Rock from : In the Mainstream

Corporate Rock Rock becoming more business oriented by 1974Rock becoming more business oriented by 1974 Less spontaneity, more focus on finding mainstream audienceLess spontaneity, more focus on finding mainstream audience Mostly due to corporate takeover of recording industry (by even larger corporations)Mostly due to corporate takeover of recording industry (by even larger corporations)

Mainstream Rock Less spontaneity, more focus on finding mainstream audienceLess spontaneity, more focus on finding mainstream audience Multi-Platinum hits of the mid 1970sMulti-Platinum hits of the mid 1970s –Platinum record – 1 million copies sold –Peter Frampton - Frampton Comes Alive –Fleetwood Mac – Rumors Reveal the amount of money that could be made from rock musicReveal the amount of money that could be made from rock music

Mainstream rock – major trends Pop rockPop rock Hard rockHard rock FusionsFusions

Mainstream of the Mainstream Increasingly conservativeIncreasingly conservative Slickly producedSlickly produced High level of musical skill expectedHigh level of musical skill expected Carefully conceived contentCarefully conceived content “Processed rock product”“Processed rock product”

Pop Rock Most glam rockMost glam rock –KISS –David Bowie Some singer/songwritersSome singer/songwriters –Paul Simon –Billy Joel

Pop Rock Groups and artists that might be classified as pop or rockGroups and artists that might be classified as pop or rock –Elton John –Wings –Rod Stewart –Fleetwood Mac

Elton John – Tiny Dancer Lyric dominatesLyric dominates Verse-transition-refrainVerse-transition-refrain –2 part verse, each AABA End weighting through gradual addition of instruments, new tone colorsEnd weighting through gradual addition of instruments, new tone colors Subtle sixteen-beat rhythmic foundationSubtle sixteen-beat rhythmic foundation

Hard Rock Continuation of style of Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, The WhoContinuation of style of Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, The Who Many similar acts, but less influenced by bluesMany similar acts, but less influenced by blues Standard rock ensemble, or variant thereofStandard rock ensemble, or variant thereof

Hard Rock - style Riff-driven songsRiff-driven songs Lyrics that speak to common experienceLyrics that speak to common experience Aggressive timekeepingAggressive timekeeping Flavored (at various times) by country rock, blues, gospel, or other influencesFlavored (at various times) by country rock, blues, gospel, or other influences –Steve Miller Band –Bachman Turner Overdrive –Styx –Queen –Aerosmith

Fusions Jazz-rock fusionJazz-rock fusion –Rock bands influenced by jazz rhythmic and harmonic sophistication –Often jazz players in group –Exs. Blood, Sweat, and TearsBlood, Sweat, and Tears ChicagoChicago Steely DanSteely Dan

Blood, Sweat, and Tears – Spinning Wheel EnsembleEnsemble –Lead vocalist David Clayton –Rhythm section – drums, piano, organ, guitar, bass –Horn section Sophisticated jazz harmoniesSophisticated jazz harmonies Jazz-influenced horn riffsJazz-influenced horn riffs Juxtaposed with syncopated R&B riffsJuxtaposed with syncopated R&B riffs

Spinning Wheel - Form Short intro - crescendo (increase in volume), horns play one measure of 16-beat style beat A: “What goes up…” A: “You got no money…” B: Extensive contrasting section/short bridge A: “Someone is waiting…” A: 1/2 verse as bridge (piano solo) C: solo section: Improvisation on melody by trumpet, 2x through changes, plus extension 2x through changes, plus extension A: “Someone’s waiting…” D (outro)? Mixed meter stop time, alternating with calliope-like improvisation

“Blue-eyed soul” White groups influenced by gospel and soulWhite groups influenced by gospel and soul –Doobie Brothers –Dr. John How?How? –Doobie Brothers - Takin’ it to the Streets –Dr. John - Right Place, Wrong Time

“Blue-Eyed Soul” Takin’ it to the StreetsTakin’ it to the Streets –Soulful vocal style delivery –Active bass line, ala Stax Soul –Hammond organ –Backing vocals added in refrain Right Place, Wrong TimeRight Place, Wrong Time –Blues/gospel vocal style, tone –Syncopation –Polyrhythms –Funk accompaniment, including wah-wah pedal –Choir

Right Place, Wrong Time Form: modification of refrain-frameForm: modification of refrain-frame –A B A A (solos over changes) B A Shifting of style beatShifting of style beat –16-beat style beat in intro –shifts to 8 beat rock style beat –both come together at beginning of vocals –B section uses 2 beat style beat

The Eagles Combined country rock with slick pop production,Combined country rock with slick pop production, Extremely popular in 1970sExtremely popular in 1970s The Eagles - Take It EasyThe Eagles - Take It Easy –Unmistakable country influence –Close vocal harmonies influenced by Beach Boys, Everly Brothers –Harmonically simple –Rhythmically straightforward