MU121 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Bill Haley, Payola, Maybellene
Document Summary
The birth and first flourishing of rock and roll. Emergence of rock and roll in mid 50s linked to rise of the teenager . Rock and roll linked to development of youth culture (new musical tastes, distinct fashions, slang, movies with teen themes) Many teens first exposed to r&b via local and regional radio programs targeted primarily at black listeners. Middle-class white youth were essential to emergence of rock into the popular music mainstream. As youth culture developed, r&b became music choice for young people. Records and songs crossed over from r&b charts to pop charts. White covers of black songs often changed controversial lyrics. Music historians use important dates to account for the development of musical styles. Many scholars distinguish 1955 as the first year of rock and roll. However there is no clean dividing line between rock and roll, r&b, and country until a few years later.
