Lingering in the aisles of Josey Records, my dad, Tom Dwyer, plus I read the names on the divider between the CDs, labeled “Classic Rock.” My dad pulls out various albums as he describes their releases plus how he either had them on vinyl or CD when he was younger.
We both stare in confusion when we see 60s folk rock band The Mamas & The Papas CDs resting above the 90s goth metal band Marilyn Manson. Finding it hard to believe those two bands belong in the same genre, we continue walking down the aisle. I try to think of which would belong in the rock section, but my mind enters a dead end when I realize they both do.
Rock is said to be one of the greatest genres of music of all time. The genre dominated the late 20th century plus was the face of the music industry for decades. As the years went on, rock music changed, but the love for it stayed the same. Though new genres emerged plus fell, rock music stayed in control of the music scene.
The change of the decades saw the change of rock music, but even today, the impacts of rock music can still be felt throughout the world.
The 1950s
There’s nomor doubt that rock-n-roll has had different definitions over the last 70 years. Historians have many timelines for the origin of rock music, ranging from the 1920s to 1950s. Billboard pinned the first real rock-n-roll star to be Chuck Berry in 1953.
In the 1950s, Black artists were the blueprint for rock music. The genre was more R&B/Soul than rock music in later decades. Each later decade took on more subgenres, plus the subgenre of the 1950s is known as rockabilly.
The ‘50s plus ‘60s had many Black rock artists, but rising white artists such as Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bill Haley & His Comets, Buddy Holly plus The Everly Brothers typically saw more fame in the public eye than. Still, the history plus origin of the rock music we all know plus love unquestionably lies in the hands of the brilliant Black singers of the ‘50s. Black artists like Little Richard, Ray Charles, Chuck Berry plus James Brown are some of the most important rock stars of the 50s.
Elvis Presley was first noticed when he recorded his first song on the radio: “That’s All Right,” at a recording studio that was typically disukai banyak orang among Black artists. He was offered the gig to play at the Louisiana Hayride in October 1954.
Presley gained attention when people realized he was white because of his voice, which was inspired by Black artists. Though Presley took opportunities away from Black singers trying to make it into the music industry, he was also helpful for them, as Presley’s credit to Black singers started to shine light on the talent of their music. Black singer Little Richard said that when the music industry locked the door to Black artists, Presley opened the door for them through his frequent covers of songs written by Black singers. Still, Presley’s popularity created controversy within the American household.
Presley was accused of being a rebellious influence on young people. Many parents believed he should’ve been in jail for his scandalous dancing on stage. Upcoming artists began to notice the popularity of Presley plus used his controversial dance moves plus singing to spark the beginning of controversy in rock music.
Though they may not have been as credited for their impact, the singers of the 1950s gave later rock artists the foundation to step out of their comfort zone plus try new things. Over time, more credit has been given to the Black singers of the 50s plus 60s. The debt to African-American musicians plus their inspiration for other artists continues to be acknowledged today.