1.2 WORKSHEET 1, CONT.

In this lesson, we will complete Worksheet 1.

Read this lesson, and answer the questions on the 2nd page of Worksheet 1  (reminder: You do NOT turn in the worksheets. You KEEP them to study for the tests).

THE WORLD BEFORE ROCK AND ROLL

Every generation has its own technology to deal with. I grew up with a TV that had only 3 channels - my kids were born with remotes and smart phones in their hands!

I personally find it fascinating that less than 150 years ago, there was no manufactured music! In that simpler time, people had to wait for a Saturday night dance, or to sing the hymns in church on Sunday, to actually hear music.

Travel and communication were also quite limited in the past. Because of this, music had its own regional accents in different areas. For example, the music of Chicago sounded quite different that the music of New Orleans.  As travel, communication, and societal norms slowly changed, so did music.

KEY ITEM: Rock and roll was the blending of 3 styles that came together: gospel music, rhythm and blues, and country and western music. These diverse styles at one time did not have much to do with each other, with each style having its own following. 

GOSPEL MUSIC

Watch this short clip describing gospel music's influence:

THE INFLUENCE OF GOSPEL MUSIC Links to an external site.

When the songs played on the radio seemed somewhat sedate, the gospel music of the church appeared energetic and powerful. The emotional impact of gospel music made it a vital ingredient in the creation of rock'n'roll.

Listen to this gospel song, "Oh Happy Day," by the Edwin Hawkins Singers. This recording is one of the few gospel songs to make it to the Top Ten (#4) in the pop charts:

OH HAPPY DAY - EDWIN HAWKINS SINGERS Links to an external site.

"I Saw The Light" is a gospel song that was actually written by Hank Williams, whom we will look at later in this lesson:

I SAW THE LIGHT - BILL & GLORIA GAITHER Links to an external site.

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One of the surprising facts about the development of American music is this: In the 1st half of the 20th century, sheet music was the principle way of selling music. Pianos were prevalent in homes, and it was natural for a family and friends to gather around and sing along with the popular songs of the day. Hence, the need for sheet music.

During that same time, many composers of popular music had their offices in the same area of New York City. Many of our greatest songs come from this. If one walked down the street, the high number of pianos being played sounded like people hitting kitchen pans. That area was nicknamed "Tin Pan Alley."

Street scene of Tin Pan Alley in New York City

If you ever study the history of jazz music, you will find that there were many styles of jazz. From 1935 - 1945 (think World War Two), large jazz bands were very popular, with thousands of bands traveling the country in buses, playing ballrooms everywhere. That period of time is known as the "big band era."

Bing Crosby

Bing Crosby was the most important singer in the 1930s and 1940s.  I've heard it said that he was the first multimedia star, having success in radio, television, movies, and records. However, it was Frank Sinatra who made the singer the star of the show, not the band. 

Frank Sinatra

Frank Sinatra could easily be the subject of entire music course! Instead, let's look at this short biography:

FRANK SINATRA - LIFE AND CAREER Links to an external site.

Let's listen to one of Sinatra's many hits:

THE WAY YOU LOOK TONIGHT - FRANK SINATRA Links to an external site.

There are so many singular influential artists on this page, but all of them had their role in shaping the music to come.

You can't get more influential than Les Paul, the guitarist and inventor who invented the solid body electric guitar, as well as sound-on-sound recording (overdubbing) In fact the guitar of choice of most rock musicians still  today  is a guitar named after him: The Gibson Les Paul!

Here is his story:

LES PAUL BIOGRAPHY Links to an external site.

Here is a look at his guitar:

THE GIBSON LES PAUL GUITAR Links to an external site.

And here is a Coors commercial, with Les Paul in it. This is gold!

LES PAUL COORS COMMERCIAL Links to an external site.

How many people can answer the question "What's your name?" with "It's on your guitar!"

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COUNTRY MUSIC

Country music has had a long tradition in our country, first evolving from the folk music of the settlers centuries ago. Like other rural traditions, it took awhile for it to become mainstream. The style even took on different names through the years. At first, it was called "hillbilly music," which, in retrospect, was a kind of putdown. The first big star during this time was Jimmie Rodgers, also known as the "Singing Brakeman" (the person pulling the brakes on a train). His style, like the country blues and folk of the day, was acoustic. He often wore train uniforms for effect. To our ears and eyes today, this seems a little hokey, but he had a major role in bringing that music from the hills to the cities.

Jimmie Rodgers, first star of country music

This song by Jimmie Rodgers, was recorded 90 years ago! Another time and place:

MULE SKINNER BLUES - JIMMIE RODGERS Links to an external site.

