Cultural Impact of Rock and Roll Amidst the 1960’s Jimi Hendrix formerly stated, “Music doesn’t lie. If there is something to be changed in this world, then it can only happen through music.” A generation which was earnestly devoted to peace, protest, and revolution, the counterculture amongst the 1960’s yearned for change. Rock and roll was far beyond just a genre of music; it influenced lifestyles, protests, and attitudes, thus, kindling an awakening in the youth of American culture. The distinction between parental and youth culture was a persistent root of concern, considering that teens throughout the world found a sense of belonging in this style of music. Differing racial and social groups brewed, worrying the older generations of social …show more content…
The migration of workers to urban areas, prosperity, and the anxiety of social change all contributed to the development of Rock and Roll and Civil Rights. Social anxieties of the Civil Rights Movement such as: institutionalized racial slavery, segregation, discrimination, and the struggle for equality were strongly exemplified throughout African American music, which would soon transform into Rock and Roll. Essentially, Rock music originated amongst the African American culture deriving from jazz, gospel, rhythm, and blues. Ultimately, these genres together corresponded to create Rock and Roll. Seeing that music has the ability to reflect and influence social movements and interactions, the music that becomes popular can gain national recognition (“Concurrent …show more content…
En Masse, Rock and Roll has influenced various areas of the youth culture amid the 1960’s, dominating many areas of the world. The popularity and international outlook for rock music resulted in a compelling impact on society as Rock and Roll influenced everyday fashions, attitudes, and behaviors. Drawing on many different styles, this genre of music excited a worldwide generation of young listeners, while, at the same time, distressing musical, cultural, and social authorities. Presently, it is tough to fully understand the bitter criticism the new music generated in its entirety. Rock music gave shape to many different counter-cultural movements which engulfed the world. Without Rock and Roll, many genres of music would never have emerged, such as: garage rock, pop rock, blues rock, and psychedelic rock. Although rock no longer rules popular music, the styles of the 1960’s still appeal to the ears of those born long after. The utopian frenzy of rock defined the music of that era, and to this day continues to structure the music we call Rock and Roll
There was rock, folk music, and many more. But, in the late sixties Rock n Roll, commonly reckoned as the golden age of rock and roll when it attained a maturity unimaginable for the delinquent rebellion of the fifties, there are numerous references to the Vietnam War. The criticism of the war is submerged in or displaced by the politics of sexuality, lifestyle, and drugs. Rock music of that time period celebrated anti-materialism, spiritual awakening and social disengagement (James pg 133). Like the social movement it made possible, hippie music was ideologically and economically assimilable.
Rock and Roll was one of the first medias to end segregation within itself, it brought blacks and whites together and was lead by not surprisingly the youth culture.
How Rock and Roll Has Been Affected and Evolved Through the Ages Larry Williams, the blues and rock and roll singer, once said, “Rock and Roll has no beginning and no end for it is the very pulse of life itself.” With this quote, he shows that rock and roll truly is an ever-changing enigma. Its lifespan is similar to that of a human’s life because it has consisted of many phases like rockabilly, doowop, and many others. It has had its ups and its downs with the appearance of young new talent that inspired people around the world, and the death of superstars has ripped fans apart as long as this historical music genre has existed.
Shaking the Foundations Since the founding of the United States of America, culture, religion, and race have always been interlaced. If one of these changed, the others struggled to adapt. There was never a time in America’s short history that these three matters collided more brutally or ferociously than during the emergence of rock ‘n’ roll. It is quite obvious that not one single event, action, or phenomenon caused the turmoil during this era, but rather a perfect storm of cultural and racial revolutions that collided head on with tremendous religious backlash. All Shook Up: How Rock ‘N’ Roll Changed America showcased how one aspect of the Cultural Revolution during the 1950s and 1960s supplemented the perfect storm of social reforms.
According to artists in that era, Rock n’ Roll was associated with some level of ruggedness and unruliness. Rock n’ Roll also provided an opportunity for people to escape from prevailing challenges and further challenge the status quo. African-Americans played an important role in the development of Rock ‘n’ Roll by infusing elements of the sounds hummed during cotton picking and Black gospel music with country music and other progressive styles of the time (Blues and Jazz). The music had an impact on people’s attitude by introducing an unprecedented level of confidence, especially among the youth. White people were also introduced to a new style of dance that required movement of the waist and the legs, which
The era of the 60s was the birth of many rock bands. Rocks bands such as Cream, The Who, and the Beatles were defining what would later become the foundation of rock music. One guitarist in particular influenced the sound of rock music and how rock should be played. That man is no other than Jimi Hendrix. Though he had a short, but eventful career he would go on to be remembered as an icon and legend as a founding father of rock.
