1. From Blues to Rock The Blues Revival

2. British Blues Revival Skiffle & Trad players attracted to “deep blues” (country and country-influenced blues); R&BSkiffle & Trad players attracted to “deep blues” (country and country-influenced blues); R&B Blues clubs open throughout EnglandBlues clubs open throughout England British bands begin focusing on blues repertoireBritish bands begin focusing on blues repertoire –Begin with relatively straight cover versions of Chicago blues –Eventually yields new rock styles: hard rock, blues rock, heavy metal

3. Blues Influence on hard rock Primacy of the guitarPrimacy of the guitar Guitar tone colors and techniques expandGuitar tone colors and techniques expand – Overdriven guitar = “snarling” hard rock sound Improvisation – – Extended, improvised solos become important part of rock Vocal styleVocal style – Rough, harsh growl of blues singers – Using entire voice, not just refined “singing” voice – Blue notes, groans, moans, and shouts

4. Riff-based composition Kinks, You Really Got Me Kinks, You Really Got Me – Single guitar/bass riff provides melodic interest, rhythmic and harmonic foundation – Power chords three-note chord composed of the tonic, fifth note of the scale, and an octave above the tonic three-note chord composed of the tonic, fifth note of the scale, and an octave above the tonic Creates static harmonic feel Creates static harmonic feel Overdriven, distorted guitar Overdriven, distorted guitar

5. Blues influence on rock Improvisation – – Extended, improvised solos become important part of rock More dynamic and aggressive showmanship Increased focus on rhythmic complexity

6. The Rolling Stones Name from Muddy Waters song Mannish BoyName from Muddy Waters song Mannish Boy Original intent: blues bandOriginal intent: blues band Most early hits rock and roll, but colored by bluesMost early hits rock and roll, but colored by blues Manager shapes into “anti-Beatles”Manager shapes into “anti-Beatles” –Image of non-conforming rebels –Scruffy appearance, aggressive manner

7. Rolling Stones - style Dense textures, low registers in all instrumentsDense textures, low registers in all instruments Hard, yet precise, drummingHard, yet precise, drumming Riff-based style, laden with power chordsRiff-based style, laden with power chords Prominent, often distorted guitarProminent, often distorted guitar Majority of songs based on altered 12-bar blues progressionsMajority of songs based on altered 12-bar blues progressions

8. (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction Fuzztone riff – distorted sound achieved by cutting through speaker cone Fuzztone riff – distorted sound achieved by cutting through speaker cone Interesting syncopation Interesting syncopation X X X X X____ X X X X X 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 – “Shuffle” eighth of riff against rock beat of bass, drum

9. (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction Circular feel Circular feel Avoids tonic pitch in riff, vocals Avoids tonic pitch in riff, vocals Hook – word “Satisfaction,” largely avoided Hook – word “Satisfaction,” largely avoided Replaced with riff or drum break Replaced with riff or drum break “Endless loop” “Endless loop” Regular but irregular form Regular but irregular form Verse and refrain, but not really a refrain Verse and refrain, but not really a refrain Verses same length, but phrases within verses of different lengths Verses same length, but phrases within verses of different lengths

10. The Yardbirds One of premiere bands in BritainOne of premiere bands in Britain Hit single “For Your Love”Hit single “For Your Love” Lead guitar player - Eric ClaptonLead guitar player - Eric Clapton –Replaced by Jeff Beck (1965-6), Jimmy Page (1966-8) 1965 Clapton leaves to join John Mayall and Blues Breakers1965 Clapton leaves to join John Mayall and Blues Breakers –Blues styled solos create “sound” of blues rock

11. Clapton and the blues rock “sound” Adopts heavy Gibson Les PaulAdopts heavy Gibson Les Paul Combined with Marshall stackCombined with Marshall stack –Guitar amplifier –Speaker cabinet containing four square speakers x 2 Uses feedback in studio recordingsUses feedback in studio recordings

12. Cream (or The Cream) Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker, Eric ClaptonJack Bruce, Ginger Baker, Eric Clapton First “power trio”First “power trio” –Lead guitar, bass, drums –No chording instrument (rhythm guitar or piano) Also first super groupAlso first super group –All members known from other successful bands

13. Cream - Strange Brew Arrangement of traditional blues “Lawdy Mama” with new lyricsArrangement of traditional blues “Lawdy Mama” with new lyrics 12-bar blues form12-bar blues form Riff-based accompanimentRiff-based accompaniment Syncopated bass line Syncopated bass line Long, jazz-influenced ideas Long, jazz-influenced ideas Makes bass more than just background instrument Makes bass more than just background instrument Rock rhythm present, but irregular emphasisRock rhythm present, but irregular emphasis

14. Cream – Strange Brew Guitar solo lifted, nearly in entirety, from Albert King’s Cross Cut SawGuitar solo lifted, nearly in entirety, from Albert King’s Cross Cut Saw – string bending and vibrato, ala B. B. King – “Loose” rhythmic quality – “floats” over foundation – Inflection of notes for emphasis, rather than sharper accents

15. Jimi Hendrix One of most influential guitarists in rockOne of most influential guitarists in rock Expanded palate of rock guitar soundsExpanded palate of rock guitar sounds Known for use of feedback and other pedal effectsKnown for use of feedback and other pedal effects –Feedback: Distorted squeal produced when sound coming through amplifier taken in by microphone or pickup through guitar, then fed back through amp –Pedals Electronic circuits through which sound from pickup routedElectronic circuits through which sound from pickup routed Alters sound that emerges from ampAlters sound that emerges from amp

16. Jimi Hendrix – Voodoo Child 16-bar blues form16-bar blues form –Adds fourth line to traditional aab lyrics Uneven four beat shuffleUneven four beat shuffle Laid back, blues inflected vocal toneLaid back, blues inflected vocal tone Guitar solosGuitar solos –Loaded with feedback –Bends strings to emulate blues slide playing –Occasional double-time fills

17. Jimi Hendrix Darker, textured sound of Hendrix becomes norm in psychedelic rock, heavy metalDarker, textured sound of Hendrix becomes norm in psychedelic rock, heavy metal