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Rock and Roll first emerged in the 1950s.
True
In the 1920s and 1930s, white Americans generally accepted music performed by black artists.
False
Electric guitar became more prevalent in early Rock and Roll music.
True
White radio stations played 'race records' frequently.
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The tempo of Rock and Roll was slowed down when it was performed by white musicians.
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White teens secretly tuned in to black radio stations to hear new music.
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African-Americans had been playing Rock and Roll for many years before it became popular with white audiences.
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Cover songs by white singers contributed to the popularity of Rock and Roll.
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Bill Haley and the Comets combined Western swing, boogie-woogie, and R&B styles.
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Shake, Rattle, and Roll was originally a song by Elvis Presley.
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Major labels in the early 1950s re-recorded minor hits to make them more appealing to white middle America.
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Sam Phillips founded Sun Records in 1950.
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Elvis Presley had the #1 R&B single with the song 'Heartbreak Hotel'.
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Bill Haley’s version of Shake, Rattle, and Roll retains the original lyrics of Big Joe Turner.
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Elvis Presley achieved the top spots in all three music charts simultaneously in 1956.
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Sam Phillips was not concerned about the success of black artists in the music industry.
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Elvis released the single 'Hound Dog' in 1957.
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Elvis Presley made 20 motion pictures during his career.
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Rockabilly is a combination of country and R&B with a greater emphasis on country elements.
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Buddy Holly was born in Nashville, Tennessee.
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Jerry Lee Lewis is known for his unique piano-driven sound, similar to Little Richard.
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'That’ll Be The Day' was a hit record released by Elvis Presley.
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Elvis was a significant influence on Buddy Holly's vocal style.
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'Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On' was recorded by Buddy Holly.
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Chuck Berry's song 'Maybellene' reached #5 on the pop charts and #1 on the R&B charts.
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Chuck Berry influenced only country artists like Jimi Hendrix.
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In 1960, Chuck Berry regained his popularity after being arrested.
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Major labels in rock and roll primarily targeted young teenage audiences.
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American Bandstand first aired in 1960.
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The image projected by American Bandstand was intended to be safe and appealing to adults.
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Chuck Berry was sentenced to 5 years in prison, which was later reduced to 4 years.
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Teen idols in rock and roll were often manufactured by major labels.
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Rock music is often considered unwholesome and obscene.
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Elvis Presley was drafted into the army during the decline of rock 'n' roll.
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Chuck Berry's career flourished without interruptions.
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The payola scandal involved radio DJs accepting cash for airplay.
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Buddy Holly was involved in a plane accident that resulted in his death.
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The decline of rock music was solely due to the artists losing interest.
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The Congressional committee investigated the music industry for corruption related to payola.
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Rock music encourages segregation among different racial groups.
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Study Notes
Roots of Rock and Roll
- Rock and Roll emerged in the 1950s influenced by African-American music, specifically rhythm and blues (R&B).
- Blues, country, jazz, folk, and gospel also played a role in shaping the genre.
- White musicians sped up the tempo of R&B, creating a faster pace that appealed to young audiences.
- Early rock and roll music featured saxophone and piano, with the electric guitar gaining prominence later.
Popularization of Rock and Roll
- The genre crossed racial boundaries in the mid-1950s, becoming wildly popular among white audiences.
- This was partly due to white teenagers listening to black radio stations to hear the new sound.
- White radio networks were more willing to play rock and roll artists due to competition from television.
- White singers covering previously released black songs contributed to the genre's popularity among white audiences.
Bill Haley and the Comets
- Their style combined Western swing, boogie-woogie, and R&B.
- They gained success with R&B covers, like "Shake, Rattle, and Roll" (originally by Big Joe Turner).
- Their song "Rock Around the Clock" helped solidify "rock" in the national language.
Major Label Recording Practices
- Major labels in the early 1950s re-recorded minor hits from smaller companies.
- They sanitized these songs, targeting white middle America by changing potentially offensive lyrics, as seen with "Shake, Rattle, and Roll".
- They hired attractive male teen idols to perform these songs, further shaping the genre's image.
