19.3 Notes - Popular Culture
I. New Era of Mass Media Mass media – the means of communication that reach large audiences (radio, tv, newspapers, magazines). Homes with a TV: 1950 – 9% 1960 – 90%
Comedies, westerns, sports events, and dramas were popular. On-the-scene news reporting and interviews were introduced. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Lucy1.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucille_Ball http://www.fiftiesweb.com/annette.htm
Advertising on TV became popular. TV reflected values of Radio began focusing on news, weather, music, and local issues. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/technology/bigdream/images/lucy.gif
II. A Subculture Emerges Beat Movement – writers that made fun of the conformity and materialism of mainstream American society (centered in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York). Look Magazine proclaimed, “…The goals of the Beat are not watching TV, not wearing gray flannel, not owning a home in the suburbs, and especially – not working.”
III. African Americans and Rock ‘n’ Roll Took African-American music (rhythm and blues) and added electronic instruments. Lyrics focused on teenagers and they responded by buying millions of records.
He had 45 songs that sold more than one million copies. “All Shook Up”, “Don’t Be Cruel”, “Hound Dog” texastester.com/elvis.jpg
Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Little Richard, Chuck Berry. TV was slow to integrate. static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/37365.jpg www.danceheritage.org/images/amerbandstand.jpg