1. Middle School Music THE HISTORY OF ROCK AND ROLL

2. Rock Music in the Fifties In the early 1950's new recording technologies such as the long playing album, jukeboxes, electric guitars and electric bass guitars are created. These new technologies change the way people create and listen to music. A huge change also occurs in what people are listening to and what records they are buying. White teenagers begin listening to traditionally African American music such as Rhythm & Blues.

3. The Fifties Continued Blues, boogie, jazz, gospel, R&B vocal groups, and country begins to influence the music created by both African American and white musicians. The new music style is eventually given a name - Rock and Roll. By 1953 and 1954 hit songs from the R&B Charts begin to cross over to the Top 40 Pop Charts. In 1955 Rock and Roll has its first nationwide #1 hit when Bill Haley's "Rock Around The Clock" tops the charts. At first, it is considered a fad by most. In 1955 African American R&B artists Little Richard and Chuck Berry score big Pop hits.

4. The Fifties Continued In January 1956 Elvis Presley tops the Pop Charts with his first single release “Heartbreak Hotel”. By the end of the year he would be the first artist ever to have nine singles in the Hot 100 at one time. By 1957 rock and roll artists dominate the popular music charts and in 1959 rock and roll records account for 43% of all records sold. The end of the decade is marked by tragedy as a February 1959 plane crash takes the lives of rock and roll stars Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens.

5. Fifties Genres and Artists Rhythm & Blues: Little Richard, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Ray Charles, BB King Pre-Rock / Pop: Doris Day, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin Folk Revival: Pete Seeger, The Weavers, The Kingston Trio Rock & Roll / Rockabilly: Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash

6. Rock Music in the Sixties In the sixties rock music owns the popular music charts. Elvis Presley continues to score hits in the early part of the decade. Music continues to diversify with the folk revival, girl groups and surf music. Labels bring more African-American artists to the pop charts. By 1964 American artists are sharing the charts with U.K. bands such as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. In the U.S. garage bands emerge, inspired by the British Invasion.

7. The Sixties Continued Sixties song writing moves beyond pop love songs and begins to include social and political issues. Later in the sixties psychedelic music reflects hippie culture. Bubblegum music is created to generate radio friendly music. In the sixties, television becomes a major force in rock music as networks try to attract a younger audience. American Bandstand contributes afternoon teen idol format, while the Ed Sullivan Show and other variety shows begin showcasing rock bands.

8. The Sixties Continued In the late sixties outdoor rock music festivals begin. In the summer of 1969 the Woodstock Music & Art Fair draws 500,000 people to a three day concert in New York. The Beatles dominate the sixties record charts with 6 of the top 10 albums of the decade and 21 of the decades' top 100 singles. Their nearest competitor is Elvis Presley with 9 of the decades' top 100 singles and 4 of the decades' top 100 albums.

9. Sixties Genres and Artists 60's Soul: Otis Redding, Issaac Hayes, Aretha Franklin British Invasion: The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Kinks Psychedelic Rock: Grateful Dead, Pink Floyd, Jefferson Airplane Hard Rock: Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Doors Folk Revival: Bob Dylan, Peter Paul & Mary, Gordon Lightfoot Motown: The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, The Jackson Five

10. Rock Music in the Seventies The Beatles break up in 1970, but all four members continue to have successful solo careers. The early seventies are marked by the deaths of Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison who all die at the age of 27. Psychedelic music declines, but changes into hard rock and heavy metal. Touring bands move from playing clubs to playing sports arenas. Big time bands, such as the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, The Who and Led Zeppelin travel in private jets and play to thousands in arenas and stadiums.

11. The Seventies Continued A clear distinction emerges between Top 40 radio and rock radio stations. Car stereos become common, first with FM radios, then 8-Track tapes, followed by cassette tapes. The early seventies are dominated by singer songwriters and soft rock. Reggae moves out of Jamaica to become a world- wide genre. Disco dominates the radio and dance floors in the late seventies. Punk rock emerges in the late seventies and bands begin incorporating synthesizers instead of just drums and guitars. The hugely popular Elvis Presley dies in 1977 at age 42. Huge crowds flock to his Memphis home, Graceland.

