Rock & Roll: The Evolution Of Rock And Roll

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The evolution of Rock and Roll is one of the greatest of all time when it comes to music. The genre came into light after World War II and started in America’s south, originated from African American music styles, such as: gospel, blues, and rhythm and blues (R&B); and continued to grow rapidly. In 1955, Chuck Berry – a pioneer of Rock and Roll – came about. He was known for his guitar riffs, energetic performances, blend of R&B and Country, as well as showmanship. This was the beginning of Rock and Roll rising as a genre. Not only did Chuck Berry help influence Rock and Roll, so did artists, such as: Little Richard and Jimmie Rodgers. In addition to the artists mentioned, Rock and Roll could not have come about at a better time, a time of …show more content…

One of these being “Rockabilly” which is commonly associated with artists such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis. Elvis Presley was one of the most successful artists in Rock music and is known as one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century, often referred to as the “King of Rock and Roll” or simply “the King”. While it is said that Rock and Roll declined after Elvis’ military drafting, the death of Buddy and The Crickets, and more, another genre quickly arose associated with Rock and Roll to make a lifelong …show more content…

In addition, the genre also played a large impact on culture. The lyrics of Rock and Roll songs described events and conflicts that most listeners could relate to through personal experience. Topics such as sex, which was known to be taboo, began to make their way into Rock and Roll lyrics. This new music broke boundaries and seemed to express emotions that people were feeling but had not talked about, appealing to the youth of the generations.
In addition to addressing topics not widely talked about, Rock and Roll addressed race. The genre involved both black and white performers, breaking even more boundaries. Rock and Roll appeared when racial tensions in the United States were entering a new phase, with the beginnings of the civil rights movement for desegregation. The coming together of white youth audiences and black music in Rock and Roll inevitably provoked strong white racist reactions within the US, with many believing it helped with

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