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Rock 'N' RollRock 'n' roll is a form of popular music that originated in the American South in the late 1940s and early 1950s. The genre combines elements of other American musical styles—including blues, country, gospel, R&B, Tin Pan Alley, and jazz.
Jackie Brenston's "Rocket 88" is now widely considered the genre's starting point, particularly due to its use of distorted electric guitar, a distinction that would define the genre for decades. That same year, Cleveland DJ Alan Freed launched his radio show, rebranding R&B records as "rock 'n' roll" to appeal to a broad audience.
In 1952, Memphis-based engineer Sam Phillips' Sun Records would become the home for Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis—artists whose countryfied take on rock 'n' roll was called "rockabilly." By the 1960s, rock 'n' roll was a part of the American mainstream, and was spreading outside the country, too.Explore Rock 'N' Roll
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Brazil's tropicália movement fused rock 'n' roll, Latin music, and poetryTropicália was a short-lived Brazilian style of rock 'n' roll that blended samba, bossa nova, modernist poetry, and American rhythm and blues that offered provocative, anti-authoritarian, and avant-garde ideas through popular music, much to the delight of the country's evolving youth culture. The ForumA year before Elvis appeared on 'Ed Sullivan,' Bill Haley brought rock 'n' roll to the programAlthough Elvis Presley's 1956 appearance on the popular TV show is viewed as a key moment in the rise of rock 'n' roll, the music appeared on the program a year earlier, on August 5, 1955, when Bill Haley and His Comets performed their hit "Rock Around the Clock." The Ed Sullivan ShowThe Parents Music Resource Center criticized rock 'n' roll's lyrics in the 1980sThe group, spearheaded by Tipper Gore, the wife of then-Senator and eventual Vice President Al Gore, argued that rock music, especially heavy metal, was having an adverse effect on the country, particularly young children. One of the group's fiercest critics was musician Frank Zappa. In the video below, he appears on a 1986 episode of "Crossfire," arguing about the proposed ban of so-called obscene music. Chris Casady'Rock 'n' roll' eventually became 'classic rock'As the 1980s arrived, rock radio began pivoting to the term “classic rock,” allowing them to focus on the Baby Boomer demographic and ignore the still-evolving genre. Since then, “classic rock” remains, though it’s constantly being redefined, due in no small part to its slippery name. Stat SignificantElvis was allegedly chided for playing rock 'n' roll at the Grand Ole OpryElvis Presley had deep roots in country music, though the Grand Ole Opry and its audience weren’t happy with Presley’s rocking take when he performed for his first (and only) time in 1954. Afterwards, the Opry’s manager Jim Denny allegedly told Presley, “Don’t quit your day job.” Saving Country MusicRock 'n' roll's history in 60 secondsIn the late 1940s, rock 'n' roll emerged from a mix of blues, country, gospel, and jazz. It gained traction through radio, rebellious icons, and evolving sound. This overview traces the genre’s roots, rise, and lasting influence—from early pioneers to the British Invasion and beyond. 1440Take a look at an early rock 'n' roll artifactThis 1956 jukebox musical, "Rock, Rock, Rock!," is an early example of the burgeoning rock 'n' roll culture—with performances from Chuck Berry, Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, D.J. Alan Freed, and several others. It was also a catalyst, sending the new youth culture into theaters around the country. Free Film HeritageSister Rosetta Tharpe is considered the godmother of rock 'n' rollChuck Berry, Little Richard, and Fats Domino are cited as the godfathers of rock ‘n’ roll, but the undisputed godmother is Sister Rosetta Tharpe, a gospel singer who crossed over to the secular world and changed the course of American music. Tharpe’s electric guitar playing influenced early rock ‘n’ roll. Central Arkansas Library SystemBrazil's tropicália movement fused rock 'n' roll, Latin music, and poetryTropicália was a short-lived Brazilian style of rock ‘n’ roll that blended samba, bossa nova, modernist poetry, and American rhythm and blues that offered provocative, anti-authoritarian, and avant-garde ideas through popular music, much to the delight of the country’s evolving youth culture. The ForumSun Records was responsible for some of rock 'n' roll's biggest artistsMemphis' Sun Records was one of the most important labels in American musical history, releasing pivotal records by Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, and countless others. Sun RecordsA DJ coined the term 'rock 'n' roll' to resell R&B to a broad audienceCleveland DJ Alan Freed launched his radio show “Moondog’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Party,” rebranding R&B records, largely performed by Black artists, as “rock ‘n’ roll” to appeal to a largely white audience. The name was a double-entendre, describing the sound and the sexual activities it was said to induce. Teach RockThe distinctions between 'R&B' and 'rock 'n' roll' were mostly racial"Rhythm and blues” was a broad name used for African American music in the 1940s after “race music” fell out of favor. Musically speaking, "rock 'n' roll" sounded very similar, though it was marketed to white teenagers rather than Black audiences. Library of CongressRock 'n' roll began as a hybrid of several American musical stylesRock ‘n’ roll combined blues, swing, country, and other American musical forms in the late 1940s. From there, it splintered into countless subgenres and is still evolving. Carnegie HallWhy heroin became associated with the grunge worldThe drug was popular with several Seattle acts in the early 1990s, with artists like Hole's Courtney Love even publicizing her use in a magazine profile. A 1992 New York Times story on Seattle said the city's principal drugs were "espresso, beer, and heroin." the GuardianThe tragic history of 'the 27 Club'Kurt Cobain's 1994 suicide followed an eerie pattern in rock 'n' roll