12. Seventies Genres and Artists Heavy Metal: Led Zeppelin, The Who, The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, AC/DC Country Rock: The Eagles, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Neil Young Punk Rock: The Ramones, The Clash, Patti Smith Blues Rock: Eric Clapton, Steve Miller Band, Bad Company Reggae: Bob Marley and the Wailers, Peter Tosh Singer Songwriters: James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon, John Denver, Carly Simon Soft Rock: Elton John, The Carpenters, Billy Joel, Fleetwood Mac Pop: ABBA, Jackson Five, Cher, Rod Stewart, Barbara Streisand, Dianna Ross R&B / Urban: Stevie Wonder, Bill Withers, Al Green, Marvin Gaye, Issaac Hayes

13. Rock Music in the Eighties John Lennon, one of the former members of The Beatles is assassinated by a fan in 1980 just as he was coming back into the public eye with a new album. MTV (Music Television) is launched on 300 cable TV systems in 1981. By 1983 MTV is available on 2,000 cable systems and is extremely popular. MTV is dedicated to playing music of all genres and is watched across the world.

14. The Eighties Continued VH1 (another American cable network) is launched in 1984 with a more classic rock format. The prevalence of music videos as a 24/7 marketing tool is influential in bringing numerous new bands and music styles into the mainstream, including heavy metal, synthpop and new wave. Rap and Hip-Hop music also begins to gain popularity with successful artists such as the Beastie Boys, Run DMC and LL Cool J.

15. The Eighties Continued The number of successful female artists across many different genres, such as Whitney Houston, Madonna and Paula Abdul is reflected in singles and album sales. Records and concerts to benefit charity are supported by many rock music artists. These include Band Aid, We Are The World, plus the Live Aid and Farm Aid concerts.

16. Eighties Genres and Artists Rap/Hip-Hop: Run DMC, LL Cool J, Salt n Peppa, Public Enemy, Beastie Boys R&B / Urban: Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson Pop: Madonna, Bryan Adams, Paula Abdul, Billy Joel, Phil Collins, Kylie Minogue Mainstream Rock: Tom Petty, Aerosmith, Journey, Bon Jovi Heavy Metal: Iron Maiden, AC/DC, Ozzy Osbourne Hair/Glam Metal: Motley Crue, Poison, Guns & Roses Thrash/Speed Metal: Slayer, Metallica, Megadeth Alternative: R.E.M., Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Jane's Addiction, Nine Inch Nails

17. Rock Music in the Nineties Alternative Rock becomes popular and explodes into the mainstream during the 1990's. Many alternative bands, including REM, The Smashing Pumpkins, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, and grunge bands like Nirvana, and Pearl Jam become mainstream. Electronic music becomes more mainstream as well. In the 90's Hip-Hop continues to expand in influence and grow in diversity. With huge growth in sales, radio airplay and overall success for artists like Public Enemy, Queen Latifah, Salt n' Pepa, Ice T, Dr. Dre, Eminem, Tupac Shakur, Cypress Hill and many others.

18. The Nineties Continued Pop and teen-pop becomes popular with the Backstreet Boys, *NSYNC, Hanson and The Spice Girls having major success. Late in the decade female teen pop artists such as Jennifer Lopez, Destiny's Child, Christina Aguilera, and Britney Spears become popular. R&B also scores big with Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and TLC. Female songwriters such as Sarah McLachlan, Alanis Morissette, Jewel, and Sheryl Crow become popular. The internet becomes a factor in how music is listened to, taking away the need for artists to have a major label album release.

19. Nineties Genres and Artists Alternative: REM, Smashing Pumpkins, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Pearl Jam, Radiohead Pop Punk: Green Day, The Offspring, Blink 182 Pop: Backstreet Boys, *NSYNC, Hanson, The Spice Girls, Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears Songwriters: Sarah McLachlan, Alanis Morissette, Tori Amos, Jewel, Sheryl Crow R&B: Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, TLC, Celine Dion, Boys II Men Metal: Kid Rock, Rage Against the Machine, Metallica Hip Hop: Dr. Dre, Tupac Shakur, Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z, Eminem, Country: Garth Brooks, Faith Hill, Shania Twain