Music Artists/ Genres (A)
Elvis Presley
We listened to an Elvis Presley song during class. It's story was about a fictional prisoner who found his talent for music while in prison.
What's the name of the song?
"Jailhouse Rock"
This conflict began between the United States (US) and the Soviet Union (USSR). It lasted many decades. They competed against each other through: arms race, space race, spying, propaganda, and proxy wars.
This term was used to describe an explosion in US economy, the development of suburbs, and an increase in babies being born.
The "Boom"
This country artist is known as "The Man in Black." He wrote about many hardships and social injustices happening in the US. He performed in many prisons throughout his career and released two live albums from those concerts. Some of his songs include: "Ring of Fire," "Folsom Prison Blues," and "I Walk the Line."
Johnny Cash
Rock and roll
This song was released by Johnny Cash. It's named after a prison where he had a concert. He recorded the live performance and released it, and it reached #1 on the country chat.
What's the name of the song?
"Folsom Prison Blues"
This event is when three musicians (Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens) were killed in a plane crash near Clear Lake Iowa. The events inspired "American Pie" by Don McClean.
The Day the Music Died
This social event for teenagers helped in the popularization of rock and roll. Often times, the dancers would dance without shoes, which led to the name being related to that practice.
Sock hops
Country artist who died at 29 in 1953. Suffered from a back condition that fueled his drug abuse. Famous songs: "Your Cheatin' Heart," "Hey, Good Lookin'," and "Lovesick Blues."
Hank Williams
This artist is a jazz singer. He almost died during childbirth. His nickname was "Blue Eyes" because of his bright blue eyes. He was Italian-American with lots of friends in the mafia. He recorded 1,400+ songs, appeared in 60+ films, and produced 8 movies. He has 3 stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (movies, music, and TV). Famous songs include "Come Fly With Me," "Fly Me to the Moon," and "My Way."
Frank Sinatra
The name of this song is "Great Balls of Fire." It was featured in the recent movie Top Gun: Maverick. It's ranked #96 on Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Songs of All Time."
Who wrote the song?
Jerry Lee Lewis
This person refused to give up her bus seat for a white passenger. Her actions led to a huge bus boycott in Montgomery, AL, costing the city hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Rosa Parks
How did people listen to music in the 1950s?
Record player, radio, TV shows, live music/concerts
This artist is a blues musician. He is known for his guitar playing skills. His guitar is named "Lucille." His nickname is "The King of Blues." He was a street performer in Memphis, Tennessee on Beale Street, and he was called the "Beale Street Blues Boy." That name shortened led to his stage name. Famous songs: "3'o Clock Blues," "The Thrill is Gone," and "Riding with the King."
B.B. King
This artist was in a band. His stage name was spelled wrong, but he kept it that way in his recording contract. He was killed in a plane crash just outside of Clear Lake, IA. That event became known as "the day the music died." Famous songs include "Peggy Sue," "Everyday," and "That'll Be the Day."
Buddy Holly
This song was written by Chuck Berry. It's a rock and roll song with an iconic guitar intro. The original lyrics were "little colored boy" and he changed them to "little country boy" to not alienate his white audiences.
What's the name of the song?
"Johnny B. Goode"
This is a very influential Supreme Court case involving segregation in schools. The courts ruled that it was unconstitutional to have "black" and "white" schools, which began the process for desegregation.
Brown v. Board of Education
Name one fashion or style trend of the 1950s.
Rockabilly, greaser, the Fonz, leather jackets, rolled-up pants, a-line dresses past knees, pencil skirts, jeans
This artist is a rock and roll artist from St. Louis, MO. He was a "crossover artist," meaning he was famous among black and white audiences. His song "Johnny B. Goode" was about his upbringing and he switched the lyrics from "little colored boy" to "little country boy" to not alienate his white audiences.
Chuck Berry
This artist is a jazz musician and plays the trumpet. He got accepted into Juilliard School of music in NYC, but spent most of his time in jazz clubs and dropped out. He changed his music throughout his career, going from bebop, cool jazz, disco, funk, and electronic styles. His album "Kind of Blue" is the best selling jazz album of all time.
Miles Davis
The song "Your Cheatin' Heart" tells the story of the artist's first failed marriage. This song is filled more with regret than revenge.
Who wrote this song?
Hank Williams
This US president was a general during World War II. He created NASA, signed the Civil Rights Act of 1957, and created the Interstate Highway System.
Dwight Eisenhower
What is one invention from the 1950s?
Credit card, Mr. Potato Head, super glue, barcodes, color TV, Corvette, first video recorder, 3-D movies, first kidney transplant, velcro, AA batteries, satellite, hula hoop
This genre of music developed in the African-American community. It is based on the performer's singing voices, often inspired from "a capella" music (no instruments, just voices). The emphasis is on the lyrics and harmonies made by multiple singing voices.
Doo-wop