History of Rock n Roll Chapter 1 Roots

History of Rock n’ Roll Chapter 1: Roots of Rock n’ Roll

Origins of Rock n’ Roll Blues originated as a mixture of African slaves’ native musical styles & European styles of music – many African cultures placed much more emphasis on the need for rhythm over harmony – developed as a way to overcome the monotony of field labor on plantations Southern (Delta) blues themes tend to focus more on sullen, “down” themes – Due to its “birth” from the oppression of slavery

“King of the Delta Blues Men” Robert Johnson (1911 -1938) called the “Godfather of Rock n’ Roll” Guitar skill attributed to the “devil legend” – Inspiration for Tommy in O’ Brother, Where Art Thou? Very few actual recording sessions – “complete” catalogue only 29 tracks No proof how he died, but all 3 legends involve poison & a woman Songs of Interest: – Cross Road Blues – I Believe I’ll Dust My Broom

Blues was primarily confined to the south until after WWI (1919), when many African Americans head north to Chicago “Big Bill” Broonzy (1898 -1958) • Son of slaves, 16 brothers & sisters • 1907 - made his first fiddle out of a • cigar box Worked as a plow hand, preacher, railroad worker, waiter, piano mover Served in WWI, moved to Chicago in 1920 Got first recording contract in 1924 Worked odd-jobs while making music until a European tour in 1951 Died of throat cancer in 1958 • Song of interest: Key to the Highway • •

Broonzy said: – “The blues won’t die because spirituals won’t die. Blues is a steal from spirituals, and Rock is a steal from the blues…” 1940 -1944: African-American immigration to Chicago increases by almost 75% While Delta blues was acoustic, the blues sound that developed in Chicago was electrified. – Urban Blues reflected optimism for the many who had moved north and escaped the lifestyles of their parents and grandparents

Blind Lemon Jefferson b. July 1897, d. Dec 1930 Born blind & Given name was actually Lemon Worked around Texas as a teenager, then hoboed through the South. 1925 – signed to Paramount records – Recorded blues under his own name, recorded religious songs under the name Deacon L. J. Bates – Best selling artist among “race records” until his death in 1930 Coined term “booger rooger” (wild party), becomes “boogie-woogie” Influenced many later blues artists like Lightnin’ Hopkins, T-Bone Walker, & B. B. King Songs of Interest: -Black Snake Moan

T-Bone Walker Aaron Thibeaux Walker – T-bone developed from his mom’s pet name “T-Bow” b. 5/28/10, d. 3/16/75 From family of musicians, Blind Lemon Jefferson was family friend – Served as Jefferson’s “lead boy” around Dallas – By 1930, playing all across the country 1935 – 1 st recording blues musician to use electrified guitar First recorded as T-Bone in 1942 – Known for a lively on stage show, playing with his teeth, behind his head, or using drumsticks Toured through the 40 s, 50 s & 60 s Song of Interest: - Call It Stormy Monday

From the Mississippi Delta to Muddy Waters Born Mc. Kinley Morganfield 4/4/1915 nicknamed “Muddy” by his grandmother Made a name for himself by age 17 playing at parties – emulated earlier blues artists Son House & Robert Johnson Moved to Chicago in 1940, but moved back to Mississippi by 1941

Recorded for the Library of Congress in 1941 moved back to Chicago & started playing bars had to have an amp to be heard over noise in Chicago bars Wanted his blues to “have a little pep” Winner of 6 Grammys 1987 – inducted into Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame 4 songs on Rn’R HOF list of 500 Songs that Shaped Rock Songs of Interest: • Rollin’ Stone • Hoochie Coochie Man • Mannish Boy • Got My Mojo Working

Howlin’ Wolf Chester Burnett (1910 -1976) Nicknamed “the Wolf”, tried a style of yodeling got called “the Howler” Close friend of Muddy Waters Had a very lively stage act, predecessor of rock performers Won Grammy for Smokestack Lightening (1956) 1991 - inducted into the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame 3 songs on the 500 Song that Shaped Rock n’ Roll Songs of Interest: – Smokestack Lightening – Back Door Man – Spoonful

Little Walter Jacobs – b. 5/1/30 d. 2/15/68 Supposedly the first to amplify a harmonica Caught the attention of Muddy Waters in the 1940 s – Moved north when the blues scene centralized in Chicago – Recorded and toured with Waters throughout the 1950 s Had seven Top 10 R&B albums in the 1950 s Influenced a generation of blues harmonica players Known for a violent temper and a love of drink, died after a bar fight 1968 Songs of Interest: - Juke (#1 R&B, 1952) - My Babe

