work on songs and pitch them to Al and Don who then find an artist to record it.
What is the impact of Aldon
Many hits of this era are Aldon songs
Who invented the magnetophone
The Nazis
What is a magnetophone
Reel -> Reel tape recorder
Where was the magnetophone found
abandoned Nazi radio station
Who discovered the magnetophone
Sgt. Jack Mullin
Who does Sgt. Mullin first give the r2r tape recorder to
Bing Crosby. Had a weekly radio show that was a pain to do live while he was traveling
Why does a R2R tape recorder work for radio?
No crackle & popping unlike records. Doesnt crack and is durable. Flexible medium that allows for editing, laugh tracks etc
Who is the first to record a national weekly radio show?
Bing Crosby
What is the first R2R company
Ampex
Who does Bing Crosby give one of the first R2R tape recorders to?
Les Paul
When does Les Paul recieve his R2R
1948
When was Les Paul born
1915
When did Les Paul die
2009
What notable invention did Les Paul create
solid body guitar
How did Les Paul innovate the use of R2R tape recorders
uses it to layer performances, assists in the development of multitrack tape recording
What is a good example of early multitrack recording
Sitting On Top of the World - Les Paul w/ Mary Ford
When was sitting on top of the world released
1953
What is unique about sitting on top of the world?
All instruments played by les paul. Vocal harmony is completely done by Mary Ford. The guitar solo was played at a slower RPM and then sped up
How does multitrack recording change the art of making music
Changes recording from an act of reproduction to an act of production
When does multitrack become popular in the music industry
In Between Years
What is a great example of an early producer
Phil Spector
what is Phil Spectors signature production quality
“Wall of Sound” - have a ton of artists play the same song, layer on layer until they all meld together into one giant sound
What is an example of Phil Spector Wall of Sound song
“Be my Baby” - The Ronettes
When was Be My Baby released
1963
What was innovative about Be My Baby
you can’t hear any one instrument throughout the song, they just drift in and out of the foreground
What genre was popular on the West Coast during the In Between Years?
Surf Music
How was Surf Music related to the Golden Age of R&R
A reprise of the ideas of golden age (self contained bands writing and playing their own music, targeting teenagers)
What demographic was surf music targeted at
White, middle class, west coast (mostly California) teenagers
What instruments does surf music focus on
The electric guitar and electric bass
What type of tracks are common in surf music
instrumental tracks
What is a good example of a surf band
The Beach Boys
What was the original name of the Beachboys
The Pendletones (from the Pendleton shirts that they wore)
What was the Beach Boys first hit?
Surfin’ USA - 1963
What was the issue with Surfin USA
Rip off of the Chuck Berry song Sweet Little Sixteen
Who was the creative force behind the Beach Boys
Brian Wilson
What production qualities did Brian Wilson bring to the Beach Boys
Well orchestrated background vocals, harmony with vocal leading. Sole producer for the band, creative force with extremely innovative techniques
What is an example of Brian Wilson’s creative force
Good Vibrations - 1966
What instruments are featured in Good Vibrations
Tack piano, early synth, electric cello
What happens to Brian Wilson
Extremely stable due to drugs, depression and anxiety. Leads to him not leaving bed for 2 years
When do the Beach Boys lose popularity
Throughout the 1960s due to Brian’s illness and changing pop styles
