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In the Beginning . . .

In the Beginning . . . 1950’s Rock and Roll. Capsule view of the 1950’s . Peace, Prosperity and Patriotism Won World War II Standard of living rising Home ownership up Baby boom. View of the 1950’s cont. Strong patriotism Best country Strongest country

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In the Beginning . . .

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  1. In the Beginning . . . 1950’s Rock and Roll

  2. Capsule view of the 1950’s • Peace, Prosperity and Patriotism • Won World War II • Standard of living rising • Home ownership up • Baby boom

  3. View of the 1950’s cont. • Strong patriotism • Best country • Strongest country • Eisenhower seen as symbol (war hero / elected President) • Anti communist feelings

  4. Not all rosy within US society • HUAC (House Un-American Activities Committee) – Sen. Joe McCarthy • Cold War with Russia • Nuclear arms race / threat • Civil rights and segregation

  5. Some groups left out of the prosperity • Blacks – segregation, prejudice, unemployment • Lower class – unemployment, low standard of living • Teens

  6. “Young people occupied a distinctive place in postwar American life. The children of the postwar baby boom were becoming adolescents during the 1950’s, and in the process, a distinctive ‘teen’ subculture began to emerge. Living amid such a prosperous era, teenagers had more money and free time than any previous generation.” America: A Narrative History • George Brown Tindall & David E. Shi

  7. “Seems to me that white teenagers of the 40’s and 50’s helped launch black artists nationally” – Chuck Berry

  8. American youth in the 50’s • New class of “teenagers” • Free time • Money to spend • Developing own values • (this combination of factors opened the door for rock and roll to happen)

  9. People and Events • Race records • Black artists not allowed on major record labels (white) • Primarily R&B • Aimed at black audiences • Not allowed on “white” radio stations • Found market with white youth • Covered by white performers

  10. Alan Freed • White DJ in Cleveland • Began playing black R&B • Refused to play white covers • Coined the term “rock and roll” • Separated from racial links • Some thought decadent • Some thought communist plot • Some thought it was just junk

  11. People and events cont. • Bill Haley and the Comets • Combined white CW with black R&B • 1st to do this completely • Softened the often sexual lyrics of R&B (more acceptable with white audiences) • Elaborate stage routines (common with R&B but not white groups) • Rock-a-billy – music of early white rockers that came from C&W

  12. Key songs – “Shake, Rattle and Roll” – “Rock Around the Clock” • Did some movies (cameo roles) • 1st rock and roll song in movie • “Rock Around the Clock” • Blackboard Jungle (movie title) • Minor figure by late 50’s • Remained popular in England

  13. Chuck Berry • Born in St. Louis in 1926 • Lower middle class family • Recorded for Chess - a race label • Nat King Cole and Muddy Waters were idols • Muddy Waters suggested he get started with Chess Records (a race label)

  14. Identifying traits • Duck walk • Hot guitar – rare at this time • Clean and understated • 1st real guitar superstar • #6 on Rolling Stone “100 Greatest Guitarists” • Much C&W and hillbilly swing in the beginning • “Who’s that black hillbilly playing at theCosmo?”

  15. Influenced the Beatles, Stones, etc. • “. . . he taught George Harrison and Keith Richards to play guitar long before he met either . . “ • Key Songs • “Maybellene” (his first) • “Roll Over Beethoven”* • “Johnny B. Goode” • “My Ding-a-Ling” (“come back song” 1970) • “No Particular Place To Go”

  16. Troubles with the law • 1st degree robbery 1944 • Violation of the Mann Act 1959 • Trial marked with racism • Earned HS diploma while in prison • Tax evasion 1979

  17. Little Richard • Born in 1932, Macon Georgia • Richard Wayne Penniman • Never really liked R&B • Liked pop and jazz more • Recorded for Specialty Records – a race label

  18. Identifying traits • Wild performer / screamer • Piano • “Whooooooooo” in falsetto • Key Songs • “Tutti Frutti” • “Long Tall Sally”* • “Good Golly Miss Molly”

  19. Spotty career • Drug and alcohol problems • Lifestyles issues • In and out of music and ministry • Bible was main reading matter • Often quote scripture morning after parties

  20. Jerry Lee Lewis • Born in Louisiana in 1935 • Listened to country swing, rural blues • Influenced by piano boogies • Went to Memphis to Sun Records – Sam Phillips (just like Elvis) • Always seemed angry, chip on his shoulder

  21. Identifying traits • Wild performer / wild vocal style • Wild piano player (glissando, pound keys with hands and feet) • Key Songs • “Whole Lot of Shakin’ Goin’ On” • “Breathless” • “Great Balls of Fire”

