Rock and RollRock and Roll

1. The Roots of Rock and Roll1. The Roots of Rock and Roll

The early roots of rock and roll can be The early roots of rock and roll can be traced back to Africa. Music with a hard traced back to Africa. Music with a hard driving rhythm played an important part in driving rhythm played an important part in daily tribal life. daily tribal life. Songs were used for 3 reasons:Songs were used for 3 reasons: WorkWork EntertainmentEntertainment CommunicationCommunication

Songs also kept a kind of vocal history Songs also kept a kind of vocal history instead of a history written in books (like instead of a history written in books (like today’s folk music). When slaves were today’s folk music). When slaves were brought to America in the 1600’s, they brought to America in the 1600’s, they “brought” their music with them. “brought” their music with them. African music supplies the rhythm or beat African music supplies the rhythm or beat which eventually developed into rock and which eventually developed into rock and rollroll

2. The Blues2. The Blues

While they worked in the fields, slaves While they worked in the fields, slaves would sing songs to help them through would sing songs to help them through their tough work day. They also sang sad their tough work day. They also sang sad or melancholy songs in their homes or or melancholy songs in their homes or places of worship. Slavery ended in 1865, places of worship. Slavery ended in 1865, but newly freed African Americans but newly freed African Americans continued to lead hard lives. This continued to lead hard lives. This newfound sense of isolation and hardship newfound sense of isolation and hardship is the basis of the blues.is the basis of the blues.

The first Blues singer wandered around the The first Blues singer wandered around the southern United States with guitars singing southern United States with guitars singing about their lives and hardships. The musical about their lives and hardships. The musical form (pattern) used in the blues is called the form (pattern) used in the blues is called the Twelve Bar Blues.Twelve Bar Blues. The musical style of the The musical style of the blues combined classical music and African blues combined classical music and African music. From 1920-1930 African American music. From 1920-1930 African American musicians such as Robert musicians such as Robert Johnson sang the blues in Johnson sang the blues in roadhouses and juke joints.roadhouses and juke joints.

The Characteristics of the Blues:The Characteristics of the Blues:

1.1. Slow and sad musicSlow and sad music

2.2. Instruments are guitar (often with a slide) Instruments are guitar (often with a slide) and harmonica (which could be replaced and harmonica (which could be replaced by saxophone).by saxophone).

3.3. Lyrics (words) are very simple and Lyrics (words) are very simple and repetitive ( twelve bar blues).repetitive ( twelve bar blues).

3. Twelve Bar Blues3. Twelve Bar Blues

The twelve bar blues is a common chord The twelve bar blues is a common chord progression (pattern) found in many types progression (pattern) found in many types of rock and roll. The simple and repetitive of rock and roll. The simple and repetitive nature of the twelve bar blues make it nature of the twelve bar blues make it easy to play and sing.easy to play and sing.

Pattern of the Lyrics:Pattern of the Lyrics: Line one – makes a statement Line one – makes a statement

Line two – a repeat of line one Line two – a repeat of line one Lines three and four – draw a Lines three and four – draw a conclusion (the last word of line four conclusion (the last word of line four rhymes with the last word of line onerhymes with the last word of line one

(a) You ain’t nothin’ but a hound dog crying all the time (a) You ain’t nothin’ but a hound dog crying all the time (a) You ain’t nothin’ but a hound dog crying all the time (a) You ain’t nothin’ but a hound dog crying all the time (b) You’ve never caught a rabbit (b) You’ve never caught a rabbit and you ain’t no friend of mine and you ain’t no friend of mine

12 Bar Blues Chord Progression (pattern)12 Bar Blues Chord Progression (pattern)

CCCC CCCC CCCC CCCC CCCC CCCC CCCC CCCC FFFF FFFF CCCC CCCC FFFF FFFF CCCC CCCC GGGG FFFF CCCC CCCCGGGG FFFF CCCC CCCC

4.4. The 50’s: The 50’s: The Birth of Rock and RollThe Birth of Rock and Roll

Rhythm and BluesRhythm and Blues

The 50’s began with rhythm and blues, The 50’s began with rhythm and blues, which was music played by and listened to which was music played by and listened to by African Americans. Two important by African Americans. Two important musicians of Rhythm and Blues are: musicians of Rhythm and Blues are: 1. Fats Domino 1. Fats Domino 2. Chuck Berry2. Chuck Berry

