1950s

 Pop originally refers to the abbreviation of “popular”  Two words often used interchangeably but are actually separate entities  Pop music originated in 1950s in Great Britain  Derived from rock and roll Term used to describe rock and roll and new British youth music styles that it influenced

 This genre of music includes a mix of many different styles varying from jazz to country; rock and roll to rap; and be-bop to hip-hop.  The production of sheet music was essential for the success of pop music Families could get together and play songs on an instrument

 At the start of the 20 th century, pianos were traded in for phonographs Allowed for listening to popular songs without having to play it outright  Pop Music is generally described as very commercial friendly Marketable Memorable Uses vocals, lyrics, instruments, or a combination of all three Catchy choruses or verses

 Pop Music attempts to create visual content in response to the feature extracted from the music  To give a visually coherent representation of the sound

 Jerry Lee Lewis  Johnny Cash  Elvis Presley

 Known as an American Rock and Roll and country music singer-songwriter  Born and raised in Ferriday, Louisiana  First started in 1956 with Sun Records  His song, “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On” made him famous

 Lewis was private about his personal life  Ray Berry, a British Reporter, found out about Lewis’s third wife Myra Gale Brown  Myra was 13 years old  She was also his first cousin, once removed  This news caused an uproar  led to his British tour ending sooner than expected

 As a result of this scandal, Lewis was blacklisted from radio stations  Ostracized from music scenes  Ticket sales for concerts went from $10,000 a night to $250 a night  For the remainder of the fifties he was fairly unsuccessful

 Attempted a rock and roll comeback with a new label in Smash Records during the 60s  Wasn’t very successful  Switched over to recording country ballads  After the mid-60s, Lewis began to experience a jump-start in success, with his singles landing in the Top 10 numerous times

 Known as an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author  Well known during the 50s as a rock and roll and rock-a-billy artist  Had a deep bass- baritone voice

 Made first recordings for Sun Records in 1955, “Hey Porter” and “Cry! Cry! Cry!”  Cash is also known for his involvement with the Million Dollar Quartet Elvis Presley Jerry Lee Lews, Jr. Luther Perkins Johnny Cash

 Cash was born in Kingsland, Arkansas.  Cash and his wife moved to Memphis, Tennessee where he started his music career  Had a successful run with Sun Records, but left for more freedom and money to Columbia Records in 1958  Career took off and this led to more successful tours with bigger artists

 Cash was happily married to Vivian Liberto in 1954  They had four daughters  Due to tours, affairs with other woman, and close relationship with June Carter, Cash and Liberto divorced in  Cash and Carter were married in They were together until June Carter’s death in 2003.

 Cash drank heavily and suffered from drug addiction Known for using certain drugs to stay awake during tours Known for nervousness and erratic behavior during shows  This behavior and lifestyle allowed him to create an “Outlaw” image which may have helped his career

 Cash claimed to have “tried every drug there was to try”  Cash has said he was “the only person sued by the government for starting a forest fire  Arrested in 1965 for trespassing late at night to pick flowers  Cops suspected he was smuggling in heroine from Mexico. He was actually hiding prescription tablets.  Was in jail seven times

 Cash performed concerts at various prisons starting in the late 1950s  These performances led to two successful live albums, Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison (1968) and Johnny Cash at San Quentin (1969)  Folsom Prison recorded included “Folsom Prison Blues”  San Quentin record included “A Boy Named Sue”

 Johnny Cash and June Carter were very close even while married to other people  Cash’s first marriage ended much due to this relationship  Cash and Carter performed side by side for many years before and after their marriage in 1968  June Carter died in May  Some say Cash’s health worsened due to a broken heart over June’s passing.  Cash died less then 4 months later in September of 2003.

 Known as an American singer, musician, and actor  Referred to as “the King of Rock and Roll” or “the King”  Very significant cultural icon of the 20 th century

 Was born in Tupelo, Mississippi in January of 1935  Born in a two room house that his father built along with his uncle  His family moved to Memphis, Tennessee when he was 13

 Grew up rather poor in finances, but rich in musical exposure  Instead of getting a bike as a kid, his father convinced him to take a guitar instead Elvis’s first guitar cost $12.95  When he was in high school, he won the talent show his senior year singing and playing guitar.

 Made his start working with Sun Records in 1954  Known for playing rock and role, pop and rockabilly music Rockabilly - Upbeat fusion of country music and rhythm an blues  Sun Records sold his contract to RCA Victor, leading to his first RCA single, “Heartbreak Hotel” in 1956

 In a short time, Elvis crossed color and race lines with his style of music and performance  Made him very popular and controversial  November 1956, Elvis starred in his first film, Love me Tender  In 1958, Elvis was drafted into military service with the U.S. Army Continued his recording career two years later

 In 1971, Presley had an affair with Joyce Bova  From this affair, resulted Bova’s pregnancy and subsequent abortion  He often mentioned leaving his wife and moving in with Bova

 The Presley’s separated in 1972 after Elvis learns of his wife’s affair with her karate instructor  Some say, that after hearing of this, Elvis raped his wife  Soon after the separation (five months), a new girlfriend, Linda Thompson, moved in with him

 Presley was also heavily addicted to barbiturates  Overdosed on barbiturates twice during the year of 1973 Spent three days in a coma after first overdose  Hospitalized, semicomatose from the effects of Demerol addiction  This matched with his very busy touring schedule, led to his declining health

 Starred in over 33 successful films  Made television appearances  Had record breaking concerts on tour and in Las Vegas  Sold over one billion records, more than any other artist