The Beat generation rebelled against America's conformist society. People of the Beat generation were largely anti-war and against racism. The beat generation showed itself in art such as poetry and music. The rock star Elvis Presley’s dance moves were considered vulgar by conservative mainstream society.(Doc D) The Yippies were hippies who were involved in politics in(Doc I) the Yippies were a part of some riots sparked by the assassination of
From the psychedelic music of the Grateful Dead and the rise of the feminist movement, to sex trafficking rings and babies tripping on acid, the 1960s were a time of dramatic change and social unrest. Slouching Towards Bethlehem, Joan Didion's collection of personal essays published in 1968, investigates the multifaceted cultural landscape of the 1960s. The collection of essays is primarily set in California and serves as the focal point for the critique and analysis of the broader social and political shifts taking place in the United States. Didion provides a viewpoint that conveys the realities and complexities that have shaped society. From the 1960s until the mid-1970s, the counterculture movement saw an upheaval in identity, family dynamics,
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.
Songs like “Sweet Little Sixteen” and “School Days” by Chuck Berry exemplified the rebellious attitude of the sixties. The lyrics were about girls going against the dress code and how school was a drag. Young people wanted to rebel simply because they could. An outstanding example of the youth culture was the beat movement. Beatniks were a group of artistic social activists who stressed to young people that they should practice spiritual action and reject materialism.
There were many mediums that influenced the American society like music, television, and movies for entertainment for the people. Because of this, the generation gap between adults and kids grew larger and larger. Parents and adults favored contemporary music while teenagers likes hard rock. In addition, many musicians and bands became known in the 1980s like the Cure, Duran Duran, Cyndi Lauper, Michael Jackson, A-ha, and Madonna. There were many popular activities and dances that sparked in this decade like Running Man, the Worm, and the Robot.
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.
There were also times when where in the 60s songs such as rock and folk rallied people against The Vietnam War to show social inequality. You had people in the 80s showing more of their feelings on problems with inequality. With a group such as NWA who shared stories through their music on things such as police brutality happening where they
The way society dresses today is inspired by punk rock music. Usually tight jeans, tight shirts, dark clothing, are worn by teenagers who listen to that music because they want to fit in to the “scene” or, trend (Bailey 14). One trend, in the 1960s and ‘70s, is of long, extended songs that focus more on theatric instruments than a lyrical motive. Led Zeppelin is a prominent example of that trend (Hanner Unpopular Culture: The Relationship between Punk Rock and Mainstream Society).
The war in Vietnam and opposition to it by the students of America, further worked to separate the countercultural generation from the values and ideals of their parents and the government, who stood as symbols of hypocrisy in the eyes of youth. This atmosphere of united protest against the war by the youth, as well as the increasing generation gap, ultimately gave rise to another complex form of the counter culture, the hippies. The hippies who were “Largely white, middle class, and educated…” , according to the St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture, “… whipped up their own philosophy of natural living, easy sexual and social relations, sincerity, and hedonism…”, adapting beat values of drug use for opening the mind, relaxed attitudes
The Beatles were considered political activists by using their music as a way to talk about issues happening in the real world at that time. The Beatles “were the first to really legitimize popular music as a form of political expression, and through this expression inspired political activity and participation amongst those who consumed their music; young people,”
The Beatles and more specifically John Lennon had an immense impact on society throughout the 1960s to the 1980s. The Beatles affected society with their music by bringing about an age where experimentation with drugs, sex and hallucinogens (previously taboo) became the norm. They were also very popular amongst the new hippie counter culture as they too were anti-war and shared continuity with the ideals of the band. They served as examples and leaders not only to the hippies and other youth movements, but also to the youth of society in general. The Beatles and their music redefined the rules of society.
Categorizing people’s acts is never easy and especially highly controversial, since there is no point, which decides, whether you belong to the first, second or even no group. However, below are some representational examples of artists and bands, who effectively contributed to the Sixties’ rebellious Counterculture movement. 4.8.2 Rock bands with political content: The Fugs (New York City): With the regular changes of line-up, the stable core ones had been drummer Ken Weaver, beatniks Tuli Kupferberg and Ed Sanders, the only remaining member until today.
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.
The Music Revolution The Sixties were an exciting period with the beginning of a social, economic and Cultural Revolution, influenced by the music industry that was deeply involved into causes. This propensity took place in a turbulent period where some folks called it the "decade of discontent" because of the race riots and the demonstrations against the Vietnam War. However, other individuals called it the decade of "peace, love, and harmony", because of the peace movements and the emergence of Hippies, called “flower children.” This decade was about assassinations, unforgettable fashion, new styles of music, civil rights, gay and women 's liberation, Vietnam, peace marches, sexual freedom, drug usage, Summer of Love and Woodstock Festival. All of these factors caused a revolutionary transformation in the world of well-liked music, establishing melodies as a form of raise voices and express feelings.
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.
