ROCK-N-ROLL 1954 – 1959
GENERAL
-Marginal Styles begin to dominate center
oR&B/Country significant on mainstream
-Vitality of Am Economy lead to increase in record sales and record player sales
-Independent labels reemerge(were wiped out by depression)
-Common misconceptions about Rock-n-Roll
oRock and Roll not a “new” style
oNot a single style of music
oNot the first time music is marketed to a youth audience
oNot first form to integrate black and white musical styles
o“Rock-n-Roll” is a marketing term like “TPA,” “Hillbilly,” etc
-Rock-n-Roll music
oBecame a defining characteristic for a generation
oWith TV and Film, played essential role in inventing the teenager as a
commercial and cultural identity
oFacilitated marketing a from racial/regional to generational
oMade use of the “cover” (re-recording of a ) song
Often involves adapting song’s style
In 1950’s, white performers often covered black artists
NON-PERFORERS
-Alan Freed
oInvented term “Rock-n-Roll”
Used for promotional purposes
Term originally had sexual connotations
oPromoted both black bands playing to an integrated audience
oCareer destroyed by “Payola” scandal
SONGWRITERS AND PRODUCERS
oIncreasing number of performers don’t write their own songs
oRole of the producer becomes more important
Responsible for characteristic “sound” of the recording
Lieber and Stoller: important songwriting/producing team
Wrote many hits for bands like the Coasters and Elvis
EARLY ROCK-N-ROLL/R&B
-CHUCK BERRY
oCelebrated teenage culture
oGreatest Rock-n-Roll influence on musicians
Clever lyrics and quality songwriter
Fine vocalist/Pioneering guitarist
-LITTLE RICHARD
oKnown for visual flamboyance
oAppeared in movies (cross marketing)
oSexually ambiguous identity
oFalsetto singing, uptempo songs, Boogie Woogie influenced piano style
