History of Rock & Roll Chapter 2 Rhythm and Blues

Rhythm & Blues R & B replaced the term Race Records in Billboard magazine 1949R & B replaced the term Race Records in Billboard magazine 1949 Hillbilly was also changed to Country & Western same yearHillbilly was also changed to Country & Western same year Stronger and faster rhythms for the dance floorStronger and faster rhythms for the dance floor Reflected high spirits after WWIIReflected high spirits after WWII

Boogie-Woogie May have come from Texas and Louisiana but gained popularity in ChicagoMay have come from Texas and Louisiana but gained popularity in Chicago Piano version of 12 bar blues with emphasis on rhythm rather than lyricsPiano version of 12 bar blues with emphasis on rhythm rather than lyrics BW was first used in 1928 “Pine Top’s Boogie Woogie” by Clarence Pine Top SmithBW was first used in 1928 “Pine Top’s Boogie Woogie” by Clarence Pine Top Smith Jimmy Yancey father of BW, Jimmie Rodgers and Robert Johnson first inductees into R&R Hall of Fame Early Influences categoryJimmy Yancey father of BW, Jimmie Rodgers and Robert Johnson first inductees into R&R Hall of Fame Early Influences category

Big Band Swing Pop dance music of 30s and 40sPop dance music of 30s and 40s Pioneers Fletcher Henderson, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Paul Whitehead, Glenn Miller, Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey and Benny Goodman the King of SwingPioneers Fletcher Henderson, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Paul Whitehead, Glenn Miller, Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey and Benny Goodman the King of Swing 5 Trumpets and Trombones, 4 Sax & clarinet players, 4 rhythm players of piano, guitar, bass, and drums5 Trumpets and Trombones, 4 Sax & clarinet players, 4 rhythm players of piano, guitar, bass, and drums 4 beats per bar, walking bass line4 beats per bar, walking bass line Primarily instrumental with a guest vocalistPrimarily instrumental with a guest vocalist

Frank Sinatra Featured vocalist with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey big bandsFeatured vocalist with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey big bands His success shifted focus from instrumentalists to vocalistsHis success shifted focus from instrumentalists to vocalists Tremendous sense of melody and timing imitated by rockers whose music he hatedTremendous sense of melody and timing imitated by rockers whose music he hated

Nat “King” Cole One of the first black artists to achieve popularity with white adult listenersOne of the first black artists to achieve popularity with white adult listeners Hits “Straighten Up and Fly Right” and “Route 66”, “Christmas Song”, “Mona Lisa”, “Unforgettable”Hits “Straighten Up and Fly Right” and “Route 66”, “Christmas Song”, “Mona Lisa”, “Unforgettable”

Popular Music Produced to appeal to as wide an audience as possibleProduced to appeal to as wide an audience as possible After swing dance bands died out after the war and the baby boom pop music went light, sentimental and cuteAfter swing dance bands died out after the war and the baby boom pop music went light, sentimental and cute #1 song in 1953 “How Much Is That Doggie In The Window”#1 song in 1953 “How Much Is That Doggie In The Window”

Rhythm & Blues & Dancehall R&B WW II rationing of tires, gas and other materials caused bands to get smallerWW II rationing of tires, gas and other materials caused bands to get smaller “Jump blues” bands played a big dance beat with fewer players“Jump blues” bands played a big dance beat with fewer players

Louis Jordan Made the blues jumpMade the blues jump Swing riffs, boogie bass lines, shuffling dance beats, humorous lyrics like “Caldonia”Swing riffs, boogie bass lines, shuffling dance beats, humorous lyrics like “Caldonia” Big influence on Chuck Berry and Bill HaleyBig influence on Chuck Berry and Bill Haley

The “Majors” and “Indies” Major record labels began to suffer as independent (Indies) recorded R&B and began crossing over to the pop chartsMajor record labels began to suffer as independent (Indies) recorded R&B and began crossing over to the pop charts Chess, Sun, King, Atlantic and Motown started as IndiesChess, Sun, King, Atlantic and Motown started as Indies

The West Coast & Johnny Otis One of the great bandleaders and talent scouts of the 50sOne of the great bandleaders and talent scouts of the 50s Discovered Etta James, Jackie Wilson, the Robins (Coasters)Discovered Etta James, Jackie Wilson, the Robins (Coasters) Biggest hit “Willie and the Hand Jive”Biggest hit “Willie and the Hand Jive”