"Hillbilly music" gave way to the term "country and western" music, and a new era entered in in terms of respectability. There is an old joke about the term that made its way to an 1980s movie, The Blues Brothers. The brothers, in a bar, ask the bartender lady, what kind of music they have there:

WHAT KIND OF MUSIC DO YOU HAVE HERE? Links to an external site.

"Country and Western" music later gave way to the shorter term "Country Music," and that is what it is called today.

For many Americans in the 1950s, Hank Williams stood for country music. And for those who favor classic country music, Hank Williams is still today the dominant name! There is an aura of legend and mystery about his life. For such a short and tragic life (he died at age 29, on New Year's Day, in the back seat of his Cadillac), he leaves behind an impressive list of songs that have become standards. [personal note: I have performed Hank Williams songs throughout my life. Even today, I heard a Hank Williams song on a TV commercial! ] His songs continue to be covered by many artists.

HANK WILLIAMS

Listen to one of his greatest hits:

YOUR CHEATIN' HEART - HANK WILLIAMS Links to an external site.

Even today, if you go shopping at Walmart, you might come across a young boy singing a Hank Williams song!

BOY IN WALMART SINGING HANK WILLIAMS Links to an external site.

One classic country artist with a country classic. Listen:

RING OF FIRE - JOHNNY CASH Links to an external site.

[I have a friend in Ramona who actually played guitar for Johnny Cash.]

You might already know that Nashville, Tennessee became headquarters for country music.

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Bluegrass music is a genre of American roots music that developed in the 1940s in the United States Appalachian region. Instruments associated with bluegrass are fiddle, banjo, and mandolin, and the singing style of bluegrass has been described as a "high lonesome." The origin of bluegrass can be traced to Bill Monroe and his Bluegrass Boys. You could even say he invented it! 

Watch this short clip, describing his influence:

BILL MONROE, FATHER OF BLUEGRASS MUSIC Links to an external site.

One of Bill Monroe's many hits is "Blue Moon Of Kentucky," shown here with an interesting display of period photos:

BILL MONROE - BLUE MOON OF KENTUCKY Links to an external site.

Paul McCartney later covered this song.

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THE BLUES AND RHYTHM & BLUES

The blues are an essential part of the rock and roll recipe. In fact, I think rock and roll (or "R&R") would not have come about, without the rhythm and blues (or "R&B") component. Many of the early R&R songs were based on the rhythm and blues form.

Making records came into existence in the early 20th century. The first jazz record was produced in 1917. By the next decade, millions of people were enjoying this new medium. There was tremendous interest in blues music in the 1920s. The roots of selling blues records can be traced to the 1923 hit "Down Hearted Blues," sung by Bessie Smith, who later became known as the "Empress of the Blues."

Take a look at this short clip of her influence.

THE INFLUENTIAL BESSIE SMITH Links to an external site.I have often wondered about the attraction many people have to the blues. I think because the lyrics to many blues have to do with hard times and sad situations, people find those songs a kind of "medicine" for their own situations.

Keith Richards, guitarist for the Rolling Stones, said this about the importance of the blues:

"If you don't know the blues... there's no point in picking up the guitar and playing rock and roll or any other form of popular music."

In Chicago, blues musicians who had migrated from the South, began playing in the clubs there. Because of the noisy atmosphere, guitars and basses went electric, drums were added, and vocal microphones were used. This "new" music became known as "rhythm and blues" (or "R&B").

Two brothers, Leonard and Phil Chess, who owned one of those clubs, started a record company, Chess Records, to record R&B artists. Chess Records became known as the dominant R&B record company, with artists such as Muddy Waters, Bo Diddley, Etta James, Howlin' Wolf, Ike Turner, , and Buddy Guy. Chuck Berry became the label's R&R component, and one of early R&R's great architects.

Phil and Leonard Chess, with singer Etta James

[personal note: Etta James was a great R&B/Soul singer, who's hit "At Last," has been played at countless weddings!] Listen:

AT LAST - ETTA JAMES Links to an external site.

Here is a clip of R&B artist John Lee Hooker performing "Boom Boom" to some kids over in Europe. This song is listed in Rolling Stone's 500 Songs That Influenced Rock and Roll. And if you are familiar with the group Z Z Top, you might hear where they got some of their influence.

BOOM BOOM - JOHN LEE HOOKER Links to an external site._________________________________________

DOO_WOP

A part of early R&R was "doo-wop," named after the sometimes nonsense syllables background singers would often use in their arrangements. You might remember Alan Freed, the DJ who played many of these recordings on his radio show.

Listen to these examples of doo-wop:

GET A JOB BY THE SILHOUETTES Links to an external site.

BLUE MOON BY THE MARCELS Links to an external site.Fun music!

In this assignment, we did a sweeping overview of what life was like before R&R, and the sources that blended to create it. Go on to the next module to find out about an assignment.