- They designed and marketed songs for a mainstream white audience, catering to specific tastes.
Sam Phillips
- Founder of Sun Records, he recorded prominently black R&B artists in the 1950s.
- He felt black artists faced limitations in reaching a broader audience and sought a white artist who could deliver the same energy and excitement.
Elvis Presley's Rise
- Elvis Presley achieved immense success in 1956 with chart-topping singles in country, R&B, and pop categories.
- His hit singles continued in 1957, solidifying his place as a musical icon.
Elvis in Hollywood
- He starred in numerous motion pictures throughout the 1950s and 1960s.
- His iconic "Jailhouse Rock" film further contributed to his fame.
Quotes about Elvis
- Elvis was seen as a unifying figure across different demographics by individuals like Jimmy Buffett.
- Bob Dylan praised Elvis as the primary figure of rock and roll and credited him for influencing his own music.
- Buddy Holly recognized Elvis' influence on the evolution of the genre.
Elvis' Major Influences
- Elvis' music was influenced by the cultural climate of Memphis, where country and R&B, black and white influences blended.
- He combined these varied styles, creating "rockabilly", a sub-genre of rock and roll.
Rockabilly
- It emerged as a fusion of country and R&B, with a stronger focus on country influences.
Buddy Holly
- He formed a Western swing band in high school and worked as a backing musician for Bill Haley.
- He modeled his vocal style after Elvis after meeting at gigs.
- His 1957 hit "That'll Be The Day" propelled his career, followed by a string of successful records with his band The Crickets.
- He tragically died in a plane crash in 1959, an event referred to as “The Day The Music Died”.
Jerry Lee Lewis
- He began playing piano at a young age and performed in church.
- He was primarily influenced by boogie-woogie piano and New Orleans R&B styles.
- He achieved fame with his unique piano-driven sound, often categorized as rockabilly, but having more similarities with Little Richard.
- He recorded "Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On" in 1957, known for his energetic performance.
- He earned the nickname "The Killer" for his flamboyant on-stage antics.
- He was arrested on questionable charges in 1960, impacting his career trajectory.
Chuck Berry
- His hit songs included "Roll Over, Beethoven", "School Days", "Johnny B. Goode", and "Sweet Little Sixteen".
- He influenced guitarists like Jimi Hendrix and Keith Richards.
- Legal issues in 1960 hampered his popularity, preventing him from regaining his earlier prominence.
Major Labels' Influence on Rock and Roll
- They covered rock and roll hits, creating a sanitized version for a broader audience.
- They mass-produced teen idols by creating "rock and rollers" with a clean-cut, white image.
- They hired songwriters to create songs specifically tailored to appeal to teenage audiences.
- They promoted specific dances associated with popular songs, further shaping the cultural landscape.
American Bandstand
- This television show, which ran from 1957 to 1989, showcased teens dancing to rock and roll music.
- It projected a clean-cut, safe, mostly white image of the genre to appeal to sponsors and adults.
- It launched the careers of teen idols and musicians while also creating dance crazes.
Reaction to Rock
- Rock and Roll faced substantial criticism for its perceived unwholesome, obscene, and morally corrupting qualities, especially its perceived contribution to racial integration.
- Critics dismissed the genre as primitive music with no artistic value.
The Teenage Menace in Film
- The rise of rock and roll and its impact on youth culture were reflected in movies exploring the theme of teenage rebellion.
Rock and Roll's Decline
- By the late 1950s and early 1960s, rock and roll's popularity declined.
- This was due to several factors, including:
- Major artists changing their musical styles or leaving the industry.
- The "payola scandal" where radio DJs were accused of accepting bribes in exchange for playing certain songs.
- The scandal ultimately led to congressional investigations and further fueled criticism against rock and roll.
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Description
Explore the origins and popularization of rock and roll music, focusing on its roots in African-American music genres such as rhythm and blues, blues, and gospel. Discover how the genre evolved in the 1950s and gained immense popularity among diverse audiences, and learn about key artists like Bill Haley and the Comets that shaped its early sound.