The Characteristics of Rhythm and Blues:The Characteristics of Rhythm and Blues:

1.1. Fast and cheerful musicFast and cheerful music

2.2. Use of electric instrumentsUse of electric instruments

3.3. Easy to dance toEasy to dance to

4.4. Uses the twelve bar blues chord Uses the twelve bar blues chord progressionprogression

Alan FreedAlan Freed In 1955 a white disc jockey named Alan In 1955 a white disc jockey named Alan

Freed introduced rhythm and blues to the Freed introduced rhythm and blues to the large white audience in Cincinnati, Ohio. large white audience in Cincinnati, Ohio. He changed the name of rhythm and blues He changed the name of rhythm and blues to rock and roll.to rock and roll. Record sales boomed Record sales boomed and Bill Hailey’s “Rock around and Bill Hailey’s “Rock around the Clock” was the 1 the Clock” was the 1stst giant Rock and Roll hit.giant Rock and Roll hit.

Later Freed was disgraced for bribing Later Freed was disgraced for bribing people in order for him to play their people in order for him to play their records. This scandal, which became records. This scandal, which became known as known as PayolaPayola, shook the recording , shook the recording industry and ruined Freed’s disc jockey industry and ruined Freed’s disc jockey career.career.

Elvis PresleyElvis Presley

Elvis grew up very poor in Tennessee Elvis grew up very poor in Tennessee listening to Rhythm and Blues of the listening to Rhythm and Blues of the African American community. He sang African American community. He sang and recorded music influenced by his life and recorded music influenced by his life experiences and he proudly stated that he experiences and he proudly stated that he sounded like no one else. sounded like no one else.

In 1953, a young Elvis walked into In 1953, a young Elvis walked into Sun Records and recorded a Sun Records and recorded a couple of songs. A few months later, the couple of songs. A few months later, the owner of Sun Records, Sam Phillips hired owner of Sun Records, Sam Phillips hired Elvis. It was often quoted that Elvis was a Elvis. It was often quoted that Elvis was a “white boy who sang African American “white boy who sang African American music”. Phillips realized that Elvis put his music”. Phillips realized that Elvis put his whole heart and soul into the music. In 1955, whole heart and soul into the music. In 1955, Phillips sold Elvis’ contract to RCA records Phillips sold Elvis’ contract to RCA records for $35,000.for $35,000.

Even though many parents believed Even though many parents believed Rock and Roll was an evil influence Rock and Roll was an evil influence on young people, Elvis became an instant on young people, Elvis became an instant success with teenagers. His good looks and success with teenagers. His good looks and gyrating hips brought Rock and Roll into every gyrating hips brought Rock and Roll into every home. Elvis had become the first superstar with home. Elvis had become the first superstar with remakes of old Rhythm and Blues remakes of old Rhythm and Blues songs. With all his success, it is songs. With all his success, it is important to remember that Elvis important to remember that Elvis never performed outside the U.S.never performed outside the U.S.

5. The 5 characteristics of 5. The 5 characteristics of Rock and RollRock and Roll

1. Easy to sing melodies1. Easy to sing melodies

2. Amplification and use of electrical 2. Amplification and use of electrical equipmentequipment

3. Loudness3. Loudness

4. Songs about the cares and wants of 4. Songs about the cares and wants of young peopleyoung people

5. Rock songs have repeated words and 5. Rock songs have repeated words and music (chorus and verse style)music (chorus and verse style)

Towards the end of the 1950’s, rock and Towards the end of the 1950’s, rock and roll lost many of its great artists. Elvis roll lost many of its great artists. Elvis Presley was drafted into the army; Little Presley was drafted into the army; Little Richard quit rock and roll; Ritchie Valens, Richard quit rock and roll; Ritchie Valens, Buddy Holly and the Big Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper were killed in a Bopper were killed in a plane crash. This crash plane crash. This crash was a tragic event that was a tragic event that resulted in the song resulted in the song “American Pie”.“American Pie”.

