The Evolution of Rock and Roll Music in the 1950s and 1960s, Exams of History of Music

Download The Evolution of Rock and Roll Music in the 1950s and 1960s and more Exams History of Music in PDF only on Docsity! History of Rock and Roll Exam 1 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS Rocket 88 - ANSWER considered to be the first "real" rock recording. recorded by Ike Turner's Rhythm Kings (wasn't very popular) Rock and Roll era began... - ANSWER 1950s ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK - BILL HALEY AND THE COMETS - ANSWER First rock record to hit No. 1 on the pop charts What was happening in the 50s? - ANSWER - Baby boomers (1946-1964) were teenagers during the 1950s. They spent money on records for enjoyment; rebelled against their parent's taste in music. Main supporters of early rock n' roll Tin Pan Alley - ANSWER the name given to the collection of New York City-centered music publishers and songwriters who dominated the popular music of the United States in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Located on 28th Street between Broadway and 6th Avenue TPA Publishers - ANSWER professional songwriters that usually wrote songs for Broadway and Movies TPA songs - ANSWER sentimental lyrics / memorable melodies / simple rhythms / moderate tempos / sophisticated harmonies & complex song forms -mainstream pop in the early 1950s; music of the white middle class adults. - 32 bar AABA format 32-bar AABA form - ANSWER (A) main melody is performed twice, then (B) a bridge section is played followed by a return of the main melody (A). -Each section is 8 bars long with a total of 4 sections. Crooners - ANSWER sang sentimental ballads accompanied by lush orchestra and jazz bands. -Singers dressed in formal wear -had physically and emotionally restrained performances - Whisper singing -Developed after the introduction of the electric microphone Novelty Songs - ANSWER Dean Martin- " That's Amore" Patti Page- "How much is that Doggy in the Window". - nonsensical songs performed for comical effect. - aimed at middle class white adults. -rejected by teens Pop Crooners - ANSWER Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Perry Como. - late 1920s to the early 1950s - also multimedia stars in the 50s and 60s (Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby). Record Industry - ANSWER -ran by old white men of upper middle class. -main audience was adult middle class suburbanites. - sought steady profits with manageable flow of recordings. -predictable 2 month chart run -sales dropped tremendously during The Great Depression record companies - ANSWER 5 major record labels- RCA Victor, Columbia, Capital, Mercury, and Decca. -released 42 of the top 50 best selling discs in 1956. -"rock n' roll" started a revolution in the music business. - missed initial blast of rock music (teen market) Country Western Songs - ANSWER -words were more important than the music itself. -lyrics usually were nostalgic stories about family, home, and the good ole days. -also had sad songs about hardships and lost loved ones. -singers had a nasal twang to their voice -plain melodies, basic chords, straightforward rhythms and simple forms -usually played by small ensembles with acoustic string instruments Country Western Music - ANSWER -had many styles- country crooners, honky-tonk, cowboy songs, western swing, and bluegrass. -honky tonk influenced early rock (songs about real life problems like drinking hard and chasing romance). Performers were Hank Williams Sr, Hank Thompson and others. Played for rowdy crowds Hank Williams Sr. (1923-1953) - ANSWER legendary country western singer and songwriter -lived short life as a rambler -wrote and recorded many songs that follow the CW standards. -"Hey Good Lookin" Hey Good Lookin - ANSWER -words and music by Hank Williams Sr. -performed by Hank Williams Sr. for MGM records in 1951 -AABA from consisted of vocals, acoustic guitar, steel guitar, fiddle, and bass -instrumental break- steel guitarist plays A parts while fiddle player plays the B parts Early Rock - ANSWER Broke down separation between Pop, R&B and C&W / not clear-cut market category / viewed as "teen music" -young artists portrayed rebellious teenagers and juvenile delinquents in movies -teen films popularized early rock to youths across America Alan Freed (1922-1965) - ANSWER popular radio DJ in Cleveland and NYC who promoted R&B and early rock to white teens -He popularized the term "Rock n' Roll" Bill Haley and the Comets - ANSWER Bill Haley was a singer and guitarist that mixed Country Western with R&B. -Born in Detroit raised near Philly. -started career as a country yodeler for Western Swing -released first rock records to reach top of pop charts -had hits such as "Shake Rattle and Roll", "Rock Around the Clock" and "See you later Alligator" Shake, Rattle, and Roll - ANSWER -cover of the original recording by Big Joe Turner by Bill Haley and the Comets. (changed Big Joe's lyrics and made it more appropriate). -words and music by Jesse Stone -performed by Bill Haley and the Comets for Decca Records in 1954 -12 bar blues