1. The 1st Multi-media Celebrity
Elvis Presley
The King of
Rock-n-roll
18 No 1 Hits
First to sign with
a major label: RCA
Over 30 films
The 1st Multi-media Celebrity

2. Bill Haley and the Comets
1st rock hit
No.1 on all three charts: pop, country, R&B
Popularized in the film Blackboard Jungle
“Rock Around the Clock”

3. Chuck Berry *The first great rock guitarist
*Johnny B. Goode *classic guitar riff
*Combined country
vocal sound with
blues rhythms

4. Little Richard Pioneer of the rock piano sound
Wild showman with dramatic flair
Claims to be the true king of rock

5. Jerry Lee Lewis Fiery hair and fiery persona
Scandal after marrying his cousin
Classic rock piano
Whole Lotta Shakin’

6. Buddy Holly Texas country style blues and rockabilly
Backing band called the Crickets
Inspired the Beatles and their name
That’ll Be the Day, Peggy Sue

7. The Ronnettes etc. Girl groups dominated 1962 and 1963
Amazing harmonies
Powerful vocals over the WALL of SOUND
“Be My Baby”

8. The Beach Boys Popularized the surf sound
Vocal harmonies based off of barbershop quartet
Imitated Chuck Berry guitar riffs
Huge success but lacked the lyric depth of rivals the Beatles

9. The Beatles Paul,John, George, Ringo From Liverpool, England
Started the British Invasion
Came to Ed Sullivan Show February 1964
Dominated the charts with top 5 hits at once that year
Most successful group of all time
Shifted focus from singles to albums

10. The Beatles Early albums: cheery but less creative pop
Mid 60s: greater depth of lyrics influenced by Bob Dylan, more skillful songs crafted by the so called 5th Beatle producer George Martin
Late 60s: great diversity, lacked direction after death of manager Brian Epstein

11. The Rolling Stones The original bad boys of rock
More deeply entrenched in the blues tradition
Guitar riffs core to the songs
Mick Jagger and Keith Richards
Most enduring rock band still draw huge crowds for live performances
Nearly 500,000 attended 2003 Toronto show

12. British Invasion The Beatles The Rolling Stones The Animals The Who
The Moody Blues
Dave Clark Five
The Kinks
Herman’s Hermits

13. Bob Dylan
Folk icon who wrote anthems like “Blowin in the Wind” and “Times They Are a Changin”
Influenced by Woody Guthrie and Elvis Presley
Squeaky voice, brilliant lyricist
Covered by EVERYONE it seemed
Created the folk rock blend
Minor hit with “Like a Rolling Stone”

14. Motown Sound Berry Gordy Jr. founded Motown
Based In Detroit (the Motor City)
Studio in his own house
Called it Hitsville USA
Produced dozens of No. 1 hits in 60s
The Funk Brothers (backing musicians)
Song writers like Holland Dozier Holland
Choreography
Etiquette training

15. Motown Greats

16. James Brown
Godfather of funk
The “Soul Man”

17. Four Noteworthy Festivals
Newport Folk Festival 1965: Dylan Plugs In
Monterey 1967: Psychedelic Rock
Woodstock 1969: Hippies Get Mainstreamed
Altamont 1969: 4 Die in Tragedy

18. Jimi Hendrix Guitar virtuoso Died tragically
Innovative use of distortion and pedals
Created a modern sound for the guitar

19. Mamas and Papas