HISTORY OF ROCK & ROLL

History of Rock and Roll Video How did we get from this...To this...

WHAT WAS GOING ON HISTORICALLY? WHY DO WE NEED TO KNOW THIS? Having a historical background is very important Gives us a chance to have a better understanding of the music we are playing

1920S The end of WWI Simultaneous relief and fear Major upset of world politics, reflected in all the arts, especially music Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong Strong rhythms, jagged melodies, big sound Made people want to get up and dance. Flappers. Let's listen

1930S The 1920s ended on Black Tuesday, 1929 By 1932, 25% of the population was out of work Franklin Roosevelt, national improvement by making jobs, roads, bridges, tunnels, forests, national parks. Contributed to the fine arts.

1940S Once finally recovered from the depression, WWII hit. Even though war was ragged, American soldiers came home heroes Optimism reigns supreme, baby boomer generation Large, prosperous generation with their own money to spend. This means that they need their own kind of music: rock and roll

TIN PAN ALLEY Sheet music was the best way to sell music Sectional verse-chorus Singer became the star –Bing Crosby –Frank Sinatra –Paves the way for singers like Elvis and Pat Boone Smaller groups become important Musicians singing to the young people Let’s listen Let’s listen

COUNTRY & WESTERN Remained regional until after 1945 Country – Southeastern US Western – Southwestern US Accompanied by guitar and autoharp, just a man and his guitar –Jimmie Rogers –Hank Williams Became very popular during and after WWII Nashville is the big headquarters Let’s Listen

BLUES (R&B) Popular music specifically for black audiences Memphis, Chicago, Detroit Performance with accompaniment guitar –Robert Johnson Huge gospel influence Radio stations playing just R&B Couldn’t help if white teenagers were tuning in, set the stage for Rock and Roll Parents were worried about the “influence” Let’s Listen