1. The Reaction to Rock

2. Civic Reaction Rock is…Rock is… –unwholesome –obscene –morally corrupting –encourages racial integration

3. Reaction from major record labels: How do we cash in on this????How do we cash in on this???? How do we make it acceptable to white America?How do we make it acceptable to white America?

4. The Major Label Takeover - Cover versions of rock and roll hits Cover versions of rock and roll hits Take advantage of weaknesses of small labels Take advantage of weaknesses of small labels Create teen idols Create teen idols Hire songwriters to pen “rock n’ roll songs” Hire songwriters to pen “rock n’ roll songs” Create dance crazes for the kids Create dance crazes for the kids

5. Cover Versions Cover Versions R&B hits, early rock songs re-recorded by white artists on major labelsR&B hits, early rock songs re-recorded by white artists on major labels –Potentially offensive lyrics changed –Performed by teen idol –Appeal to mainstream audience

6. Take advantage of scandal Take advantage of scandal PayolaPayola –Congressional committee investigates charges that independent companies paying DJs to play their records –Used to force several indie labels out of business, attack rock

7. Scandals, part 2 Jerry Lee Lewis marries 13 year old cousin while still married to previous wifeJerry Lee Lewis marries 13 year old cousin while still married to previous wife Chuck Berry arrested and imprisonedChuck Berry arrested and imprisoned “The Day The Music Died” - 3 Feb. 1959“The Day The Music Died” - 3 Feb. 1959 Elvis drafted in late 1958Elvis drafted in late 1958

8. Create Teen Idols Create Teen Idols Major labels manufacture “rock and rollers”Major labels manufacture “rock and rollers” White, good looking, teen idol typesWhite, good looking, teen idol types –Fabian (Fabian Forte, 1943- ) –Frankie Avalon (1940- ) –Bobby Rydell (1942- ) Pop music with rock and roll flavoringPop music with rock and roll flavoring

9. Hire professional songwriters Hire professional songwriters Aldon Music Co. = Brill BuildingAldon Music Co. = Brill Building Songwriters hired to create “rock and roll hits”Songwriters hired to create “rock and roll hits” –Pop crafted songs with teen themes, rock sensibilities –Occasionally artists produced pop rock hits of some note Ricky NelsonRicky Nelson Dion and the BelmontsDion and the Belmonts

10. Brill Building songwriters Gerry Goffin and Carole KingGerry Goffin and Carole King Neil SedakaNeil Sedaka Paul AnkaPaul Anka Jerry Lieber and Mike StollerJerry Lieber and Mike Stoller

11. “The New Tin Pan Alley” Distinctive, homogenous soundDistinctive, homogenous sound Popular songs heavily influenced by doo- wopPopular songs heavily influenced by doo- wop More animated beat, more storytelling elementsMore animated beat, more storytelling elements Harmonically simpleHarmonically simple Many layers of soundMany layers of sound

12. Multi-track recording Different layers of song recorded on to audio tape = overdubbedDifferent layers of song recorded on to audio tape = overdubbed Mixed onto master tapeMixed onto master tape Effects added to any or all layersEffects added to any or all layers Then committed to acetateThen committed to acetate Controlled by the producerControlled by the producer

13. The Producer Selects which arrangement, takes are usedSelects which arrangement, takes are used Can use overdubbing to add instruments, sounds, etc.Can use overdubbing to add instruments, sounds, etc. Approves (if doesn’t do) mixApproves (if doesn’t do) mix –Relative levels of each track –Effects: changes to audio signal Echo or reverbEcho or reverb PanningPanning CompressionCompression PhasingPhasing

14. Phil Spector (1940- ) Part of Brill Building crowdPart of Brill Building crowd Thought of pop songs as “symphonies for the kiddies”Thought of pop songs as “symphonies for the kiddies” Spector wall of soundSpector wall of sound –Thick, full textures created by overdubbing –Large orchestra with lots of percussion –Pre-recorded sounds –Background vocals –Rock ensemble –Group

15. Shirelles – Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow Fairly quick tempoFairly quick tempo 4 bar intro4 bar intro Form: five 16-bar phrases, each AABAForm: five 16-bar phrases, each AABA –End-weighted to end of section Lead vocals plus doo-wop style accompanimentLead vocals plus doo-wop style accompaniment

16. Shirelles – Will You Still Love Me... Rhythmic layersRhythmic layers –Beat –8 beat rock rhythm Second beat of measure subdivided into 2 parts - rebound backbeatSecond beat of measure subdivided into 2 parts - rebound backbeat Common in Brill Building hitsCommon in Brill Building hits Lyrics - Not typical Brill Building fare!Lyrics - Not typical Brill Building fare! Heavily ProducedHeavily Produced

17. Girl Groups Trios or quartets of female singersTrios or quartets of female singers Sound controlled by producerSound controlled by producer Image controlled by producer, labelImage controlled by producer, label Marketed to appeal to young, female audienceMarketed to appeal to young, female audience

18. Pop rock Electric bass replaces acoustic bassElectric bass replaces acoustic bass Melodic diffusion: distribution of melodic ideas throughout parts of songMelodic diffusion: distribution of melodic ideas throughout parts of song More balanced textureMore balanced texture Greater variety of formsGreater variety of forms “Sound” defines song“Sound” defines song

19. American Bandstand Began broadcasting from Philadelphia in 1957Began broadcasting from Philadelphia in 1957 Projected clean-cut, safe, mostly white image of rock and rollProjected clean-cut, safe, mostly white image of rock and roll Launched careers of teen idolsLaunched careers of teen idols Created & promoted dance crazesCreated & promoted dance crazes

20. Create dance crazes Create dance crazes Dances created to go with popular songsDances created to go with popular songs –Often include instructions for dance Manufactured by Brill Building (or other professional) writersManufactured by Brill Building (or other professional) writers Many recorded by Chubby CheckerMany recorded by Chubby Checker

21. Dance records All similar in styleAll similar in style –Rely on 12-bar blues as verse or refrain –Straight rock ensemble, with backing vocals –Not heavily produced –Strong beat Help to remove stigma of rockHelp to remove stigma of rock Ex. The TwistEx. The Twist