How does Malvina Reynolds’ song Little Boxes criticize the suburbs of the 1950s? Bell Ringer

Breaking Out of “Little Boxes” Conformity and Conflict

“The Problem That Has No Name” The Feminine Mystique – Betty Friedan (1963) “The problem that has no name” Housewives feeling unfulfilled, despite society telling them they should be content A1957 interview with her former college classmates, prompted Friedan to begin research for The Feminine Mystique, conducting interviews with other suburban housewives, as well as researching psychology, media, and advertising. “The suburban housewife was the dream image of the young American women. She was healthy, beautiful, educated, concerned only about her husband, her children, and her home.” She discovered “the problem that has no name” - the widespread unhappiness of women persisted, although American culture insisted that fulfillment for women could be found in marriage and housewifery.

The Sexual Revolution Begins The Kinsey Report Playboy Magazine (1953) Hugh Hefner “The Pill” (1954) Health, choice, population control Stigma/denial by doctors The Kinsey Report (1953) Discussed taboo subjects surrounding sexuality for both men and women Discussed fluidity of sexuality Playboy Magazine (1953) Hugh Hefner Marilyn Monroe as the first centerfold “The Pill” (1954) Health, choice, population control Stigma/denial for women who asked for a prescription; not widely available until 1960s

Dig It, Man! The “Beat Generation” (AKA: Beatniks): Underground anti- conformist youth movement Greenwich Village, NYC Jack Kerouac – On The Road Alan Ginsburg – “Howl” The “Beat Generation” (AKA: Beatniks): Underground anti-conformist youth movement Greenwich Village, NYC Artistic, drug experimentation, alternative forms of sexuality, interest in Eastern religions, rejection of consumerism, idealization of free expression Alan Ginsburg – “Howl” I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked, dragging themselves through the negro streets at dawn looking for an angry fix, angelheaded hipsters burning for the ancient heavenly connection to the starry dynamo in the machinery of night, who poverty and tatters and hollow-eyed and high sat up smoking in the supernatural darkness of cold-water flats floating across the tops of cities contemplating jazz… Jack Kerouac – On The Road “[...]the only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes “Awww!” "Beat" indicated the culture, the attitude and the literature, while the common usage of "beatnik" was that of a stereotype found in lightweight cartoon drawings and twisted, sometimes violent, media characters.

Beats vs. Preps Beats Preps

Born to Be Wild! Teenage rebels (AKA: juvenile delinquents) Rebelled against authority and middle class life J. D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye Rebel Without A Cause Teenage Rebels (AKA: Juvenile Delinquents, JDs, Greasers, DAs, etc.) Books: J. D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye Movies: The Wild One; Rebel Without A Cause Listened to rock and roll Experimented with drugs and alcohol Rebelled against authority More promiscuous than their peers

What do these artists have in common?

Origins of Rock and Roll Rock Around the Clock, by Bill Haley and the Comets (1954) Originated from the black community Dubbed “race music” Covered by “acceptable” white artists All pictures linked to music. All these artists are early inductees to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, though most people will initially notice that they are all black, which is EXACTLY what America saw. They were preoccupied with their race, rather than their talent. “Play button” will show Pat Boone’s rendition of Blueberry Hill – it’s sickeningly sweet and boring.

The Men Who Made Rock and Roll Alan Freed Popularized genre among white audiences Coined the term “Rock and Roll” Payola scandal! Sam Phillips’ Sun Records Responsible for careers of many early superstars Alan Freed: Cleveland DJ who coined the term “Rock and Roll” Responsible for introducing the genre to mainstream audiences Presented music by African-American artists (rather than cover versions by white artists) Payola scandal! Freed's career ended when it was shown that he had accepted payola (payments from record companies to play specific records) Sam Phillips Originally opened to provide opportunities to record (song demos, birthday greetings, etc.) Opened Sun Records to take advantage of the great artists that came through his studio to record demos Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, and…… His secretary recorded a young man that impressed her. He recorded a gospel hymn for his mother’s birthday. Phillips listened to it, remarking that “gospel doesn’t sell” and that he was just another black artist whose music wouldn’t go anywhere. The secretary informed him that the singer was actually white, and Phillips decided to sign the young man to his label – Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley: The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll Elvis Presley - undisputed King of Rock and Roll Was “a white artist able to sing black music,” bringing rock and roll to a wider audience than ever before. Had a massive following, bringing young girls to hysteria Considered too “sexual” for many audiences, including Ed Sullivan

The Day the Music Died Buddy Holly: Peggy Sue and Oh Boy! Big Bopper: Chantilly Lace Richie Valens: Donna and La Bamba February 3, 1959 – A plane carrying Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the “Big Bopper” crashed in a field outside Clear Lake, Iowa American Pie by Don McLean (1971), dubbed it as "The Day The Music Died” Symbolized the "loss of innocence" of the early rock-and-roll generation The Day the Music Died

Motown Motown: An African- American record label that had huge crossover success Founded by Berry Gordy Known for its signature style of soul music with a distinct pop influence Motown: An African-American record label that had huge crossover success Nickname for Detroit (“Motor Town/City”) Founded by Berry Gordy Known for its signature style of soul music with a distinct pop influence Temptations, Supremes, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, etc.

Let’s Dance!