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Questions and Answers
What decade did Rock and Roll first emerge?
1950s
Which genres influenced the emergence of Rock and Roll?
Rhythm and blues, blues, country, jazz, folk, and gospel
Rock and Roll was initially popular among white audiences in the 1950s.
False
Who was the disc jockey that started the Memphis Recording Service?
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Bill Haley's hit '___, ___, and Roll' helped make 'rock' part of the national language.
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What was Elvis Presley's title for his number 1 R&B single in 1956?
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Which of these songs was NOT released by Elvis in 1957?
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Bill Haley's version of 'Shake, Rattle, and Roll' retained the original lyrics.
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Study Notes
Roots of Rock & Roll
- Rock and roll emerged in the 1950s.
- Heavily influenced by African-American music, particularly rhythm and blues (R&B).
- Blues, country, jazz, folk, and gospel also influenced the genre.
- White musicians sped up the tempo and introduced a faster pace, catering to young audiences.
- Early rock and roll music featured saxophone and piano, but the electric guitar later gained prominence.
- Chuck Berry played a pivotal role in popularizing the electric guitar in rock and roll.
Popularisation of Rock & Roll
- African-Americans had been playing rock and roll for years but remained unknown to white audiences due to radio segregation.
- “Race records” aimed at black audiences were rarely played on white radio stations.
- Rock and roll gained popularity across racial lines in the mid-1950s.
- White teens secretly listened to black radio stations to hear the new sound.
- White radio stations, facing competition from television, were open to playing non-mainstream music, including emerging rock and roll artists.
- Covers of black artists' songs by white singers contributed significantly to rock and roll's popularity among white listeners.
Bill Haley and the Comets
- Their style blended Western swing, boogie-woogie, and R&B.
- Found success with R&B covers like "Shake, Rattle, and Roll” (originally by Big Joe Turner) in 1954.
- Their 1955 hit "Rock Around the Clock" popularized the term "rock" in the national lexicon.
Major Label Practices in the Early 1950s
- Major labels re-recorded minor hits from smaller companies.
- These re-recordings became smash hits by altering potentially offensive lyrics and targeting white middle America.
- For example, Bill Haley’s re-recording of "Shake, Rattle and Roll" softened the original lyrics, removing potentially provocative lines.
- Major labels hired attractive male teen idols and meticulously crafted songs for a mainstream white audience.
Famous Covers
- White artists often recorded covers of popular black artists' songs, contributing to rock and roll's crossover popularity.
Sam Phillips
- Founded the Memphis Recording Service in 1950, later renamed Sun Records.
- Recorded black R&B artists like Bobby "Blue" Bland, Howlin' Wolf, B.B. King, and Rufus "Hound Dog" Thomas.
- Believed his black artists lacked the potential to break into the white mainstream market.
- Searched for a white artist who could deliver the raw energy and excitement of his black artists.
Elvis Conquers the Charts
- In 1956, Elvis topped both the country and R&B charts with "I Forgot to Remember to Forget" and "Heartbreak Hotel" respectively.
- He also hit #1 on the pop charts with "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You."
- In 1957, he released a string of hits including "Hound Dog," "Don't Be Cruel," "Love Me Tender," "Jailhouse Rock," "All Shook Up," and "Teddy Bear."
Elvis Conquers Hollywood
- Elvis starred in 31 motion pictures, starting with "Love Me Tender" in 1956.
- Notable films include "Jailhouse Rock" (1957), "King Creole" (1958), "Flaming Star" (1960), "Blue Hawaii" (1961), and "Viva Las Vegas" (1964).
Quotes about Elvis
- A popular quote about Elvis is “Elvis was the only man from Northeast Mississippi who could shake his hips and still be loved by rednecks, cops, and hippies.” - Jimmy Buffett.
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