“Hound Dog” vs. “Doggie in the Window” Big Mama Thornton’s “Hound Dog” was #1 in R&B while “Doggie in the Window was best seller.Big Mama Thornton’s “Hound Dog” was #1 in R&B while “Doggie in the Window was best seller. One was tough blues the other light popOne was tough blues the other light pop Elvis turned “Hound Dog” into one of rock & roll’s greatestElvis turned “Hound Dog” into one of rock & roll’s greatest

“Rocket 88” Recorded by Jackie Brenston a sax player with Ike Turner (from Miss. Delta) in Sam Phillip’s studio, (Memphis future home to Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash) leased to Chess records in (Chicago)Recorded by Jackie Brenston a sax player with Ike Turner (from Miss. Delta) in Sam Phillip’s studio, (Memphis future home to Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash) leased to Chess records in (Chicago) Fuzzy sounding guitar from a broken speaker which later led to Fuzz box invention years later on Stones “Satisfaction”Fuzzy sounding guitar from a broken speaker which later led to Fuzz box invention years later on Stones “Satisfaction” Bill Haley “covered” it in 1951Bill Haley “covered” it in 1951 Was about a model of OldsmobileWas about a model of Oldsmobile

Atlantic Records Produced classiest R&B, not as raw or crude sounding as Rocket 88Produced classiest R&B, not as raw or crude sounding as Rocket 88 Included Ray Charles, the Drifters, the Coasters, Ruth Brown and Joe TurnerIncluded Ray Charles, the Drifters, the Coasters, Ruth Brown and Joe Turner Great boogie based, sax band arrangementsGreat boogie based, sax band arrangements

Ruth Brown Famous for “Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean”, “Teardrops from My Eyes”Famous for “Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean”, “Teardrops from My Eyes” Her songs too adult or R&B for pop market of teenagersHer songs too adult or R&B for pop market of teenagers Had a greater voice than singers who were able to cross over to Rock & RollHad a greater voice than singers who were able to cross over to Rock & Roll

Joe Turner Shouted blues with a big voice, an upbeat boogie-woogie beat that gave him the name of Big Joe TurnerShouted blues with a big voice, an upbeat boogie-woogie beat that gave him the name of Big Joe Turner Famous for “Shake, Rattle & Roll” in 1954Famous for “Shake, Rattle & Roll” in 1954 Also Atlantic artist with other hits “Honey Hush”Also Atlantic artist with other hits “Honey Hush”

Vocal Groups Vocal singing groups first to be called rock & roll in 50sVocal singing groups first to be called rock & roll in 50s After ushering in rock & roll, doo-wop vocal singing was popularAfter ushering in rock & roll, doo-wop vocal singing was popular

The Ink Spots Smooth non-threatening sound and well chosen songs proved black groups could find success with white audiencesSmooth non-threatening sound and well chosen songs proved black groups could find success with white audiences Far removed from the harsh realism of the bluesFar removed from the harsh realism of the blues “If I Didn’t Care”“If I Didn’t Care”

The Orioles Show stopping regulars at Harlem’s Apollo TheaterShow stopping regulars at Harlem’s Apollo Theater “Crying In The Chapel” first crossover to climb the charts“Crying In The Chapel” first crossover to climb the charts

Alan Freed - Birth of the term “Rock & Roll” Used the term to avoid the racial overtones of Rhythm and BluesUsed the term to avoid the racial overtones of Rhythm and Blues DJ in Cleveland then in New YorkDJ in Cleveland then in New York Supported black originators over white imposters, opened many doors for black artistsSupported black originators over white imposters, opened many doors for black artists Payola scandal ended his careerPayola scandal ended his career Admitted to accepting money to play certain records by recording labelsAdmitted to accepting money to play certain records by recording labels

1951: The Clovers and Five Keys The Clovers first hits were written by Ahmet Ertegun of Atlantic Records.The Clovers first hits were written by Ahmet Ertegun of Atlantic Records. “Don’t You Know I Love You So?” and “Fool, Fool, Fool”“Don’t You Know I Love You So?” and “Fool, Fool, Fool” The Five Keys recorded “The Glory of Love.”The Five Keys recorded “The Glory of Love.”

Billy Ward & His Dominoes Their song “Sixty Minute Man” influenced DJ Alan Freed to use the term “rock and roll.”Their song “Sixty Minute Man” influenced DJ Alan Freed to use the term “rock and roll.” Their song lyrics were considered to be immoral and downright obscene.Their song lyrics were considered to be immoral and downright obscene. PTA and other groups protested.PTA and other groups protested.