form with chorus -consisted of vocals, steel guitar, bass, piano, drums, and saxophone. Rockabilly - ANSWER -country western influence of rock -known as Hillbilly rock -produced first rock n' roll records to reach top of the pop charts -used southern vocal twang to sing 12 bar blues form; backed up by CW string bands and R&B instruments -performers- Buddy Holly, Johnny Cash, Conway Twitty, and more. -Carl Perkins "Blue Suede Shoes" -first realization of this music by Elvis Presley for Sun Records in Memphis. Sun records became the home of rockabilly Elvis Presley (1935-1977) childhood - ANSWER -grew up in a poor white family in Tupelo, Mississippi -first performance at the age of 10 -family moved to Memphis in 1948 where he went to Humes Highschool -bought flashy clothes and attended all night singings of white gospel groups. influenced by gospel singer Jim Wetherington (fancy moves) -worked as a truck driver right out of high school Elvis Presley's beginning of his career - ANSWER -made a test record as a gift for his mom at Memphis Recording Service ran by Sam Phillips owner of Sun records. Where he kept persuading Phillips to give him a chance at recording a real record. -teamed up with guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black. Trio went to studio July 5, -recorded blues song by Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup in 1946 and also recorded Bill Monroe's "Blue Moon of Kentucky" where he sped up the tempo of the song. Blue Moon of Kentucky - ANSWER -words and music by Bill Monroe -performed by Elvis Presley for Sun Records in 1954 -music in AABA form -consisted of vocals, acoustic guitar, acoustic bass and electric guitar. Mississippi Delta Blues - ANSWER -oldest form of country blues. -region along the Mississippi river between Memphis and Vicksburg. -large cotton growing plantations where many enslaved black laborers worked. -consisted of moaning vocals and rhythmic acoustic guitar or bottleneck slide. Musicians usually performed alone. Bottle neck slide technique - ANSWER style that mimicked the sound of crying vocals. -bottle neck or metal tube that slipped around the finger and ran along the strings of the guitar. -Son House " Death Letter Blues" and "Hey Hey" by Big Bill Broonzy 12-bar blues form - ANSWER a common l form in which the harmonic sequence includes primarily the I (fonic), IV(sub-dominant) and V(dominant) chords. -Every four beats is a bar. First line is sung over the next four bars, and the last line is sung over the final four bars. Robert Johnson (1911-1938) - ANSWER -A Delta blues singer and guitarist from Hazelhurst, MI who supposedly sold his soul to the Devil for his musical abilities. -performed at R&B clubs in St. Louis -Traveled to Chicago to be a part of Chess Records. Recommended by Muddy Waters -released first record hit "Maybelline" on Chess Records -also reworked country song "Ida Red" -DJ Alan Reed collected songwriter's royalties -Had Hits "Rollover Beethoven, Sweet Little Sixteen, and Johnny B. Goode" all 12 bar blues celebrates Rock Johnny B. Goode - ANSWER -interplay between his vocals and lead guitar -words and music by Chuck Berry -recorded by Chuck Berry for Chess Records in 1957 -12 bar blues form with chorus and stop time -consisted of vocals, electric guitar, piano, electric bass, and drums Chuck Berry end of his career - ANSWER -convicted of violating The Mann Act in 1959, served half of his 3 year sentence -started recording again in 1963 -his songs were covered by British Invasion and Surf Rock -had more hits like "No Particular Place to Go" and "My Ding-a-Ling" in 1972. Which was his only No. 1 hit Little Richard early career - ANSWER -real name Richard Wayne Penniman who was a singer and pianist. -most flamboyant rock n' roll performer -charismatic preaching and gospel singing from Pentecostal church -shouting vocals and flashy image -he symbolized the wild side of early rock -unliked by white middle class suburban parents -worked with producer Robert "Bumps" Blackwell of Specialty Records Little Richard fame - ANSWER -Bumps took him to J&M studios in New Orleans where he recorded with Fat Domino's Band -First hit "Tutti Frutti" other hits were "Long Tall Sally" "The Girl Can't Help It" and "Good Golly Miss Molly" -end of the 50s he quit show business and enrolled in Bible school and then became a minister and recorded gospel music -made concert tours in Great Britain in 1962, comeback revived his popularity in Europe -never reached the top charts in the U.S Tutti Frutti - ANSWER -features boogie boogie piano -openning vocals imitate drums -words and music by Richard Penniman and Robert Blackwell -recorded by Little Richard for Specialty Records in 1957 -12 bar blues form with chorus, AABA form, stop time -vocals, piano, saxophone, guitar, acoustic bass, and drums Rock N' Roll Break - ANSWER -ended in late 50s; Rock stars had careers ended or curtailed -Elvis was drafted, Chuck Berry went to Prison, Little Richard went to Bible College, Jerry Lee Lewis married his 13 year old cousin, Carl Perkins injured in car crash, Buddy Holly died in plane crash. Gospel's