2.1 WORKSHEET 2

During this lesson, we will look at some people vital to R&R's beginnings, and also start your music journals.

Download and print Worksheet 2.

WORKSHEET 2 Download WORKSHEET 2

Or print from here:

Once again, the worksheets are NOT to be turned in. Fill them out and study them for the tests.

Think back to the documentary we saw.  Do you remember Alan Freed, the DJ who began playing R&B and doo-wop vocal groups on his radio show? To many teenagers, Alan Freed was the father of R&R. He later got in trouble in the payola scandal, payola being paying disc jockeys for records to be played on the radio.

Watch this short clip on Alan Freed:

ALAN FREED (WATCH) Links to an external site.

When a record or song holds a prominent position on more than one of the three charts, this is called a crossover. In other words, a record on one of the charts, say the country charts, is catchy enough to reach the ears of people following another chart, like the pop charts. Thus, it "crosses over."

On all the worksheets, there is a list of the songs we will listen to for the music journal. That list is on the second page of Worksheet 2. Look at it now, and get ready to start your music journal, on your computer word processing program, while you are going through this lesson.

1. "Rocket 88"

"Rock and roll" became a recognized term in the country around 1955. However, the term was bouncing around years before that, with songs using the word "rock" or "roll" or both in the lyrics or titles. Many point to "Rocket 88," recorded in 1951, as the first rock and roll record! The song was recorded in Sam Phillips' Sun Studios (many other artists besides Elvis recorded there). The song has an accidental distorted guitar sound, from the guitarist's amplifier falling off the car, breaking the speaker. Distorted guitar did not come into fashion until the mid-60s, so this was a jump into the future! Here is some background on the song:

"Rocket 88" Song facts Links to an external site.

This is the 1st song for your music journal!

And here is the song, for your journal. Tip: often, if you watch the videos of the songs, you can see the instruments in the songs!

1. "ROCKET 88" Links to an external site.

Now let's go to song 2 for your journal. "Rock Around The Clock" was the first big R&R record (which answers question 9). Bill Haley and the Comets were just a country music band from Pennsylvania, By injecting  rhythm and blues form and feel into their music, the sound of R&R was produced. In this video, you can see Alan Freed at the beginning, introducing the band.

This is the 2nd song for your music journal

2. "ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK" Links to an external site.

FATS DOMINO

Back to the worksheet questions. 

Fats Domino, whose real name was Antoine Domino (Q4), was born in New Orleans, lived in New Orleans, and died in New Orleans. The New Orleans component of R&R included piano and horns (the city has a strong jazz history), and was always good natured fun. Where else can you have a marching band at your funeral?

NEW ORLEANS ON U.S. MAP:

Remember Elvis and Levon Helm's description of R&R? Here, Fats Domino answers the same question:

FATS DOMINO INTERVIEW Links to an external site.Here is an interesting stat about Fats Domino: he sold more records at the time than anyone, except Elvis! His popularity was derived from his fun songs and his friendly, easygoing nature. I am reminded of an old Sara Lee (coffee cakes, donuts, etc.) commercial, where the tag line was "Nobody doesn't like Sara Lee!" The same could be said of Fats: "Nobody doesn't like Fats Domino!"

I would be remiss if I didn't mention his love of jewelry. Check out his ring and cufflinks!

Lets go to the music journal for his biggest pop song (Q5) "Blueberry Hill."

This is the 3rd song for your music journal

3. BLUEBERRY HILL - FATS DOMINO Links to an external site. 

CHUCK BERRY

Chuck Berry grew up in St. Louis, Missouri (Q6).

All these early R&R artists were pioneers in their own way. Chuck Berry's influence on early R&R was monumental. Young musicians all over (e.g. George Harrison of the Beatles, Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, etc.) literally learned to play guitar by listening to Chuck Berry records. John Lennon once said, “If you had to give rock and roll another name, you might call it Chuck Berry.” His playing style brought the guitar up front in R&R. 

Here's an overview of his life:

CHUCK BERRY'S LIFE AND INFLUENCE Links to an external site.

And it wasn't just the guitar. His songs resonated with young people across the country, as he had a knack for writing songs that really spoke to them. Chuck Berry developed an affection for writing what he called "story songs" (Q7). 

And you can't more good storytelling than our next music journal entry: "Johnny B. Goode." There is so much in this song: ambition, Americana, and rags-to-riches. This song ranks near the top of classic R&R songs. I have a book written by a former Rolling Stone writer, who listed his top 1,000 pop songs. "Johnny B. Goode" came in a number 2!

Read these lyrics before we hear the song:

"Johnny B. Goode"

Deep down in Louisiana close to New Orleans
Way back up in the woods among the evergreens
There stood a log cabin made of earth and wood
Where lived a country boy named Johnny B. Goode
Who never ever learned to read or write so well

But he could play a guitar just like a-ringing a bell

Go go, Go Johnny go! Go, Go Johnny go!
Go, Go Johnny go! Go, Go Johnny go!
Go, Johnny B. Goode!

He used to carry his guitar in a gunny sack
Go sit beneath the tree by the railroad track
Oh, the engineer would see him sittin' in the shade
Strummin' with the rhythm that the drivers made
The people passing by, they would stop and say
"Oh my, but that little country boy could play"

Go go, Go Johnny go! Go, Go Johnny go!
Go, Go Johnny go! Go, Go Johnny go!
Go, Johnny B. Goode!

His mother told him, "Someday you will be a man,
And you will be the leader of a big ol' band
Many people comin' from miles around
To hear you play your music when the sun go down
Maybe someday your name'll be in lights
Sayin' 'Johnny B. Goode tonight!'"

Go go, Go Johnny go! Go, Go Johnny go!
Go, Go Johnny go! Go, Go Johnny go!
Go, Johnny B. Goode!

This is the 4th song for your music journal

4. JOHNNY B. GOODE Links to an external site.

LITTLE RICHARD

To me, it is amazing that artists like Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard prospered at all in those early days. Parents were already on edge with this new music that many felt was harmful, and here comes someone who looks like he came from another planet!

Little Richard's real name was Richard Penniman, from Macon, Georgia. After paying his dues playing everything from tent shows to R&B events, he began recording in New Orleans, with the same musicians who backed up Fats Domino. Little Richard died recently, and here is an overview of his life:

LITTLE RICHARD'S LIFE AND CAREER Links to an external site.

Now let's add Little Richard's "Lucille" to our music journal:

This is song #5 for your music journal

5. LUCILLE Links to an external site.

Let's look at the last 2 questions on Worksheet 2.

21. What was the name of Elvis' mansion? Graceland.

22. Who was President of the USA from 1953 - 1960?  Eisenhower.

We have looked at DJ Alan Freed, and artists Fats Domino, Chuck Berry, and Little Richard. We heard the 1st R&R recording, and the first big R&R hit. You are now ready to go to the next unit 2.2

Don't forget, "Music Memory" paper due this week.