Gospel Influences “Have Mercy Baby” sung by Clyde McPhatter was #1 hit in 1952“Have Mercy Baby” sung by Clyde McPhatter was #1 hit in 1952 AA: Have mercy mercy baby, I know I done you wrong (repeat)AA: Have mercy mercy baby, I know I done you wrong (repeat) B: Now my heart is full with sorrow, so take me back where I belongB: Now my heart is full with sorrow, so take me back where I belong AA: I’ve been a good for nothin', I’ve lied and cheated too (repeat)AA: I’ve been a good for nothin', I’ve lied and cheated too (repeat) B: But I reaped it all, my darlin’ and I don’t know what to doB: But I reaped it all, my darlin’ and I don’t know what to do

Gospel Influences “Have Mercy Baby” is a plea for forgiveness with a blues and gospel formula“Have Mercy Baby” is a plea for forgiveness with a blues and gospel formula Replace baby with Lord and it’s a gospel songReplace baby with Lord and it’s a gospel song Ray Charles and James Brown would use this style alsoRay Charles and James Brown would use this style also

Clyde McPhatter & the Drifters Famous for “Up on the Roof” and “Under the Boardwalk”Famous for “Up on the Roof” and “Under the Boardwalk” One of the longest careers of the singing groups on Atlantic recordsOne of the longest careers of the singing groups on Atlantic records

The “5” Royales Recorded on King Records and Apollo Records.Recorded on King Records and Apollo Records. The group was a big star on the R&B concert circuit.The group was a big star on the R&B concert circuit. They never made it into the pop charts.They never made it into the pop charts. Several of their songs were hits for other artists.Several of their songs were hits for other artists.

Hank Ballard & the Midnighters Discovered by Johnny Otis.Discovered by Johnny Otis. First hit was 1954’s “Work With Me Annie.”First hit was 1954’s “Work With Me Annie.” This led to a series of “Annie” songs.This led to a series of “Annie” songs. Their “Annie” songs inspired Etta James to write “Roll With Me Henry.”Their “Annie” songs inspired Etta James to write “Roll With Me Henry.”

Crossovers and Covers Crossover means from R&B to Rock & RollCrossover means from R&B to Rock & Roll 1954 was the year of the crossovers1954 was the year of the crossovers R&B could not be considered a fadR&B could not be considered a fad Young audiences liked their music with a beat so they could danceYoung audiences liked their music with a beat so they could dance They liked the lyrics that their parents didn’t approve ofThey liked the lyrics that their parents didn’t approve of

“Gee” 1954 hit by the Crows1954 hit by the Crows Made famous by a DJ who played it over and over for a girl friend who liked the songMade famous by a DJ who played it over and over for a girl friend who liked the song Background singers singing ooh- wah or dum-dee-dum led to doo- wop soundBackground singers singing ooh- wah or dum-dee-dum led to doo- wop sound

“Sh-Boom” “Sh-Boom” was a crossover hit for the Chords“Sh-Boom” was a crossover hit for the Chords 1954 “Sh-Boom” peaked at #51954 “Sh-Boom” peaked at #5 White group Crew Cuts also made a versionWhite group Crew Cuts also made a version

Rock & Roll Under Covers Major record companies began to steal or cover songs by IndiesMajor record companies began to steal or cover songs by Indies Hoping to beat the Indies to the pop chartsHoping to beat the Indies to the pop charts “Earth Angel” cover by Crew Cuts now forgotten for original by the Penguins“Earth Angel” cover by Crew Cuts now forgotten for original by the Penguins

Bill Haley & His Comets “Rock Around The Clock” was the 1 st Rock & Roll hit to go #1 on the pop charts“Rock Around The Clock” was the 1 st Rock & Roll hit to go #1 on the pop charts Teenagers bought it which identified a powerful new marketTeenagers bought it which identified a powerful new market Bill Haley is prelude to the King of Rock & Roll ElvisBill Haley is prelude to the King of Rock & Roll Elvis

Shake, Rattle & Roll Bill Haley covered Joe Turner’s “Shake Rattle & Roll”Bill Haley covered Joe Turner’s “Shake Rattle & Roll” Arrangement was polished into a bright and cheery pop sound with clearly sung melodies away from bluesy adult shoutArrangement was polished into a bright and cheery pop sound with clearly sung melodies away from bluesy adult shout

See You Later, Alligator Bill Haley’s last big hit in 1956Bill Haley’s last big hit in 1956 Credited for opening Rock & Roll market for white performersCredited for opening Rock & Roll market for white performers Confirmed Rock & Roll was R&B and could be popular music alsoConfirmed Rock & Roll was R&B and could be popular music also Died a bitter, paranoid man in 1981 as a one hit wonderDied a bitter, paranoid man in 1981 as a one hit wonder