Professional Documents
Culture Documents
INTRODUCTION
Rock and Roll started after the year 1955 with its roots being in
Blues,
Gospel, and Jazz. This influenced vocal music, which was popular with
the
African American population. Hep Harmony which added rhythm and
harmony was
sung by groups such as The "Mills Brothers" and the "Ink Spots".
In the mid 50's, Chuck Berry and Little Richard were popular and
changed
the face of music, which was named rock and roll by the D.J.'s.
1956-1962
Love ballads also became more popular, with the musical audience
looking
for sentimental and honest expression. This turned some of the more
popular
music from rock to folk ballads. Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, and Peter,
Paul, and
Mary were the more popular folk singers.
1963-1969
During this period, the Beatles became the most popular band of
the
1960's. In the 1950's, the Beatles were also known as Johnny and the
Moondogs
and then the Moonshiners. They first became known as the Silver
Beatles. They
brought about the renewal of rock and roll, starting in Liverpool,
England.
John Lennon (10/9/40-12/8/80), led the Beatles as the lead singer and
songwriter. Also writing the songs for the Beatles was Paul McCartney
(6/18/42-
present). George Harrison (2/25/43-present) added to the sounds of the
Beatles.
In 1962, Ringo Starr (7/7/40-present) became the drummer for the band.
They
were now known as The Beatles, (the Fab Four).
Their first song "Love Me Do" was recorded in 1962, after Ringo
joined
the band. In 1964, the Beatles 'invaded' the United States, by bringing
their
music here and driving the crowds wild. The Beatles bridged the
generation gap
and language barriers. They were trend setters, with their style of
dress and
hair changing the face of the young people. They also influenced the
use of
hallucinogenic drugs, Indian music, and Eastern mysticism.
The Stones were number one on both sides of the Atlantic, with
their hit
"Satisfaction" in 1965. The Stones put out more than 35 albums. Many
of their
lyrics covered taboo subjects ( for their time), such as sex and drugs.
In the
1980's, thier image mellowed and they went on to other endeavors. In
1985,
Jagger recorded a solo album, "She's The Boss". Following this album,
he did a
hit remake with David Bowie of "Dancing in the Streets". The Stones
reunited
in 1989, for a 4 month, 40 city tour, which was seen by over 3 million
people.
They rolled in over 70 million dollars from ticket and merchandise
sales.
Motown became popular during the late 60's with the emergence of
female
singers such as Diana Ross and the Supremes. Other Motown singers such
as the
Temptations used dance and music together to enhance their popularity.
Stevie
Wonder was also another Motown great. This started the trend of soul
music.
During the 1960's hippies, drugs (LSD and Acid), and protests
filled the
air of this time. Groups such as The Mamas and The Papas, Country Joe
and the
Fish, Jefferson Airplane, and the Greatful Dead were influenced by
these trends.
The Woodstock Festival that took place in August 1969, showed
that by
this time that music was an important element in the life of America's
youth.
This brought about a whole different look at the music industry.
1970-1979
Other styles emerging in the 70's were punk rock, bubble gum
music, and
heavy metal rock which continued the hallucinogenic approach of acid
rock, but
using loud volume, electronic distortion, and vulgar stage antics.
Some bands
expressing these feelings were Kiss, Alice Cooper, Led Zeppelin.
SUMMARY
There were many other bands not mentioned in this report that
influenced
music in the 60's, 70's, and the 80's. Some of these bands include
Pink Floyd,
The Doors, Eagles, Genesis, CSNY (Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young), The
Monkees,
Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Chicago, Fleetwood Mac, Jackson Browne,
Michael
Jackson, and many others.
Rock and Roll has been an important part of young peoples lives
for
decades and decades to come. Music is a way of expression for some and
a way
of relaxing for others.