influence on pop and early soul - ANSWER -African Americans created new gospel influenced pop in the mid 1950s -labeled "soul music" in early 1960s -Gospel and Pop separated in Black community Ray Charles (1930-2004) - ANSWER -mixed R&B and Jazz with Gospel -modified Church hymn by adding secular lyrics -first No. 1 hit " I Got a Woman" (1954) -He had a crossover success with pop and country records -audience consisted of mostly adults Sam Cooke (1931-1964) - ANSWER -pop singer and songwriter -Born in Clarksdale, Mississippi but raised in Chicago by a religious family -started his music career in Gospel -joined pioneering gospel quartet Soul Stirrers -Made records on Specialty Records with producer "Bumps" -Bumps made Cooke a pop star Sam Cooke goes pop - ANSWER - recorded "Lovable" a remake of his Gospel song "Wonderful" -Cooke and Blackwell left Specialty Records and signed with Keen -Released "You Send Me" which became No. 1 on the pop charts -then signed with RCA Victor and released hits " Twistin the Night Away, and Wonderful World" You Send Me - ANSWER -word and music by Sam Cooke -recorded by Sam Cooke for Keen Records in 1958 -AABA form, melisma, and vocables -vocals, guitar, bass, and drums Sam Cooke's influence on Civil Rights - ANSWER -broke racial barriers in the music business -founded record and publishing companies and talent management firm -broke down the barrier between Gospel and Pop -Cooke shot and killed by motel manager in 1964 -"A Change is Gonna Come" became civil rights anthem Soft Rock - ANSWER -pop music with broad commercial appeal -aimed at pre-teen and teenage listeners -sentimental TPA style songs with romantic lyrics -performed by teen idols who were young attractive teens -audience were young teens Da Doo Ron Ron - ANSWER -words and music by Phil Spector, Jeff Barrie, and Ellie Greenwhich -recorded by The Crystals for Phillies Records in 1963 -AABA form/ vocables "Wall of Sound" -vocals, piano, drums, guitar, bass Phil Spector - ANSWER -legendary record producer. He hand picked singers, musicians, songwriters, arrangers and sound engineers -achieved his own distinctive sound on every record he produced -Worked with girl groups such as The Crystals, Ronnie and the Ronnetes, The Blossoms, also worked with Rockstars Beatles, Righteous Brothers, Tina Turner and the Ramones -opened his own record label "Phil Spector Records"- producer outshined performers, he was the first record producer to be known to the general public Phil Spector's start - ANSWER -wrote and performed his No.1 hit "To Know Him is to Love Him" with his band The Teddy Bears in 1957 -shifted his focus to record producing after that; wanted power over what happens to his recordings -Formed Phillies Record with Lester Still his mentor in 1961 -worked very hard on each record he put out, only released records he knew would be a hit -produced "Teenage Symphonies"- where he came up with Wall of Sound- a mesh sounds of instruments together that was dense but clear and unified Development of Surf Music - ANSWER -California was reshaped by post WWII and population more than doubled 7 to 16 million in 1960 -highly promoted by film as a paradise -celebrated care free lifestyle Surf Music - ANSWER -first rock style to evolve on the West coast -highly influenced by Chuck Berry -dominated by electric guitars -Dick Dale developed the "surf guitar" style heavy echo effect -lyrics focused on surfing, beach parties, beautiful girls, romance, high-school, fast cars and drag racing The Beach Boys - ANSWER The best-selling American group of the 1960s -formed by brothers Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson with cousin Mike Love (lead singer) and friend AJ Jardine -signed with Capitol Records in 1962 managed by their father -Album "Surfin USA" national breakthrough initiated surf music craze -rich vocal harmonies and polyphonic textures. Mixed early rock by Chuck Berry and surf guitar by Dick Dale with a four part harmony -had several hits "surfer girls, fun fun fun, and stay true to your school Beach Boys rise to fame - ANSWER -Brian was the leader and wrote all of the band's songs. He wanted to expand the band's sound -Kings of surf rock -composed more complex songs with the help of Tony Asher and Van Dyke Parks -Brian hailed as a musical genius; band unhappy that Brian was changing their sound -used cutting edge technology at Gold Star Studios to create ground breaking music -concept albums Surfin' Safari - ANSWER -words and music by Brian Wilson and Mike Love -recorded by The Beach Boys for Capitol Records in 1962 -verse chorus form, polyphonic vocal texture -vocals, guitar, bass, drums Good Vibrations - ANSWER -one of the most important rock songs; Brian called it his Pocket Symphony (took over 6 months to record) over 5 minutes long, 11 distinct versions spliced together to create final track - words by Brian Wilson and Mike Love, music by Brian Wilson -recorded by The Beach Boys for Capitol Records in 1966 -complex multi-section form, polyphonic textures, non-traditional instruments like the Thermin -uses the organ, cello, thermin and woodwinds