Culture is the defining aspect of an entire society. Throughout America's history, each decade has displayed its own unique take on culture, through the arts, fashion, and pastimes. The 1950's were a time of bright colors, household gadgets and many of the shows and movies that are currently deemed 'classic' were originated in this era. Technology and household items Americans use every day were invented and have evolved since the 1950's. The 1950's were the beginning of an innovative time in American culture and included the creation of television, the growing popularity of movies, music and brand new inventions, however, unexpectedly conformity and consumerism resulted as well. The desire to achieve the American Dream was an important ideal …show more content…
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). On his ability to play, rock journalist Robert Christgau stated “He taught George Harrison and Keith Richards to play guitar before he met either” (Kallen 184). Richard Penniman, also known as Little Richard, was a wild rocker compared to others of his time and nicknamed himself “The Bronze Liberace” (Kallen 185). As a young man he had to sneak around to listen to the raunchy music that he enjoyed and “…[he] knew there was something that could be louder than that, but [he] didn’t know where to find it. And [he] found it was [himself]. (Kallen quoting Penniman 185)” Soon after he developed his own style and sound he was making hits and sold over half a million singles in
The reading I will focus on this week is an article written by the journalist Kays Gary for the Charlotte Observer in June 1956. In the reading, Gary recalls his time spent with Elvis Presley during an interview with the local press before an early performance in North Carolina. Although Elvis was evidently being very flirtatious and open with his young female fans on the afternoon of the interview, his attitude towards the media is notably more hostile, with the singer remarking that “them critics don’t like to see nobody win doing any kind of music they don’t know nothin’ about” (p. 19). This bitter response to the criticism faced by Presley after his appearance on the Milton Bearle Show appears to indicate that Elvis believed rock and roll to have a high cultural value that made it inaccessible and unintelligible to certain groups of people (in this specific instance, journalists). However, when asked why he does what he does, Presley retorts with the disappointingly honest line that he performs for the money and would be willing to abandon rock and roll should a new style become more lucrative (p. 20).
Charles Edward Anderson Berry also known as Chuck Berry was born October 18th, 1926 and passed away in March 18th, 2017. He was an American musician, songwriter, and singer who helped pioneer rock and roll. He was also very good at incorporating rhythm and blues into rock and roll which is what made him stand out from other rock and roll artists. Chuck had always had an interest in music and did his first performance in public at Summer High School. While in high school Chuck was not a perfect guy and committed a crime that would end up letting him serve three years at reformatory.
Little Richard, The Father of Rock and Roll. Little Richard was considered to be one of the fathers of Rock and Roll. He was a radical movement in the entertainment industry in the 1950’s with his break through into both white and black cultures with Rock and Roll music. He influenced many artists, both white and black, from Elvis Presley to Creedence Clearwater Revival, as stated by Smokey Robinson "Little Richard is the beginning of rock 'n' roll." (DigitalDreamDoor, 2016).
He transformed his reputation and changed the expected music and style of his time with inspiration from Chuck Berry, James Brown, and many other jazz and
Rock and Roll would never be the same, the whole genre was changed. Nobody talked about the genre the same after one of the most revolutionary artists in Rock and Roll left their mark. Rock and Roll sounded better, groovier, and more musical. Richard Wayne Penniman, also known as Little Richard, had a sound that is considered one of the best Rock & Roll sounds in history. From being inspired and amazed by local blues and gospel bands, Little Richard became an inspiration to other musicians.
Even though he was older he still maintained his tour throughout the United States through the 1930’s and 1940’s (“Louis Armstrong” PBS). No one knew Louis could sing until the late 50’s, this time period was the beginning singing career with his lyrics such as “Blueberry Hill” and “Hello Dolly.” He also recorded a classic which most people know called “A Kiss to Build a Dream On” ("Louis Armstrong Biography"). Although his singing career seemed to take off this did not take away from playing with small groups and even recording with
He was considered one of the most influential due to his way of playing the guitar, his music and also how he moved on stage with his guitar solo dance "Duck Walk", besides his personal characteristics he also had the quality to have fun and entertain the
Numerous events throughout American history have allowed for the overall growth and advancement of the United States culture. Regardless of whether this progression was initiated by a negative or positive event, all of the occurrences significantly impacted the societal evolution of the United States. From experiencing and, then, revising key mistakes that occurred in negative instances—such as the events responsible for sparking the Civil War—to the positive examples of constructing and improving new technologies, such as the “Radio System” or “Television,” these critical turning points greatly influenced the cultures of their respective time periods. Arguably, one of the most influential actions of the twentieth century was the development
Buddy Holly Introduction Buddy Holly changed Rock and Roll in his own way. He accomplished many things in his life and learned to sway the crowd. Buddy had a huge impact on people for such a short life, created his own style on his guitar, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, making him one of the most creative singer of the 20th century.
What We Really Miss About The 1950s In her essay, “What We Really Miss About the 1950s”, Stephany Coontz talks about the myth of the 1950s. She begins her argument by stating some reasons why the nostalgia for the 1950s exists. The main thing Americans miss about the those days is the stability. She acknowledges that this fallacy is not insane.
Rock music in the 1960s was egalitarian, eclectic, and real based on a number of reasons. To explain the 'real' piece of rock music in the 1960s, one would have to know that there was war going on overseas that didn't make sense to Americans as to why it was going on (the Vietnam war). There was also still severe inequality between blacks and whites causing protests to occur via the Civil Rights movement, led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. There was inequality between women and mens rights. These issues caused dissatisfaction to occur in the American people.
The “American Dream” is usually thought of as aspiring to change one's life for the better and materially better their situation. We think of it today as going to college and getting a cushy job, but for many in our American history it was much more simple. Many asserted their American dream by declaring their independence. The main similarity was that each had an audacious goal to improve their own life and the lives of some of those around them. Their pursuits of liberty were intimately entwined within the dramatic upheavals taking place in the land recently named America.
On January 8th, 1935 one of the greatest influences to pop and country was born. Elvis Aaron Presley changed the way people heard and saw music through his songs and the way he performed them. Elvis’ music was stunning, he had eighteen American No. 1s and hundreds of gold records from around the world. He brought a way of performing that people had never experienced before, he was electrifying when he performed on stage. Elvis Presley was the first rock'n'roll star, he brought rebellion to the youth of that time and was able to grasp the listener and draw them into his songs which few artist have ever been able to accomplish.
Cultural Impact of Rock and Roll Amidst the 1960’s Jimi Hendrix formerly stated, “Music doesn’t lie. If there is something to be changed in this world, then it can only happen through music.” A generation which was earnestly devoted to peace, protest, and revolution, the counterculture amongst the 1960’s yearned for change. Rock and roll was far beyond just a genre of music; it influenced lifestyles, protests, and attitudes, thus, kindling an awakening in the youth of American culture. The distinction between parental and youth culture was a persistent root of concern, considering that teens throughout the world found a sense of belonging in this style of music.
What is the relationship between popular culture and high culture? In this essay I intend to explore the terms popular culture and high culture and I will also look at how the relationship between these two terms has become distorted and blurred over time. In order to reinforce what I am saying about popular and high culture I will be using a range of examples to show how the line between high culture and popular culture has become blurred. We first need to define the term “culture”, so as to explain pop and high culture.