The History of Rock and Roll

They used many of the instruments that eventually were used in rock music. Guitars, drums, keyboards, and singing all led to people starting to play rock and roll music. Artists that became rock gods like Jimi Hendrix were influenced by soulful music played by earlier jazz groups. Blues was also one of the main genres that helped start rock. The blues, like jazz, used many of the same instruments that developed into the main formula in making the sound of rock music.

With this being a new genre of music, many new ideas were brought into the music world that had never been thought of. Rock music has many different subgroups that bands have made many strides in and many of the most popular bands will reach into multiple subgroups of rock and roll. The main subgenre that shaped rock and roll in the late 1960s and 1970s was acid rock or also called psychedelic rock. Rock music got its start with a mixture of gospel, jazz, blues and western country in the 1940s and 50s. At first, Rock and Roll was not liked by the older generation because they thought it was a way for teens to rebel.

As we take a journey through the 1950s, we will be able to understand the roots of Rock ‘n’ roll, famous idols, fashion sense the music created, and why rock ‘n roll has stirred up so much controversy during the fifties. Before we explore The Birth of rock ‘n’ Roll, we must first reflect on other sounds that influence this genre of music. Sounds from blues, country, jazz, and gospel music all played a huge role in the birth of rock ‘n’ roll. The creation of different genres of music mixed together created a loud, fast, liberating sound that primarily a... ... middle of paper ... ... White America was furious because of the emergence of rock and roll music. Parents would call radio stations to get disc jockeys to stop playing the rock and roll music, but this stunt affected the economy as well.

Rock and Roll has the most incredible history. Before there was rock and roll, there was blues. Most people think rock music started with Elvis Presley, but he didn’t record his first single until 1953. The first recorded song described as “Genuine Rock-and-Roll” was “Rocket ’88” by pianist Ike Turner and singer Jackie Brenston in 1951. Rock-and-Roll music in the 1950’s was described as a mixture of jazz, blues, country, and has a stronger guitar, bass, and drums.

Captain Beefheart and the Velvet Underground also created a different kind of rock music within rock music, a different paradigm within the new paradigm, one that will influence alternative musicians for decades. More than musical giants like Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix, humble musicians like Captain Beefheart, the Velvet Underground and the Red Crayola may be the true heroes of the 1960s. A black man named Chuck Berry started rock music in 1955. It was during a time when all the young people wanted Rhythm. The music industry began to realize that racial issues and prejudice wouldn’t change the fact the kids wanted blues and rock.

Rock & roll music rose out of the chaos and rebellion found in the 1960s. From the Civil Rights Movement, to Women’s Rights, and the Vietnam War, the 1960s was filled with protests, rallies, and concerts. The music reflected the young, rebellious attitude that grew throughout the decade. Rock & roll music originated in the 1950s, when Bo Diddley contributed to its success and evolution. He played a large role in finding the crossover from blues to rock & roll, inspiring many rock & roll acts.

Rock music has come a long way since its development in the early 20th century. The genre, defined “as a merger between rhythm&blues and country” (Scaruffi, The History of Rock Music:1955-1966), started out more as an underground market, but ended up becoming a significant aspect of American popular music history. Rock-n-Roll music produce many legendary artists who will for ever be known as innovators of the genre. Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry were some of the many artists in Rock-n-Roll who will always live on in their music.Many teenagers were also to identify it due to its rebellious nature their disapproval of the cold war. Towards the end of the 1950s, Rock-n-Roll was ending on a particularly bad note, with a brief decline: “Chuck berry was on the verge of being convicted for having transported a minor across state lines; Elvis was in the army; Little Richard had left popular music for the ministry, Jerry Lee Lewis had effectively been black listed for having married his 13 year old cousin, and Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and the Big Bopper had died in a plane crash.” (Bracket, Pg 131).

Beginnings Rock in its s earliest years, was rock and roll. Rock and roll, evolved in the fifties, from genres such rhythm and blues. It was brought forward with icons such as Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash, instantly sending them over the edge of popularity. It is said that rock and roll evolved from the music of African American musician, who began to add the electric guitar to their blues. However, as it began to slowly rise to fame, rock and roll was still in need of a white icon, which could make it more perceptible to the wider American audiences (Bennet, 2001).

Rock and roll is a popular genre because it’s been around since the 1950’s. But during the late sixties and early seventies, music turned dark, loud, and vulgar, threatening

Rockabilly was formed in the southern United States with its pioneers being the likes of Elvis, Bill Haley, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and many more. (Kaza). Rockabilly was said to have met its peak when Bill Haley and The Comets released the song “Rock Around The Clock” in 1955. This new style of music was not invented solely by Elvis but he was certainly one of the main poster boys for it. Elvis’ fusion of country music and rhythm and blues made him the most successful rocker of all, he brought forth the clearest fusion of black blues music into the newly formed genre of rock and roll (Clarke).