The Birth of Rock & Roll

1. The Birth of Rock & Roll Inventions/Innovations in the 1950’s Influential Musicians /Changes to Rock Music

2. Inventions • Late 1940’s Electric Piano is invented. • 1948 -= The long-playing 33 1/3 rpm record is introduced. • Early 1950’s – Leo Fender designs the Telecaster and the Stratocaster Electric Guitars. • 1955 The first synthesizer is built. • 1950’s Technological advances include tape redording and stereo.

3. Life in the 1950’s • Read the article on the “Black and White Decade” • Think about how 1950’s life was depicted in TV shows and movies. • 1. Leave it to Beaver • 2. The Andy Griffith Show • 3. Happy Days • 4. I Love Lucy • 5. Grease Write down 5 things about how growing up in the 1950’s is different that today.

4. Instruments of Early Rock n Roll • The Rock n Roll bands were smaller than the Big Bands of the 1940’s. • Each Rock n Roll group typically featured the rhythm section – Drums, Bass, Piano, Guitar- plus a singer and sometimes solo wind instruments like a saxophone, trumpet or trombone. • Most of the music was written out and used 3 chords that repeated throughout with an active rhythm and bass groove. Not only were there less chords than jazz, improvisation used in the jazz performances was virtually eliminated with the exception of a few solo spots.

5. Rock n Roll – Dance Music • Much of the Rock n Roll music was written to be danced to…just like the Big Band music. • The role of the singer became far more important and writing lyrics that reflected the lives of teenagers became the main theme of many early Rock n Roll tunes. • Rock n Roll target audience was teenagers as they often chose to rebel against there parents.

6. Influential Rock Musicians- Bill Haley and the Comets • In the Spring of 1955, MGM released the movie “The Blackboard Jungle” about a high school teacher and his rebellious students. The opening credits featured the song “Rock around the Clock”. • Rock around the Clock created a nationwide sensation and the song shot to #1 . This is often considered the beginning of the Rock & Roll Era.

7. Influential Rock Musicians- Chuck Berry • Chuck Berry – was one of the most important figures in the development of rock ‘n’ roll. His witty song lyrics about teenage life still crackle with energy and have come to personify the rock n roll sound. • Johnny B. Goode written by Chuck Berry was one of the top 10 Rock & Roll tunes of the 1950’s. • Berry’s most original contribution to Rock music was to fill his songs full of details about teenage lifestyle and dreams from the clothes they wore to the cars they dreamed of driving.

8. Influential Rock Musicians- Elvis Presley • Elvis Presley was called the King of Rock n Roll. • He grew up playing guitar and singing Gospel Music • Elvis’s wild stage act with had many suggestive dancing that caused an uproar where ever he performed. • In his first television appearance, they would only show him dancing from the waist up as the TV networks thought it was too . • His big hits included: “Heartbreak Hotel, All Shook Up, Love me Tender, Hound and Jailhouse Rock” to name a few.

9. Influential Rock Musicians- Buddy Holly • Buddy Holly was only 22 years old when he died in an airplane accident. But in a very short life, contributed a considerable amount to Rock n Roll music. This was one of the most tragic events in Rock history and is often referred to as “the day the music died”. • 1. One of the first singers to write and perform his own music. • 2. He formed is own band with a regular instrumentation of: lead guitar, rhythm guitar, bass and drums. (This became the standard instrumentation of most rock bands.) • 3. He was one of the first artists to work extensively in the studio with producers creating “new sounds” for his music.

10. Influential Rock musicians- Jerry Lee Lewis Great Balls of Fire Whole LottaShakinGoin on Jerry Lee Lewis trademark was his aggressive piano playing in his live performances.