Early Rock N Roll Pioneers

Ray Charles Ray Charles is a well known American musician. He played in country, pop, rock, blues, and jazz, but pioneered in soul music. He combined gospel and blues music together, theses are two completely different genres. One is the teaching or revelation of Christ, while blues is about feelings. Charles is so important because he accomplished all of this while being blind.

During the 19th century, music was booming and people were dancing to the lively genre of jazz in the heart of New Orleans. Not too far away is the Mississippi River Delta, where the most genuine of music genres was born; the blues. Ranging from Charley Patton to Joe Bonamassa, blues was- and is still, very influential to the current music culture. One of the most prominent artists in blues music is Charley Patton, who is often referred to as the "Father of Delta Blues", was the beginning of a chain reaction for inspiration to the likes of Robert Johnson, Tommy Johnson, Eddie James "Son" House and Booker T. Washington "Bukka" White. Down to the core, the most basic similarity the aforementioned blues musicians have is that they were all born in Mississippi.

On July 24, 1701, the oldest city outside of the original thirteen colonies was founded. This city would go on to be one of the more fascinating cities of the United States. Not only is this city home to riveting buildings, such as the only floating post office in America, but it is also home to Motown. This city is Detroit. With the merger of different styles of jazz and blues, Detroit was filled with potential; it wasn’t until Motown, though, that this talent reached a national level.

Another commonality between Copland and Presley is that they both had distinct styles of music and influences. Elvis Presley’s style of music was called rockabilly and it was created by combining country music with the rhythm of the blues. His style is distinct because it put a twist on early rock and roll which was still being developed at the time and lead “to what is considered ‘classic’

Izabella Argueta Professor Copeland Essay 9 MUSH 101 11/17/14 Essay 9 Music in the 20th century was changed by African and African-American in many ways. Due to several jazz type artists as well as adding African type music into the mix. Several types of music that are influenced by African styles include ragtime, blues, and jazz. Without this influence, music would not be what it is today.

While no other man can be said to have created rock and roll, Berry debatably did more than anyone else to put the pieces together. As rock journalist Dave Marsh wrote, “Chuck Berry is to rock and roll what Louis Armstrong is to jazz.” On “Maybellene” Berry’s first single, released in 1955 where he performed country &

He believes that “The roots of rock 'n' roll live deep within the historical experience of the black men and woman of the United States, and essential to that history is the passage of black peoples into the New World” (). Chambers describes that the process by which Rock ‘n’ roll music came about was through the assimilation of rhythm and blues because of a conflicting appreciation for the techniques found within the style and a disapproval for the race of the artists producing the music. In the history of rock ‘n’ roll Chambers observes that “black music, in particular the blues and rhythm-and-blues were taken up, and in the process transformed by another section of the working class that was visibly antagonistic to it” (Chambers 134). Similarly, to Lipsitz Chambers concludes that process and reason that the new musical style of rock and roll arose was the blending of white and African American cultures. Though, African Americans were not willing participants in this exchange.

The radio itself contributed to the culture and education of America, because now sports were stimulated and politicians had a new audience to speak to as larger crows finally heard their promises and pleas. A large significance to the culture of America during the 20’s came from African Americans. The new music genre of Jazz, which rooted from African Americans in New Orleans during the migrating of blacks, became popular among flappers and the rebelling society. Handy, “Jelly Roll” Morton and Joseph “Joe” King Oliver are commonly associated with the birth of jazz. The surge of Jazz came from the new racial pride within African Africans, blossoming from black communities in the North.

That year two musicians who impacted music culture found their spot in the limelight. Chuck Berry and Little Richard’s influence shaped the world of Rock and Roll as America knows it today. Berry was the first inductee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as he fit the rock and roll image; two times in prison and a bad-boy attitude (Kallen 183). Under Chess Records, Berry’s first song, ‘Maybelline’, reached the top 10 in 1955, making it one of his first hits. His stage presence also created a new standard for artists, including his infamous “duck walk” (Kallen 184).

These hits laid the foundation for rock and roll as a genre while also bridging the racial divide in popular

Rock and roll, a type of popular dance music originating in the 1950s, characterized by a heavy beat and simple melodies. Rock and roll was an amalgam of black rhythm and blues and white country music, usually based on a twelve-bar structure and an instrumentation of guitar, bass, and drums. (http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/rock-and-roll).Colonel Tom Parker, He was man who encouraged him with his music and wanted him to make more money and gain fame. And also, Gladys Presley, His mother who told he is not less than anyone else in this world. Elvis Presley built a new type of music that had a huge impact on America because the kind of service he did for America.

In a time of economic prosperity, a rise in the standard of living and rock and roll, also known as the “happy days”, the 1950s were a time looked back on with nostalgia. On the other hand, the 1950s were also met with many problems involving civil rights, the Cold War and McCarthyism. After the end of World War II, Americans came home to jobs available and a period of consensus. Consensus meaning there wasn’t much debate in politics. However tensions quickly rose throughout the nation when Joseph McCarthy made serious accusations about the State Department.

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”.

These were some of the most famous jazz musicians of all time. Starting with louis armstrong, louis armstrong rose to fame in the 1920s, his mentor was joe king oliver in 1919. Oliver left louis to fill in hi spot in one of the best jazz bands in new orleans. Soon word spread throughout the city about louis armstrong's fantastic music. Next is jelly roll morton, he was the first great composer of jazz he was also one of the first jazz musicians to travel the country and spread the “new orleans sound”.

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