History of American Music Rock and roll 1955 - 1981

Rock and Roll Rock and Roll is the genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the US during the late 1940’s and early 1950’s. Rock and Roll is a combination of predominantly African-American genres such as blues, jazz, and gospel.

1950’s – The Birth of Rock and Roll Rock and Roll music is born in the 1950’s from a fusion of electric blues, country and gospel music. The early 50’s were dominated by remnants of the big band era, which then transferred into Rock and Roll. Doris Day, Frankie Lane, Frank Sinatra, Rosemary Clooney, Elvis Presley and Nat King Cole.

1960’s Expanding the Boundaries The 60’s rock music comes of age and dominates the popular music charts. Rock diversifies with new styles such as surf, soul, folk rock, the British invasion, psychedelic and hard rock. Television became a factor and prime time variety shows. Bob Dylan, The Supremes, The Beach Boys, The Jackson Five, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones.

1970’s – Rock Becomes Big Business The early seventies are marked by the death of Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison. Pyschedelic music declines, but morphs into hard rock, progressive rock and heavy metal. Touring bands start playing in concert halls and sports arenas rather than small night clubs. James Taylor, Elton John, Billy Joel, Abba, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Bee Gees, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Bruce Springsteen, Pink Floyd, The Ramones, Blondie

1980’s – The Influence of Technology MTV (Music Television) is launched on the cable system 1981. The prevalence of music videos is influential in bringing numerous new bands to many people. The early 1980’s influence of hip hop and rap – rock and roll took a back seat.

1955 1955 brings Rock and Roll’s first #1 single – “Rock Around the Clock” by Bill Haley & his Comets on the billboard charts Top 40 radio is still dominated by “parent music” – and Rock and Roll was a “novelty” for the kids. Urban and southern white teenagers are turning to R&B radio stations and purchasing R&B records.

1956 RCA releases Elvis Presley’s first single “Heartbreak Hotel” – this song would be on the pop charts at #1 for seven weeks. Sun Records artist Johnny Cash hits #1 with single “I Walk The Line” Country music starts to cross over to Pop and Rock and Roll charts.

1957 DJ Alan Freed moves from Cleveland to New York City to start putting more Rock and Roll on the mainstream radios. Alan Freed’s short lived TV show “The Big Beat” and “American Bandstand” make way onto TV stations promoting Pop and Rock and Roll music Sun Records sign new artist Jerry Lee Lewis, who was Elvis Presely’s main musical “rival”

1958 Billboard introduces the Hot 100 Singles, a chart that tabulates both store sales and airplay. Elvis gets drafted into the Army – serves two years stationed in Germany. Entertainer Chuck Berry continues to reach top ten billboard success with hits like “Johnny Be Good”. Chart topping star Jerry Lee Lewis’ career suffers after it is discovered that he is married to his thirteen year old second cousin.

1959 A tragic plane crash in Iowa kills three of rock music’s biggest starts – Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper, and Ritchie Vallens. Motown music is formed in Detroit by Berry Gordy. Rock and Roll accounts for 43% of all records sold in the US.