The Evolution of Rock and Roll in America
Rock and roll describes a genre of popular music that originated from other styles of music in the US, like gospel, rhythm and blues, jazz, and country music in the late 1940s and early 1950s. With its heavy beat and simple melodies, the genre has been described as a unique blend of African American urban culture and White American country music. Since its emergence, the sound has evolved and has largely influenced fashion, language, and lifestyle. Some believe it also positively impacted the civil rights movement as it was enjoyed by both White American and Black American teenagers.
The exact origin of rock and roll has remained a debate among music historians and commentators. However, there is a consensus that the style of music emerged from the Southern United States. At the time, the migration of many formerly enslaved African Americans into major urban cities like New York, Chicago, and Memphis, led to Black and White residents living in proximity in large numbers. Due to this, both groups were exposed to each other’s music and fashion. Primary influences on the style of music came from gospel, rhythm and blues, country, folk, and jazz.
Although no record has been singularly credited as the first rock n’ roll song, records that one may consider major contenders include “That’s All Right” by Arthur Crudup, “Rock the Joint” by Jimmy Preston, “The Fat Man” by Fats Domino, and “Strange things Happening Every Day” by Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Big Joe Turner and Pete Johnson’s jazz single,” Roll ’Em Pete” in 1939, is also a noteworthy precursor of rock and roll. Rock and roll arrived around the time of significant technological change, not long after the amplifier and microphone, electric guitar, and 45 rpm record developed. This period also witnessed the rise of independent record labels like Sun, Atlantic, and Chess.
In the 1950s, a type of rock music known as “rockabilly” emerged. It was dominated by white singers like Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, and Carl Perkins. Between 1954 and 1956, Elvis Presley dominated rock and roll on a broader scale than any other performer and became a nationwide sensation. The white singer created his music with a blend of hillbilly rave-ups and pop-crooner ballads. His music oozed sexuality, and he became a catalyst in the merger of white and black culture. Black artists like Fats Domino, Chuck Berry also became sensations for young, white audiences. Bill Haley’s “Rock Around the Clock” signified a milestone in the growth of rock and roll with massive cultural impact and commercial success. Other artists that created early rock and roll hits include Little Richard, Gene Vincent, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee, and Bo Diddley.
While rock and roll dominated America’s entertainment culture, rock stars filled stadiums, earned millions, and heavily influenced almost every aspect of fashion and lifestyle, including major protests and movements. Its growth was partly due to the post-World War II era, which was a prosperous time for many Americans, and allowed young people to spend surplus money on new records and radio sets.
Rock and roll started to face a decline in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Various incidents which may have contributed to this decline include the deaths of Ritchie Valens, Buddy Holly, Eddie Cochran, and The Big Bopper. Presley’s departure for service in the US army, Little Richard’s retirement to become a preacher, and the payola scandal involving bribery and corruption implicating major acts like Alan Freed also played significant roles.
