How Did Rock And Roll Affect The Youth Of The 1960's

Dominic Giusti

Date

Prof.

Class

Ramble On

German Romantic writer Jean Paul Richter said, “Music is moonlight in the gloomy night of life”. For the youth of the 1960, there were no truer words strung together. The 1960’s in America were a very turbulent few years with the conflict in Vietnam being only one of the examples as to why. This is a time period where the youth rebelled against the system their elders put into place and began to either create their own systems, or fight to create change. Many blame this sudden outburst of individuality on the music of the time, but the truth is that Rock and Roll did not shape the minds of the youth; the youth’s minds shaped Rock and Roll.

Rock and Roll started in the 1950’s, but only by name. Most people consider Elvis Presley to be the creator of all things Rock and Roll, but there were no “creators” of Rock and Roll. As rock star Steven Van Zandt once said, “Rock music was white kids trying to make black music and failing gloriously!” True to this evaluation, Rock and Roll would not be around if it weren’t for genres like The Blues, Gospel, or Jazz, all of which were passionately dominated by mostly black musicians. Though Elvis will always be The King of Rock and Roll, the

Within Rock culture, black and white people were not as segregated as they once were. Jimi Hendrix was a black man and still seen as one of the greatest guitar players of all time. His music is still played on the radio today, and he is a common household name. Crosby Stills Nash and Young had a Jamaican Bassist that they toured with who was black. Joe Cocker had colored women as backup singers, as did many other bands when they were looking for a more soulful or gospel feel to their music. The lines were beginning to blur within the realm of Rock music, and the sentiment of peace and unity in response to Vietnam is responsible for