  22. Tough act to follow • “I prefer not to follow Jerry Lee Lewis again” – Fats Domino

  23. Career problems • Married his 13 yr old cousin – Myra • Was third wife • Still married to 2nd wife • Married her while still married to 1st wife

  24. Blacklisted by radio stations and concert halls • Eventually went back to C&W to play small time gigs

  25. Buddy Holly • Born in Texas, 1936 • Quiet, unassuming kid • Had a “nerd” appearance • Started by playing country western • Influences • Hank Williams • Bill Monroe (bluegrass) • Went to rock and roll in 1956 • Buddy Holly and the Crickets

  26. Identifying traits • Played guitar (differently than Chuck Berry) • “hiccough” vocal style • Songs sounded different • Did not follow the R&B forms • Used background voices • Wrote his own music • One of the first white stars to rely on own songs

  27. Key Songs • “That’ll Be the Day” • “Words of Love” • “Peggy Sue”

  28. Died on Feb. 3, 1959 – plane crash (“The Day the Music Died”) • Plane was named “American Pie” • Inspiration for the Don McLean song • Two others died as well • Big Bopper • Ritchie Valens

  29. Elvis Presley • “The King of Rock and Roll” • Early years • Born in 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi • Poor family • Moved to Memphis in 1948 • Attended Hume High School • Predominantly black school

  30. Stage I (to 1958) • Formative years; establish stage presence • Sam Phillips • 1st manager • Ran Sun Records • 1st group – Western Wranglers • “If I could find a white man who had a Negro sound and a Negro feel, I could make a million dollars” – Sam Phillips

  31. Went from country to R&R • “That’s Alright Mama” • Cover of Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup • “accidentally” recorded during a break at a recording session at Sun

  32. (Stage I cont.) • “Heartbreak Hotel” – 1st#1 song 1956 • 1st TV appearance – 1956 • Lots of angry, horrified parents • Too sexy • Bought Graceland mansion - 1957 • Col. Tom Parker • 2nd manager; big time promoter • TV, movies, concerts, etc.

  33. The Army • Drafted 1958 • Cleaned up public image • Role model; parental approval • Met future wife, Priscilla Beaulieu • Sent her back to Graceland to wait for wedding

  34. Stage II (1960 – 1965) • Movie years (29) • Watered-down Elvis • Only movie music • Col. Parker controlled career • Pushed movies • Wanted more middle class entertainer

  35. Stage III (1965 – 1977) • Popularity dwindled, except for faithful • Manufactured show-biz look • Las Vegas years • 1968 “Comeback Special” • Hour NBC special in December • Parker wanted Christmas show • Elvis wanted R&R • Died August 16, 1977 • Weight and drugs

  36. Elvis Legacy • 400 million records sold • 45 gold records • “You Ain’t Nothin’ But a Hound Dog” • “Love Me Tender” • “Jailhouse Rock” • “Don’t Be Cruel • “All Shook Up”

  37. 1950’s “Immortals” (from Rolling Stone) • Elvis Presley #3 • Chuck Berry #5 • Little Richard #8 • Buddy Holly #13 • Jerry Lee Lewis #24

  38. 1950’s Immortals influenced the next generation of rock and roll, e.g. • Songs covered by The Beatles • “Roll Over Beethoven” - Chuck Berry • “Long Tall Sally” - Little Richard • “Words of Love” - Buddy Holly

  39. Summary of late 50’s R & R • Four characteristics • Simple, understandable emotional level • Represents 1950’s optimism • Commonly understood communication • Not sad or depressing (happy music)

  40. Summary cont. • Four types of rock and roll developed • Shouters – up tempo, R&B oriented • Crooners – smooth ballads, white teen idols, not R&B • Specialty songs – associated with dances • Novelty songs – comedy, “monsters”

  41. Changing face of 50’s R&R • Shift from rural to urban • Settled back into pop sound • More white influence than black • Broader audience appeal • Financial success

  42. Other 50’s rocker “Immortals” • Ray Charles #10 • Bo Diddley #20 • Fats Domino #25 • Johnny Cash #31 • Roy Orbison #37

  43. Fats Domino • Born in New Orleans in 1928 • Antoine Domino • Most consistent of all the early rockers • Not a sex symbol • Did not threaten the established order • Long career • Stayed out of trouble • Stayed healthy • 65 million records in 20 years (only Beatles and Elvis sold more)

  44. Identifying traits • Piano – chunky, boogie-woogie • Warm vocal style (did not shout & scream) • Lacked flash of other rockers • “Modern equivalent of a Bessie Smith”

  45. Key songs • “Blueberry Hill” • “I’m Walkin’” • “Ain’t That a Shame”

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