The Promise of Rock & Roll Chpt. 17 MUSH 261: History of Rock & Roll

Trickling Down with Ronald Reagan Ronald Reagan took office in 1981 Resulted in a dire economic recession Divided America into Rich & Poor “Trickle Down” – Gave government aid to corporations in the hopes of increasing profit and translating to higher wages and increased employment.

Reagan's Reign In office for 8 years Sent America into an economic tailspin – Offered corporate incentives – Slashed domestic programs – Padded the military budget

Reagan Antics The Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO) declared strike – Reagan fired all 11,359 Controllers Reagan fired all 11,359 Controllers Economic Recovery Act – Gave tax breaks to businesses and wealthy individuals. Many baby boomers who expected the prosperity of their youth to continue especially felt the effects of the recession

The Boss Bruce Springsteen Sang about Americans who felt the hard times From Freehold New Jersey Learned to play the guitar at age : 10-piece Bruce Springsteen Band 1972: Solo Act – auditioned with Columbia/John Hammond who worked with Bob Dylan and Aretha Franklin

Bruce Springsteen Band

The “New Dylan” Bruce was described as the the “New Dylan” Even looked like Dylan at one point 1973: Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. – Only sold 12,000 copies to the Jersey Shore End of 1973: Renamed band, E Street Band 1974: Rolling Stone Journalist named him the future of Rock and Roll

Dylan Springsteen

1980’s Springsteen Springsteen switched his sound with the economy “Darkness on the Edge of Town” Acoustic Album: Nebraska chronicled the alienation of aging baby boom Americans

Born in the USA Downbound Train: lumber worker who lost his job and wife when hard times hit Downbound Train My Hometown: bleak changes affecting a town located in the depressed heartland of industrial Middle America My Hometown: Benefit Concerts for Vietnam Vets Other Benefit Concerts by other Bands called: Band Aid

Children of the 60’s Renewed interest in social causes shaped new bands U2 – From Dublin – Bono: Paul Hewson – The Edge – David Evans – Adam Clayton – Larry Mullen Jr Won a talent contest in 1978

U2 Debut Single: 11 O’Clock tick tock11 O’Clock tick tock – Failed to chart Political Message – Sunday Bloody SundaySunday Bloody Sunday – Political troubles in Ireland Commitment to 1960’s ideals Producer Brian Eno “Pride (In the Name of Love)” dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr. “Pride (In the Name of Love)”

Classic Rock Return of the 1960’s style protest & advent of the C.D. brought the rebirth of 1960’s rock Radio helped to promote 1960’s rock Ignored the T.V. Generation that preferred rapid-fire videos of MTV Radio programmed oldies for the baby boomers 1988 – 10,000 station, more than 50 were broadcasting oldies

Compact Disc Created in 1982 Provided record buyers with high-quality, digital, durable, long-lasting format Less than 5 inches in diameter Could hold 75 minutes of music Could not easily be scratched like vinyl

CD & CD players 1983 CD Player: $900 CD: $ CD Player: Less than $150 CD: $14

Death of the Cassette CD’s began to outsell cassettes and cassette players Predicted the end of vinyl 1992: vinyl shrunk to 2.3 percent of the U.S. music market CD’s convinced people to buy their favorite music all over again

Growing Record Industry Dominated by 6 Record Companies Time-Warner (WEA) Sony/CBS Bertelsmann Music Group (BMG) MCA Matsushita N.V. Philips of Holland Thorn-EML (CEMA)

Bruce goes Country Paved the road to country success with anthemic tales of working class and the downtrodden Steve Earle Dwight Yoakam Lynyrd Skynyrd The Allman Brothers

Garth Brooks Addressed current social concerns “We Shall Be Free” – Supported gay rights “Last Night I had the Strangest Dream” – Anti war songs “Thunder Rolls” – Effects of domestic violence “Face to Face” – Condemned date rape

Shania Twain Garth Brooks led the way Grew up near Ontario Canada on the Mattagami Indian Reservation “From This Moment On” “Come on Over”