Unit 11 Flashcards
When did rock and roll begin?
The term dates back to the 1920s- it was originally used as a euphemism for sex
Teen subculture in the 1950s
Teens in the 1950s had more money and more leisure time than teens of previous decades, and they were able to put their money where their tastes were. Parents were horrified by rock and roll, which sounded “crude” compared to pop music at the time. Some songs were blatantly sexual and performers looked and acted differently. Rock and roll and rhythm blues symbolized teens’ rebellious attitude and defined the boundary between teens and adults.
Alan Freed
Freed was a DJ that refused to play white covers of black songs. He began to use “rock and roll” as code for rhythm and blues, and the music began to gain a white audience and white performers. He was white
Bill Haley
“Rock around the clock” became one of the first big rock and roll hits when it was used as a soundtrack for a movie about juvenile delinquents. He was white.
Rockabilly
a country take on rhythm and blues, performed mainly by white southerners, that combined elements of country music with rock and roll. Rockabilly was most popular in the midfifties.
It was not confined to the south, however. Many of Elvis’ songs were rockabilly
“Rock Around the Clock”
Bill Haley. It was one of the first hits associated with rock and roll. The track had a different sound for pop, but we would consider it rockabilly in retrospect. The song used lighthearted lyrics and music, and used a rhythm section with guitar and drums.
Elvis Presley
One of the first rock and roll stars. He projected a rebellious attitude and had a lack of inhibition during performance compared to white pop artists. This was very appealing to teens, and by refusing to tone down his style he gave rock and roll a sound and look. He was known for being able to emulate any style and sound like himself- he had a very distinct voice.
How long did Elvis’ career last?
The most significant part lasted from 1955-1958. When Elvis returned from the army, he was out of step with 1960s rock and rhythm and blues. However, he was considered king of rock and roll in the 1950s (although the majority of his songs were rockabilly.
What did Elvis contribute to rock history?
He brought a fresh look, attitude, and sound to popular music. No white performer had been so uninhibited before, and he gave rock and roll its most memorable visual images.
Elvis brought a new vocal sound into popular music, but he didn’t write his own songs or use the rock and roll rhythm and sound used by late 1950s and early 1960s bands.
What was the distinction between rock and roll and rhythm and blues in the late 1950s?
The majority of rock and roll artists were white and the majority of rhythm and blues artists were black. However, rhythm and blues used shuffle rhythms and rock and roll songs used a more active rhythm (built by little Richard and Chuck Berry).
Little Richard
African American rock and roll artist most popular between 1955-1958, he relied heavily on blues form. “Tutti Frutti” was one of his hits.
What caused the changes in Little Richard’s music?
His backup band. Originally, the band had a rhythm and blues style, such as with “Tutti Frutti”. The style switches to rock later on. The heavy bass line, locked in beat, and slower tempo forecast 1960s rock. We listen more to Little Richard’s voice than to the lyrics
What was Little Richard’s legacy to rock?
His music was loud and he had percussive vocals- he gave a new “outrageous” spirit to rock and roll. He was also black and openly gay, which was very unusual at the time. He was considered somewhat responsible for the new beat of rock and roll.
Chuck Berry
Crafted the rhythm that would lead to rock more than any other 1950s musician. “Maybellene” was his first big hit, also wrote “Johnny B. Goode”. He was black.
What were Chuck Berry’s instrumental contributions to rock? (2)
- Provided the first model for lead guitar playing- repeated notes made the rhythm insistent, double notes gave it density
- The first definitive rock rhythm guitar style- the beat is divided into two equal parts
Overdubbing
The process of recording an additional part onto an existing recording. Chuck Berry used this technique for guitar parts- it was breakthrough and a key rock and roll sound.
Obbligato
A second melody playing under the main melody. Berry used this for piano to create a dense texture
How did Berry’s influence and appeal go beyond his instrumental contributions?
The lyrics of his songs captured the newly emerging teen spirit “Sweet Little Sixteen”, “School Days”, etc. His music defined the core elements setting rock apart from pop, country, and rhythm and blues
How was Chuck Berry so popular among white teens?
Probably because his lyrics are detached and humorous- he deflects focus away from himself even when he is the focus of the song.
What 3 influences on rock and roll do we hear come together in “Johnny B. Goode”?
- Electric blues- instrumentation, thick texture, prominent guitar
- Boogie-woogie- 8 beat rhythm
- Upbeat rhythm and blues- blues based verse/chorus form and heavy backbeat
Which of Berry’s features were new elements in “Johnny B. Goode”?
Berry’s guitar breaks and solos, his lyrics were also the first to discuss teen life- they were humorous and skillful.
What genre did Berry’s style contribute to?
The surfing songs of the late 1950s and early 1960s. He was often covered by the creators of rock
During what years did rock and roll develop an identity (not just as a new label for an existing sound)?
1954-1956. It represented new looks (Elvis, Chuck Berry, and Little Richard) and in the music of rockabillies (Bill Haley, Elvis), white cover acts (Pat Boone), black crossover groups like doo wop groups and Fats Domino, and the rock defining sounds of Chuck Berry and Little Richard
