Rock Music Style The Country Roots of Rock Music

Origins of Country Music From British immigrants settled in the Southern and Appalachian rural regions the tradition of old-time folk music was born, mixing various music traditions from the British Isles, religious music and African-American music. Fiddlin’ John Carson from Georgia was one of the first old-time music player whose performance was recorded.

Origins of Country Music Dance music was played with fiddles (violins) and rhythm instruments. Songs are accompanied by a fiddle, a piano, harmonica, guitar or unaccompanied. West Virginia Fiddler, Edden Hammons accompanied by his son, James, on banjo.

Origins of Country Music African-Americans developed banjo and it was adapted by white Americans by the time of the Civil War.

Origins of Country Music Dock Boggs ( ) - an influential singer, song writer and banjo player, mixing old-time Appalachian music and blues.

Origins of Country Music After the old-time music was broadcast on the radio and recording technology was developed, the folk-music from the Southern regions became to be called ‘hillbilly.’

Origins of Country Music Bluegrass - a form of American folk music, whose characteristics is to have from four to seven musicians, inc. rhythm section of guitar and string bass. Bill Monroe ( ) ‘Blue Moon in Kentucky’

Origins of Country Music Honky-tonk - a bar with entertainment music. As its atmosphere is boisterous, it needed louder, heavier, and stronger music. Honky-tonk emphasizes rhythm more than melody and harmony, with a strong beat and boogie- woogie patterns. Hank Williams, “Honky-tonk Blues”

From Country to Rock’n Roll White musicians began to cover blues and R&B recordings, while blues and R&B musicians started covering country music. The styles are combined in various ways and rock’n roll was born.

From Country to Rock’n Roll Bill Haley ( ) was one of the first rock’n roll musician. Coming from Michigan, he was first country singer and guitarist. In 1951, his group, the Saddlemen, covered and recorded ‘Rocket 88’.

From Country to Rock’n Roll Bill Haley’s coverage was a bigger hit but many listeners sought out Joe Turner’s music. Turner’s songs are full of sexual references and his lyrics were incompletely cleaned up by white musicians who covered them.

From Country to Rock’n Roll The record sale was not good. Discovery: his white audience’s enthusiastic response during live performances. Next year, began playing rock’n roll changing their name into Bill Haley and His Comets. Their cover of Big Joe Turner’s ‘Shake, Rattle and Roll’ in the worldwide hit. Their most famous was ‘Rock around the Clock’ though it was unsccessful at its launch.

From Country to Rock’n Roll (Big) Joe Turner ( ) - a jazz and blues singer and also known as ‘shouter’. His hit songs include ‘Chains of Love’ and ‘Sweet Sixteen’ but when Bill Haley and His Comets’ coverage of his ‘Shake, Rattle and Roll’ enhanced his career.

Rockabilly Sam Phillips and Sun Record Founded his record company at the age of 21 and recorded blues as he liked African-American music. By 1951 he founded Sun Record Company.

Rockabilly Sun Studio in Memphis where Elvis Presley and Carl Perkins made their first recordings.

Rockabilly Sam Phillips’ recognition: despite the rising interest in blues and R&B among the white Americans, they tended to buy more often the records of white musicians; sanitized versions. He let white American musicians record African-American music. Discovery of Elvis Presley Formation of rockabilly (rock + hillbilly)

Rockabilly The earliest form of rock’n roll. Combination of blues/ R&B and hillbilly. General tendencies: - Strong rhythm like blues and R&B - Loose twelve-bar structure like blues - Back beat - Tempo is generally faster than blues and R&B - Voice is softer, higher and smoother

Elvis Presley Elvis Presley ( ) is singer and actor - “King of Rock’n Roll: or the King. Began his career as rockabilly musician. His characteristic rendition of existing songs mixing white and black sounds.

Elvis Presley Sun Records to RCA In RCA Presley’s music refined with better recording technology and arrangement: doo- wop-style vocal backings and fine piano accompaniment. ‘Blue Suede Shoes’

Elvis Presley Television Age Presley appeared on TV and excited the teenagers with twisting dance and seductive gaze and voice; scandalized the older generation with them. ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ ‘I Want You, I Need You’ Hound Dog

Elvis Presley ‘Hound Dog’ by Willie Mae ‘Big Mama’ Thornton - The lyrics were sung by a woman to a man who has cheated on her. - Classic blues style ‘Hound Dog by Elvis Presley –The lyrics were sung by a man to a woman who has less value than a hound dog. –More smooth urban blues

Elvis Presley His Rock’n Roll career was cut short when he was drafted for two years. His greatest strength was his silky voice, sensual good look and musical versatility. Returning to civilian life, his music became less provocative and Rock’n Roll type. Various types of music from rock to smooth, pop like love songs.

Rock’n Rollers Carl Perkins ( ) a rockabilly musician and rock’n roller. Successor to Elvis Presley though he wrote his own music. The car accident damaged his career. The composer of ‘Blue Suede Shoes’

Rock’n Rollers Jerry Lee Lewis (1935 Rock’n Roll singer, song writer and pianist. Truly virtuoso piano playing, for which he was nicknamed ‘the killer’. He did not sanitize lyrics, when he covered African American music ‘Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ on’

Critical Thinking Questions What sort of decade was the 1950s, particularly in America. How was Rock’n Roll connected to this decade? - Culture, trends, economy, other media - What were the music and images of Rock’n Roll musicians?

Critical Thinking Questions Rebelliousness Can you find any equivalence to Rock’n Rollers today? What gender, class and racial issues do you find in Rock’n Roll music?