Rock and roll opponents

1. Rock and roll opponents • James W. Houchins Jr. • Sociology A490 Summer term 2014 UAA

2. Did Rock and Roll’s opposition have anything in common? I mean in common besides the protection of children from what the threat they called Rock and Roll. For instance religious affiliation? Social groups? Political parties?

3. Violence did happen • We cannot argue that violence did occur in rocks early days but was it the music's fault or the fault of society for trying to censor choice? • That could be a another presentation full of debate and speculation but let us focus on specifics

4. The purpose of this presentation • I attempted to locate as many opponents as possible to compare backgrounds and look for similarities • I found more information on famous opponents than the average American • I have attempted to uncover as many if any similarities between the opponents of rock and roll looking for another common link between them • What has been portrayed so far as the only link is they agree rock and roll is bad for society • Let’s begin with some of the well known opponents

6. Frank Sinatra 1915-1998 • Frank Sinatra was an early opponent of Rock and Roll. • “My only deep sorrow is the unrelenting insistence of recording and motion picture companies upon purveying the most brutal, ugly, degenerate, vicious form of expression it has been my displeasure to hear—Naturally I refer to the bulk of rock ’n’ roll”(Sinatra 1957). • Ironically in 1960 he performed with Elvis on an ABC TV special. • He professed to be a Catholic but in a 1963 Playboy interview he expressed his frustration with organized religion. • At the time of his quote about rock and roll he was a democrat. In the 70’s he became a republican.

7. Dr. Francis Braceland • A man with a stellar reputation called rock and roll "communicable disease with music appealing to adolescent insecurity and driving teenagers to do outlandish things... It's cannibalistic and tribulistic..(Braceland 1956). • Former chief psychiatrist of the Institute of Living, in HartfordCt. 1951-1965 • Physician to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. • Special witness at the Nuremberg trials in Germany • Religious affiliation Catholic

8. I could not find any evidence if Dr. Braceland thoroughly researched the effects of rock and roll or if he just commented based on his experience.

9. Asa Earl Carter 1925-1979

10. Noted Klan member and later a part of the white citizens council • As Satzmary pointed out in the text Carter stated rock and roll is a “plot to mongrelize America.” • I could not find a religious affiliation for Carter. • The only group affiliation I found was the white citizens council.

11. Martin Luther King Jr. 1929-1978 • Author Glen Altshuler researched that Martin Luther King, Jr. found rock ‘n’ roll and gospel music “totally incompatible,” asserting that rock music “often plunges men's minds into degrading and immoral depths.” (Altshuler 2003).

12. Dr. King was a Baptist minister so he held a Christian viewpoint. • I found the only organizations he was affiliated with were the NAACP and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference

13. The military joined the fight against rock and roll • Rear Admiral Ralph D. Earl Jr. was the commanding officer of Newport Rhode Island Naval Base. • A fight broke out during a Fats Domino concert when the lights went out • Although black and white sailors were involved race was not a factor.

14. What I discovered • These are a few examples of some of the more prominent opponents. • My hypothesis was wrong since some of our opponents did have Christianity in common.