America in the 1950s
True or False: The first rock and roll records were inspired by the blues
True
True or False: Using the name "Maybellene" in the song Maybellene distinguished if the girl was black or white.
False
Why did Dewey Phillips ask what high school Elvis attended during a radio interview?
The answer revealed his race
True or False: Little Richard was a female impersonator
True
Why was it such a huge deal for there to be mixed race events in the 50s and 60s?
Segregation was still a big part of American culture
In the eyes of adults, what was causing teenage rebellion?
Rock music
How did Chuck Berry’s songs fit the life of white American teenagers?
About driving and being free.
Black teenagers didn't have this luxury
True or False: Elvis had immediate success the first time he entered a recording studio.
False - he was very nervous!
What is the beat Little Richard used as the foundation of his songs? (instead of 2 & 4)
1 & 3
Why was Bill Haley, singer of Rock Around the Clock, nervous about rock music?
He didn't want to be associated with teenage rebellion
Where were teenagers beginning to go in towns when TVs gained popularity?
Movie theaters
How did Chuck Berry innovate how guitar was played in rock music?
Instead of simply strumming the guitar, he "beat on it"
How was Elvis different from other white performers?
He would cover black musician's songs and would dance while performing
How does Little Richard look different from other performers during this time?
Black musician, wore a lot of makeup, and dressed theatrically
When placing music in Jukeboxes, did companies separate black and white music? Why?
No - they wanted to see if teenagers recognized the songs or liked them regardless of race
1950s America: List three things that were happening socially.
Post-WWII, baby boom, segregation, traditional gender roles, nuclear weapons
White teenagers are now driving their own cars. How did the model of car distinguish middle and upper class?
Middle class = Ford
Upper class = Cadillac
Showed publicly what people could afford
Was Elvis’ first single, That’s Alright Mama, originally written by him? If not, who was it written by?
It was a song originally written by a black artist
Why was it suggested to change the lyrics to Tutti Frutti?
The original lyrics were inappropriate
What was the reaction to “Rock Around the Clock” in the movie theater?
Teenagers dancing in the aisles of the theater
What is the difference between blues and doo wop?
Blues - sad, usually not upbeat (form of jazz)
Doo wop - happy, inspiring songs, usually more upbeat
How were Chuck Berry’s songs Maybellene, Johnny B. Goode, and Sweet Like a 16 revolutionize how rock songs were written?
They told a story in the verses
What about Elvis’ performances caused controversy?
People thought his movements on stage were inappropriate
How was Little Richard inspired by a train?
Why is Sam Phillips, the owner of Sun Records, important? What was he doing that was different in the recording studio?
He was a white man recording black musicians