Rock and Roll
"America. betaking herself to formative action(as it is about time for more solid achievement, and less windy promise), must , for her purpose, cease to recognize a theory of character grown of feudal aristocracies, or form'd by merely literary standards, or from any ultramarine, full-dress formulas of culture. polish, caste, &c., enough, and must sternly promulgate her new standard, yet old enough, and accepting the old, the perennial elements, and combining them into groups, unities, appropriate to the modern, the democratic, the west, and to the practical occasions and needs of our own cities, and of the agricultural regions."1 Walt Whitman wrote this poem back in 1855. A hundred years before rock and roll was invented, people like Walt Whitman could sense that a change needed to happen in America. In the 1880's, the Robber Barons had a dramatic impact on America. Some of them, such as Andrew Carnegie showed that people could rise from rags to riches. The 1920's were called the Roaring 20's, partly because people were carefree and willing to have fun. Jazz became the dominant form of music. Finally along comes the 1950's. America has gotten out of WW2 and is now ready for a new evolution. People are feeling how they
did back in the 20's; carefree and willing to do anything for fun. On March 5, 1951, a rhythm-and-blues band, Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats, recorded "Rocket 88", a frenetic, toe-tapping tribute to a customized car.2 This was the birth of Rock and Roll. The music didn't catch on until 1955 though, when Bill Haley produced "Rock Around the Clock". The song soared up the pop charts, and became the first rock and roll song to ever-hit number 1. From the music of Elvis Presley and Buddy Holly, to Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis, no other style of music has so greatly impacted the lifestyle of the American people. "While Elvis Presley will forever be the symbol of the rock idol, it is Chuck Berry who defined the music as a creative form. Musically speaking, he is the Rock upon which rock and roll rests."8 Berry's first attempt at recording for Chess Records was "Maybellene," a loud, jangling remake of Lloyd "Cowboy" Copas's country hit, "Ida Red." Within four weeks of its release, "Maybellene" had reached the top of the rhythm-and-blues charts. The song became so widely accepted and popular that it crossed over to the Billboard pop single chart. Berry's stage act was just as unusual as his songs were. He appeared comically attentive. His jet black hair was slicked back and immaculately groomed, his shirts were ruffled, and his tuxedo coats were brightly colored and often covered in sequins.9 Onstage, his guitar at his hip, hopping about on one leg in what came to be known as his "duckwalk," Berry also changed the role of the rock guitarist from sideman to star.10 In 1957, Berry released "School Day." He dared to say what every teenager in America had already known: high school was boring and oppressive, and it was at its best when it was three o'clock. Berry was in his late 20's when "School Day" was released, but more than any other composer of his time, he had found a voice for the desires and emotions of teenage listeners.11 Elvis Presley was the most recognized and the most influential rock and roll artist that ever lived. In 1956, Elvis made his way into the national spotlight with his single "Heartbreak Hotel". He set in stone the image and sound of rock and roll that would endure as long as the music lived.3 With the swivel of his hips, the slur of his voice, and the curl of his lip, he evoked the force and feeling of youth and sex and the rebellion that would become the image of rock and roll. He also stamped rock in as both the sound of the emerging teen culture that became the dominant social force of his time and as an original American musical form.4 During Elvis's 21-year career, he became the biggest-selling recording artist in the history of music. He
Some common words found in the essay are:
Heartbreak Hotel, Lee Lewis, Myra Gale17, Buddy Holly, Ida Red, , America Unbelievably, Andrew Carnegie, Gilbert Ostrander, School Day, rock roll, buddy holly, elvis presley, lee lewis, jerry lee lewis, jerry lee, day music died, willing fun, top 20, antics stage, top 100, carefree willing, carefree willing fun,
Approximate Word count = 1835
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)
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