1968 Musical Breakthrough

Not to mention, “not only has music been a direct means of anti-war protest, but the culture of peace and love, seen especially in the Woodstock festival, has also pervaded the minds of the public” (Hopkins). The controversial Vietnam War affected many people in the United States, but the war caused a socio cultural revolution through the power of

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.

This led to creative, and mind you interesting, rock that Americans loved like "I Can't Get No Satisfaction" by The Rolling Stones and "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" by The Beatles. Aside from the above,

Radio and Television The music of the 1960s and 1970s definitely had an impact on culture and society in the United States. Protest music, specifically, brought ideas, as well as problems, to the attention of many Americans. Radio stations across the nation were a big part of the spread of protest music. Radio experienced a boom after World War II.

The 1960s was a tumultuous decade for the United States. Along with the escalation of the Vietnam War, this decade was rocked by the Civil Rights movement and the second wave of the Feminist movements, creating an immense amount of social tension. As a result, people turned to politically-charged music, predominantly Rock n’ Roll, to release their frustrations. However, an equally important musical genre, Soul, was left in the background. Despite the fact that Soul music was not as popular in the United States, artists such as Aretha Franklin released many politically-charged songs that advocated for social justice.

Bob Dylan, a folk artist, played a major role in the youth movement during the 1960s because his music was anti-mainstream at the time which is what teens wanted. At the time, folk music presented an outlet for the youth of America to express their displeasure with mainstream society and their parents’ values. Dylan’s music was unique in the sense that it focused on an individual instead of society as a whole like most

The progress of music from earlier years to the mid 1950’s was great. Not long after, Little Richard, in 1956, Elvis Presley, made his debut and in 1957, Jerry Lee Lewis. Music attached to those particular names gave people a way to express themselves, the music gave people an idol that “understood” them. Rock and Roll also gave people back in the 1950’s freedom to be who they wanted to

Americans used music as one of the many ways to express their thoughts and feelings about the upheaval in the 1960s. Peace and Freedom songs were created to showcase the concerns and opinions Americans had on major issues, specifically the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights Movement. Music has always been a part of times of upheaval and war in America. “Yankee Doodle” kept spirits up during the Revolutionary War.

All Shook Up: How Rock N’ Roll Changed America, by Glenn C. Altschuler, does a great job in discussing all of the conflicts of the time and how rock n’ roll helped or discouraged the conflicts throughout the 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s. Altschuler used essential sources such as newspapers and magazines, as well as other books on the issue to argue main points about the conflicts and affects that rock n’ roll had during this time period. By using and analyzing the primary sources through a social history and in a narrative format, he makes a solid reason and argument for how rock n’ roll really affected and changed America. Throughout history, music has played a huge role in changing the lives of people. However, as the time has passed music, itself,

With Woodstock spawning what people call the Woodstock effect it made artists, and their employers prosperous almost immediately. Scandals also helped the music career with the Watergate scandal creating songs full of abhor and lament towards Nixon. Movies featuring contemporary and beautiful music were playing in theaters, stimulating sales of albums. The music from the 1970’s was effected by everything, and it wasn’t always for the best.

The Beatles and more specifically John Lennon had an immense impact on society throughout the 1960s to the 1980s. The Beatles affected society with their music by bringing about an age where experimentation with drugs, sex and hallucinogens (previously taboo) became the norm. They were also very popular amongst the new hippie counter culture as they too were anti-war and shared continuity with the ideals of the band. They served as examples and leaders not only to the hippies and other youth movements, but also to the youth of society in general. The Beatles and their music redefined the rules of society.

The reading “Popular music and the civil war” explained the heavy influence that music had leading up to and during the civil war. Music was used to express the way Americans, those in the north or south, were feeling during this time. Through their lyrics, writers and singers were able to convey their feelings on topics such as being separated from loved ones, losing someone, patriotism for the confederates or the union, and anything else that related to war time. Many of these songs appealed to the Americans because they could easily relate to what the lyrics were saying. Therefore, songs were being greatly produced during this time because people were purchasing the music, whether that was by going to see the performance of it, or buying

In the 1950’s, America was just starting to develop a common culture. Platforms like The Ed Sullivan Show, were uniting Americans while maintaining the conservative values of the time. Many Americans tried to hold onto the lifestyle and values they were so used to, but the times were changing. The number of women in the workforce doubled, African Americans were fighting segregation, and a new teenage culture was developing. Music, rock n’ roll at that time, became a way to make up the differences between Americans. Elvis Presley, a poor southern boy, made major waves by singing what most considered solely race music enticing teenagers and angering disapproving parents. This changed the common culture of the time by breaking down at least some of the barriers between whites and blacks through teenagers love of music.

For example, Rock ‘n’ Roll music affected the Civil Rights Movement by eliminating the common prejudices whites had against blacks. The elimination of this negative perspective allowed African Americans to gain the basic rights an American should have and allowed to respectfully be viewed as equal. Another example is when Rock ‘n’ Roll music affected the Vietnam War by uniting the American public against the government is an antiwar protest campaign. The antiwar protest effect was amplified by Rock ‘n’ Roll musicians such as Bob Dylan and John Lennon. The songs these Rock ‘n’ Roll musicians produced contributed to the United States withdraw, resulting in peace.

The civil rights movement is one one of the greatest social justice movements in American history. Throughout countless marches, speeches, rallies, African Americans were able to unite all races to protest for the equal rights of all individuals. Through these countless times, music was often relied upon to peace and uplift spirits. To manage, civil rights groups relied heavily on music, so much that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote in “Why can’t we wait” that music was “the soul of the movement”. During long protests, individuals in both courtyards or jail cells would rely on singing and humming to keep the peace and energy among the crowd.