Rock And Roll Research Paper

In 1951, Cleveland radio disc jockey Alan Freed sparked the three word phrase ‘Rock and Roll’. But whatever you call this genre of music, it took the world by storm, and changed the face of music, and history forever.

It is universally believed that rock and roll music was born in the 50’s, however, its origins start long before. Rock and Roll has many deep seeded roots in both the blues and gospel music. While most would agree, that this type of music first started coming to fruition in the south, it found its way up north during the great migration, as blacks started moving out of the south, and moving farther and farther north. As people started moving, music did too.

At the time, radio wasn’t just a popular form of entertainment. It

Rock and Roll came steamrolling into a ‘Leave it to Beaver’ world, and not everyone was happy about it. It was called ‘the devils music’, and banned on many radio stations, and other venues in the country. When people like Elvis Presley came on the scene, rock and roll exploded. And so did many of its detractors. Calling him ‘Elvis the Pelvis’ for the way he danced while performing, there were many who called him vulgar. He was so controversial, that his TV performances were censored, and he was only filmed from the waist up. Even politicians had opinions. Congressman Emanuel Celler stated that “Rock n' roll has its place, among the colored people. The bad taste that is exemplified by the Elvis Presley 'Hound Dog' music, with his animal gyrations which are certainly most distasteful to me, are violative of all that I know to be in good taste." Organizations such as the North Alabama White Citizens Council took a stand against the genre, as well. The groups secretary, Asa Carter stated “Rock and roll is the basic heavy beat music of negroes. It appeals to the base in man and brings out animalism and

Society in general was becoming more mobile, so people were taking their lifestyles, ideas, and music with them to all parts, all over the country. The cowboy films and westerns of the 1930’s and 40’s did much to spread the popularity of country music as well. Additionally, country music was played on radio stations around the country, as well as armed services radio. While there was no one who opposed the playing of country music, it did have to continually fight for airplay on radio stations around the country. Many stations were playing the more popular music of the day, such as big band, and swing, and country music was continuing to evolve into differing sub-genres such as bluegrass and