1. History of Rock and Roll Rhythm & Blues 1

2. Rhythm and Blues Rhythm and Blues Shares the following characteristics with Blues: Melodic language – basic blues scales, “blue” notes Melodic language – basic blues scales, “blue” notes Harmonic language -- chord structures Harmonic language -- chord structures Musical structures and forms (such as the 12-bar blues) Musical structures and forms (such as the 12-bar blues) Differs from Blues in the following ways: Rhythm -- R&B features dance rhythms Instrumentation – more like jazz (more use of wind and brass instruments, etc) The use of “arrangements” Bigger variety of vocal styles -- a mixture borrowed from pop, jazz, and gospel as well as blues

3. Musical influences on Rhythm & Blues Popular Song – “Tin Pan Alley” "Tin Pan Alley" - a term that refers to the music theater and publishing districts in New York City "Tin Pan Alley" - a term that refers to the music theater and publishing districts in New York City It became a general term for “pop” tunes in the 1920s, 30s, and 40s It became a general term for “pop” tunes in the 1920s, 30s, and 40s Many of these “pre-swing” pop songs came from musical theater; many jazz “standards” began as show tunes Many of these “pre-swing” pop songs came from musical theater; many jazz “standards” began as show tunes

4. Examples of Tin Pan Alley songwriter / composers Irving Berlin George Gershwin Hoagy Carnichael Irving Berlin George Gershwin Hoagy Carnichael Rodgers and Hart Rodgers & Hammerstein Jerome Kern

5. Musical influences on Rhythm & Blues Boogie Woogie 1) Origins in Texas, Louisiana, but first recorded in Chicago 2) Popularized by series of Carnegie Hall concerts, 1938-39 3) Strong piano rhythms and characteristic piano “bass” patterns 4) Emphasis on beat and rhythm rather than text

6. Boogie-Woogie Jimmy Yancey Clarence “Pinetop” Smith Albert Ammons Meade Lux Lewis “Big Joe” Turner (singer) Pete Johnson Otis Spann

7. Joe Turner & Pete Johnson Roll ‘em, Pete (1938) Roll ‘em, Pete (1938) Johnson (piano) was a big influence on Jerry Lee Lewis & Little Richard. Johnson (piano) was a big influence on Jerry Lee Lewis & Little Richard. Turner (singing) had a crossover hit with Shake, Rattle, & Roll a few years later (subsequently covered by Bill Haley & the Comets). Turner (singing) had a crossover hit with Shake, Rattle, & Roll a few years later (subsequently covered by Bill Haley & the Comets).

8. Musical influences on Rhythm & Blues Jazz, Big-band Swing Characteristics: Characteristics: 1) dance-oriented music 2) Strong emphasis on brass (trumpet-trombone); reeds (sax, clarinet); rhythm section (piano, guitar, bass, drums) 3) Use of “walking bass” as heard in boogie-woogie 4) Tight “arrangements” with solo intervals Swing big bands were some of the first large groups to be racially integrated; in addition, white audiences “adopted” big band swing music Swing big bands were some of the first large groups to be racially integrated; in addition, white audiences “adopted” big band swing music Big band singers became very popular with a wide audience Big band singers became very popular with a wide audience

9. Examples of popular Big Band singers Billie Holiday Ella Fitzgerald Ethel Waters Billie Holiday Ella Fitzgerald Ethel Waters Sarah Vaughan Frank Sinatra Nat “King” Cole

10. Development of Rhythm and Blues: big bands vs. smaller combos After WW2 big bands experienced a period of decline: Gas rationing had made it hard to tour Gas rationing had made it hard to tour Entertainment taxes put financial hardship on music clubs Entertainment taxes put financial hardship on music clubs The musician’s union issued a recording ban in 1942 and 1943 to combat jukeboxes and radio broadcasts The musician’s union issued a recording ban in 1942 and 1943 to combat jukeboxes and radio broadcasts The result of this was an increase in the success of smaller musical combos, some more oriented toward listening (bebop jazz), and some oriented toward dance music, such as an early variety of rhythm & blues known as “jump blues.”

11. Jump Blues Dance music Dance music Instrumentation: rhythm section, 1 or 2 saxes, trumpet Instrumentation: rhythm section, 1 or 2 saxes, trumpet blues chord progressions blues chord progressions shuffle or boogie bass shuffle or boogie bass strong “backbeat” (rhythmic emphasis on “2 & 4”) strong “backbeat” (rhythmic emphasis on “2 & 4”) King of Jump Blues: Louis Jordan 1938, with the "Tympani Five" Uptempo music, humor Huge crossover appeal (black and white audiences) Strong influence on early rockers such as Bill Haley

12. Wynonie Harris Good Rockin’ Tonight (1947)  Wynonie was a talented songwriter who also worked with legendary blues guitarist T-Bone Walker.  This song was later covered (famously) by Elvis Presley.