All Shook Up: How Rock N’ Roll Changed America, by Glenn C. Altschuler, does a great job in discussing all of the conflicts of the time and how rock n’ roll helped or discouraged the conflicts throughout the 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s. Altschuler used essential sources such as newspapers and magazines, as well as other books on the issue to argue main points about the conflicts and affects that rock n’ roll had during this time period. By using and analyzing the primary sources through a social history and in a narrative format, he makes a solid reason and argument for how rock n’ roll really affected and changed America. Throughout history, music has played a huge role in changing the lives of people. However, as the time has passed music, itself,
As a vibrant, energetic, and rebellious genre, many major cultural upheavals resulted from the powerfully expressive music, and often reflected an era of shifting views, values, and aspirations of young people. Furthermore, rock and roll came to represent the youthful enthusiasm and energy of an experimenting generation. This newfound energy ultimately attracted the interest of teenagers and kids across the nation who were looking for a dramatic change from the prevailing conservative social boundaries of the post-World War II era. (Jacobson, Lisa) Teenagers developed a deep and emotional connection to the lyrics, rhythm, and style of artists like Elvis Presley, Bill Haley, and Jerry Lee Lewis, who had a revolutionary impact on young adults. As a whole, these artists seemed to address young people's issues and experiences with specific lyrics and themes which touched on concepts like love, freedom, and most importantly self-expression.
Radio and Television The music of the 1960s and 1970s definitely had an impact on culture and society in the United States. Protest music, specifically, brought ideas, as well as problems, to the attention of many Americans. Radio stations across the nation were a big part of the spread of protest music. Radio experienced a boom after World War II.
Rock music in the 1960s was egalitarian, eclectic, and real based on a number of reasons. To explain the 'real' piece of rock music in the 1960s, one would have to know that there was war going on overseas that didn't make sense to Americans as to why it was going on (the Vietnam war). There was also still severe inequality between blacks and whites causing protests to occur via the Civil Rights movement, led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. There was inequality between women and mens rights. These issues caused dissatisfaction to occur in the American people.
Early rock and roll artists like ‘Fats’ Domino, Little Richard, and Pat Boone began their musical careers as largely rhythm and blues artists, who soon developed their styles into a new sound much more appealing to the drastically changed youth culture of the 1950s. Alan Freed, a disc jockey, and the one who coined the term rock and roll, began playing their songs on his new radio show which he called Rock and Roll Party. The technology of radio is a huge reason why so many teenagers were exposed to this new sound, and contributed immensely to the growing popularity of rock and roll. At the time most people were skeptical, and criticized this idea and Freed’s radio show. However, Freed responded with, “I don’t give a shit” “That’s what I’m going to
These hits laid the foundation for rock and roll as a genre while also bridging the racial divide in popular
Rock and Roll was a very popular cultural aspect of the 50s. It originated from African American culture then the whites interpreted it. One of the first singers to do this was the very king of rock and roll himself, Elvis Presley. Many adults hated this new music and wanted to ban it. A huge part of it was censored, for example on the Ed Sullivan show, Elvis had to wear a tuxedo and wasn’t allowed to dance because his moves were “sexually inappropriate”.
“Music has always been both a barometer measuring and responding to society's problems and possibilities, and the twentieth century was a period that witnessed the emergence of a diverse range of musical styles and genres, each seemingly in reaction to the dominant sociopolitical concerns of the day” (Morgan). Presley, Dylan, and Joplin had the greatest influence on American culture in the 1960’s. Elvis had a great influence on American culture through his influence on music, affect on American culture, and his legacy. Elvis also known as “the King” or “the King of Rock and Roll”was very popular in the 1960’s. Presley created new styles by gyrating his hips and dressing differently.
When rock and roll comes to mind, we think of rock stars smashing their guitars in a seemingly explosive rage and crowd surfing through stadiums and rock halls, but it is so much more than just that. Through the folk rock of Bob Dylan, to the electric sound of Eddie Van Halen, to the female rockers of the twentieth century, culture has been molded because of rock and roll. Rock music has shaped society by helping to uplift feminism and to destroy racism. Rock music has aided in the fight to stop racism I many ways, be it songs, artists, albums, etc. Bob Dylan is a rock legend known for his anthems and his voice in the topics he most cared about.