Riley “B. B. ” King Born Sept. 16, 1925 Delta influenced & mixed a jazz sound in his music Bought his 1 st guitar in 1937 – Trademark Gibson, nicknamed “Lucille” – Started recording music in 1949 Grew up picking cotton on a plantation Worked as a DJ in the early ’ 50 s – Where he earned the nickname “B. B. ” – Radio name was “Beale Street Blues Boy Recognized by the mainstream as the face of modern blues

First big hit was Three O’clock Blues (#1 R&B, 1951) Consistently a record seller and concert performer; King’s only Top 20 pop hit was The Thrill Is Gone (#15, 1970) Although he had a “Farewell Tour” in 2006, he continues to make music today (2009) 52 albums in 60 years Winner of 15 Grammy awards – Including the Lifetime Achievement Grammy 1987 Inducted into the Rn. R HOF in 1987 Songs of Interest: – Every Day I Have the Blues – The Thrill Is Gone – Humming Bird – Paying the Cost to Be the Boss

Buddy Guy George Guy – b. 7/30/36 1957 - left Baton Rouge for Chicago Gets a break when he’s allowed to sit in w/ Otis Rush – Got him a regular gig at the 708 Club – Caught the ear of Willie Dixon, got a recording contract w/ Chess Records Worked as studio guitarist for Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf Left Chess in 1968, due to contract dispute Eric Clapton called Guy the greatest guitar player alive 2005 – inducted into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Winner of 5 Grammy Awards

John Lee Hooker b. 8/22/1917 d. 6/21/01 One of 11 children First instrument was an innertube stretched across a barn door Taught basics of guitar by his stepfather – Blind Lemon Jefferson another early influence 1931 – moved to Memphis & worked on Beale St. Blues career took root in Detroit in late 1930 s Songs of Interest: – Boom, Boom – One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer

Started recording in the late 1940 s – Initially a singles-only artist – Released music under several pseudonyms – 1 st release Boogie Chillen sold a million copies, I’m in the Mood sold another million copies in 1951 Through the 50 s’ & 60 s he toured the UK and Europe By the end of the 60 s, he had teamed up with American group, Canned Heat for Hooker n’ Heat His career sagged in the 80 s, but he had an unlikely revival in the 1990 s, playing with artists like Van Morrison, Keith Richards, Albert Collins, & Carlos Santana – Inducted into the R&R Ho. F in 1991 – Won 4 Grammy awards (all 1990 -2000) – 2 songs (Boogie Chillen’ & Boom) on R&R Ho. F 500 Songs that Shaped Rock n’ Roll

Tin Pan Alley Era To appreciate the impact of Rock n’ Roll, you have to understand what was on the airwaves in the early 1950 s – Jazz sounds, dominated by white performers – Blues considered “race music” Typical lyrics – non-offensive, noncontroversial, often dealt with boy/girl romantic love Songs - usually slow / moderate tempo, with orchestral accompaniment & a small chorus Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Johnny Ray, Eddie Fisher, Nat “King” Cole – Cole one of a very few black pop singers

Country Music In the 1920 s & 30 s it was never referred to as “country” music – – – Old timey music Music from Dixie Old familiar tunes Later it became known as “hillbilly” music – These would be the songs you would here from O’ Brother Where Art Thou? Despite the fact that Southern culture was viewed as degenerate, the music had a following – Hillbilly music appealed to many around America because the South stood for traditional values and orthodox religion

The Carter Family Recorded from 19281956 Comprised of A. P. , his wife Sarah & her sister Maybelle A. P. & Sara divorced in 1939, continued to play until 1941 Maybelle went on tour with here 3 daughters (Helen, Anita, & June) The Carters re-formed in 1952 and continued to record until 1956 Songs of interest: The Wabash Cannonball Will the Circle Be Unbroken Keep On the Sunny Side

Jimmie Rodgers First real “star” of country music Style a combination of hillbilly & blues Worked on the railroad until he began recording in 1927 Inspired many “hillbilly” acts from the southwest – Led to the “westernization” of country music Inducted to Rock n’ Roll HOF - 1986 Songs of Interest: • Blue Yodel #9 • In the Jailhouse Now

Racism in Music & entertainment was segregated in the 1940 s & 50 s In the 1940 s, African Americans had money to spend after WWII & wanted to be entertained but – Weren’t welcomed in white clubs, even if performers were black – Radio was white-oriented, no black performers on network radio – Blues, jazz & even pop by most black performers not sold in same stores as white performers

Whites did not listen to “black music”, and African Americans were not given a choice – Black performers did not appear on pop charts, likewise for white performers on R&B charts Since music did not “cross-over”, if there was a popular R&B song, it got covered by a pop singer – While not mainstream, R&B was gaining a following among high school & college age whites around the US by 1954 Soon, music as the world knew it was going to be turned on it’s head