6.6. The BeatlesThe Beatlesand the and the

English InvasionEnglish Invasion

In the 60’s, British rock groups such as the Beatles In the 60’s, British rock groups such as the Beatles and The Rolling Stones began to remake old and The Rolling Stones began to remake old rhythm and blues songs using more amplification. rhythm and blues songs using more amplification. When you remake a song it is called a When you remake a song it is called a cover cover versionversion. The Beatles had . The Beatles had become the first rock and roll become the first rock and roll super group and had a very super group and had a very large impact on young large impact on young people and society in general.people and society in general.

The Beatles first appearance in the U.S. was on The Beatles first appearance in the U.S. was on the Ed Sullivan show on February, 1964. The the Ed Sullivan show on February, 1964. The Ed Sullivan show was the 1Ed Sullivan show was the 1stst TV appearance for TV appearance for many bands and performers in the 60’s. many bands and performers in the 60’s. A fad towards long hair started a rebellion A fad towards long hair started a rebellion between young people and their parents. between young people and their parents. This idea of using music to This idea of using music to express frustration with parents express frustration with parents and older people can still be and older people can still be seen today. seen today.

Influences of the Beatles:Influences of the Beatles:

1.1. Multi-tracking/overdubbing in their Multi-tracking/overdubbing in their recordingsrecordings

2.2. Use of classical instruments in songsUse of classical instruments in songs

3.3. Long hair and different clothes (style)Long hair and different clothes (style)

4.4. Combing different styles of music – Combing different styles of music – crossover musiccrossover music

7. Styles of Rock Music7. Styles of Rock Music

California RockCalifornia Rock Surfer music of the 60’sSurfer music of the 60’s High pitched voicesHigh pitched voices 4 and 5 part harmonies4 and 5 part harmonies Beach Boys, Jan and DeanBeach Boys, Jan and Dean

Folk RockFolk Rock words expressed society’s concerns-war, words expressed society’s concerns-war,

racism, politics….racism, politics…. music relayed a message performers hoped music relayed a message performers hoped

would make people take actionwould make people take action Combined acoustic and electric instrumentsCombined acoustic and electric instruments Woodstock was a huge event that showcased Woodstock was a huge event that showcased

all the great performers of the dayall the great performers of the day Crosby, Stills and Nash/ Simon and GarfunkleCrosby, Stills and Nash/ Simon and Garfunkle

Studio RockStudio Rock music recorded in a studio and cannot be music recorded in a studio and cannot be

reproduced live.reproduced live. many unique soundsmany unique sounds Extensive use of electrical equipmentExtensive use of electrical equipment Multi-tracking is used a great dealMulti-tracking is used a great deal Beatles / The Rolling Stones / ElvisBeatles / The Rolling Stones / Elvis Disco grew out of studio RockDisco grew out of studio Rock Donna Summer / The Bee GeesDonna Summer / The Bee Gees

Hard RockHard Rock rock of the 70’srock of the 70’s forerunner of heavy metalforerunner of heavy metal very loud and harsh sounding compared to very loud and harsh sounding compared to

music of the pastmusic of the past Kiss / ACDC / Led ZepplinKiss / ACDC / Led Zepplin

Acid RockAcid Rock Music inspired by drugs (overdose/death)Music inspired by drugs (overdose/death) Psychedelic sound and strange wordsPsychedelic sound and strange words Experimentation of sounds and wordsExperimentation of sounds and words Jimi Hendrix / Janis Joplin/ The DoorsJimi Hendrix / Janis Joplin/ The Doors

Heavy MetalHeavy Metal Louder and faster music than in the pastLouder and faster music than in the past Use of synthesized soundsUse of synthesized sounds Improvisation in solos (classical influence)Improvisation in solos (classical influence) Often created controversy with aggressive Often created controversy with aggressive

lyricslyrics Black Sabbath / MetallicaBlack Sabbath / Metallica The first mention of the term “Heavy Metal” is The first mention of the term “Heavy Metal” is

in a song by Steppenwolf called “Born to be in a song by Steppenwolf called “Born to be Wild” - 1973Wild” - 1973