13. T-Bone Walker: Stormy Monday Released in 1947 Released in 1947 Born Aaron Thibeaux Walker in 1910, T-Bone was a friend of legendary jazz guitarist Charlie Christian. Born Aaron Thibeaux Walker in 1910, T-Bone was a friend of legendary jazz guitarist Charlie Christian. Walker was born in Linden, TX Walker was born in Linden, TX His guitar style is considered one of the most influential of early ‘modern’ blues styles. His guitar style is considered one of the most influential of early ‘modern’ blues styles. BB King has said this song inspired him to pick up the guitar. BB King has said this song inspired him to pick up the guitar.

14. Los Angeles R & B R&B in Los Angeles had its own “west coast” sound R&B in Los Angeles had its own “west coast” sound Softer form of R & B, often referred to as “club blues” Softer form of R & B, often referred to as “club blues” Listening example: Nat King Cole, “Route 66”

15. Johnny Otis Rhythm and Blues Pioneer Musician Musician Bandleader Bandleader Songwriter Songwriter Producer Producer Talent scout Talent scout Radio Radio Visual artist Visual artist B.1921 Greek-American, grew up in black neighborhood in Berkeley 1948: opened the first exclusively R&B nightclub (the Barrelhouse) Toured with California Rhythm and Blues Caravan – extremely popular with African American audiences

16. Hound Dog On the previous slide, we heard the original version of the song Hound Dog, co-written by Johnny Otis, Jerry Leiber, & Mike Stoller. On the previous slide, we heard the original version of the song Hound Dog, co-written by Johnny Otis, Jerry Leiber, & Mike Stoller. Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton recorded it in 1953. Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton recorded it in 1953. In the late fifties, Elvis Presley re-recorded it, this is it. In the late fifties, Elvis Presley re-recorded it, this is it. The 2 biggest hits of 1953 were “Hound Dog” & “How much is that Doggie” The 2 biggest hits of 1953 were “Hound Dog” & “How much is that Doggie”

17. Rhythm and Blues – Publishing Rights What are “publishing rights companies?” What are “publishing rights companies?” Even into the late 1930s, ASCAP, the American Society of Composers and Publishers, did not license blues, rhythm and blues, or country music Even into the late 1930s, ASCAP, the American Society of Composers and Publishers, did not license blues, rhythm and blues, or country music In response, in 1939 BMI was founded (Broadcast Music Incorporated) In response, in 1939 BMI was founded (Broadcast Music Incorporated)

18. Rhythm and Blues – Record Labels By the 1940s, major labels (Decca, Capitol, etc) still reached the white audience market best. By the 1940s, major labels (Decca, Capitol, etc) still reached the white audience market best. After the Depression (1039s), they had stopped carrying a lot of black artists After the Depression (1039s), they had stopped carrying a lot of black artists In response, Many small independent labels started to spring up In response, Many small independent labels started to spring up These label were instrumental in providing record label options to African-American artists These label were instrumental in providing record label options to African-American artists

19. Rhythm and Blues – Record Labels Important Independent Labels for R&B: Chess Chess Atlantic Atlantic Sun Sun King King Savoy Jubilee Deluxe Duke VeeJay

20. “Rocket 88” – first rock and roll song? Jackie Brenston & Ike Turner Jackie Brenston & Ike Turner Recorded in Sam Phillips’ Sun Studio in Memphis Recorded in Sam Phillips’ Sun Studio in Memphis Released by Chess in Chicago Released by Chess in Chicago “Jump blues” style “Jump blues” style Distorted guitar sound an “accident”- the guitar amp fell off the car on the way to the session Distorted guitar sound an “accident”- the guitar amp fell off the car on the way to the session Other contenders for “first rock and roll song:” That’s All Right Mama (Elvis) Rock Around the Clock (Bill Haley)

21. Atlantic Records One of the most successful and long-lived rhythm and blues labels One of the most successful and long-lived rhythm and blues labels Founded by Ahmet Ertegun and Herb Abramson in 1947 Founded by Ahmet Ertegun and Herb Abramson in 1947 Eventually became a major label Eventually became a major label

22. Ruth Brown Early Atlantic artist, pioneer of rhythm and blues Early Atlantic artist, pioneer of rhythm and blues Sometimes called the “first female rhythm and blues singer” Sometimes called the “first female rhythm and blues singer” So successful, Atlantic was dubbed “the House that Ruth Built” So successful, Atlantic was dubbed “the House that Ruth Built”

23. B.B. King: Three O’Clock Blues Released in 1951. Released in 1951. Born Riley B. King in 1925, King is among the most influential guitarists & singers in blues, rock, and rhythm & blues music. Born Riley B. King in 1925, King is among the most influential guitarists & singers in blues, rock, and rhythm & blues music. Listen for King’s trademark vibrato (sounds like a quivering, or shaking, note). Listen for King’s trademark vibrato (sounds like a quivering, or shaking, note). King has been naming his guitars “Lucille” since the 1950’s to remind him not to run into burning buildings! King has been naming his guitars “Lucille” since the 1950’s to remind him not to run into burning buildings!