history: Several of the music's brightest stars' lives end at the age of 27. That group includes Kurt Cobain, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Amy Winehouse. This exploration of the phenomenon delves into the eerie and tragic circumstances that continue to shape its relevance. BiographyHear experts discuss how religion has shaped American lifeProduced by the National Museum of American Religion, this podcast examines how religion has shaped America and how America has influenced religion—covering topics from the Nation of Islam and rock 'n' roll to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, with scholars and everyday citizens as guides. Richard Hell is one of punk's most accomplished writersRichard Hell is punk royalty, known for his work with Television, the Heartbreakers, and the Voidoids. He's also a well-traveled poet, novelist, critic, and memoirist, as this detailed profile from Poetry Foundation's Andrew Marzoni shows. The Poetry FoundationWitness the birth of punk rock through the archives of an influential music magazineTrouser Press magazine (originally Trans-Oceanic Trouser Press) was an influential publication that operated from 1974 to 1984. During that time, they ran cover stories on emerging acts like the Sex Pistols, the Clash, and others, offering contemporary readers a window into how punk was understood as it evolved. Trouser PressDolly Parton declined her nomination for the Rock & Roll Hall of FameThe country icon was nominated in 2022 but bowed out, saying, “I don’t feel I have earned that right” and that she didn’t want votes split because of her inclusion on the ballot, though the Hall of Fame inducted her anyway. Interestingly, she also mentioned that the nomination motivated her to release a rock ‘n’ roll record in the future. She released “Rockstar,” a double-album featuring several duets and covers of popular rock songs, in 2023. PitchforkThe best album covers of all timeRock 'n' roll has defined the style of several generations, and much of that is the result of iconic album covers. This Billboard list breaks down the best of the best, ranking generation-defining images from Pink Floyd, Cyndi Lauper, Nirvana, and more. BillboardBefore 'Saturday Night Live,' Chevy Chase played in a band with the members of Steely DanChase attended Bard College in the 1960s with Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, who'd later form the group Steely Dan, known for hits like "Reelin' in the Years" and "Peg." Chase played drums for the college band, which, at one point, was called the Very Bad Jazz Band. Yahoo EntertainmentThe Rolling Stones got their name from a Muddy Waters songThe band was set to play a live session on the BBC in 1962, though they still didn't have a name. When guitarist Brian Jones spoke to Jazz News magazine about the upcoming appearance, he realized the group still didn't have a name. He saw Muddy Waters' "Rollin' Stone" record on the ground and decided in that moment that it would be the name of the band. Far Out MagazineBluegrass, a subgenre of country music, allows every participant to take a soloThe music grew popular after World War II and, like country, was based on a combination of blues, spirituals and Celtic folk songs. Bluegrass has a "high, lonesome sound," as pioneered by Bill Monroe, and features breaks for every melody instrumentalist to take a solo. Smithsonian Folkways RecordingsIn 1977, Iggy Pop said 'punk rock' was a term used by 'heartless manipulators'Although he's often called 'the Godfather of Punk,' Iggy Pop was over punk by 1977, just as the term was entering the mainstream. "It's a term that's based in fashion, style, elitism, Satanism, and everything that's rotten about rock 'n' roll," Pop told Canadian TV host Peter Gzowski. CBC MusicThe Velvet Underground is often considered a starting point for punk rockThe band blended Warhol’s Pop Art with Beat poetry, early rock ‘n’ roll and the European avant-garde, creating a sound that was often chaotic, noisy and abrasive. The band’s debut album, “The Velvet Underground and Nico,” sold poorly, but (supposedly) everyone who purchased a copy started a band. The Velvet UndergroundWarren Zevon's sardonic takes landed him in the Rock and Roll Hall of FameWarren Zevon was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2025. Political writer Andrew Walworth highlights Zevon's keen interest in international politics, which often found their way into his memorably wry lyrics. Real Clear Politics'Do something you really like, and hopefully it pays the rent. As far as I'm concerned, that's success.'- Musician Tom Petty (1950–2017) The Capitol TheatreBruce Springsteen's 'Nebraska' was influenced by writer Flannery O'ConnorSpringsteen became obsessed with the "Southern gothic" writer when he began working on the songs for "Nebraska," inspired by O'Connor's tragic characters and grotesque imagery. Literary HubJon Landau reviewed a Springsteen show, then became his managerJon Landau reviewed a Springsteen show, then became his managerJon Landau, a writer for a Boston newspaper, saw Springsteen and his recently-named E Street Band perform in 1974 and wrote, "I saw rock and roll future, and its name is Bruce Springsteen." He would go on to coproduce "Born to Run" and work as Springsteen's manager for decades. New England Historical SocietySpringsteen is considered one of rock's greatest songwritersSpringsteen is considered one of rock's greatest songwritersThe New Jersey native has sold over 150 million albums, won 20 Grammy Awards, and influenced several generations of heart-on-sleeve songsmiths. In 1999, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Rock & Roll Hall of FameThe odds of getting seriously injured on a US roller coaster are one in 15.5 million rides takenUnderstanding the mechanics of a ride can help explain why they are so safe. Lift hills, launches, and breaks are each crucial components of coasters and are designed to possess numerous safety features in case of any dysfunction. ABC27Girl groups had a profound influence on the Beatles The legendary Liverpool group cut their teeth playing girl group hits at the Cavern Club (including the Marvelettes’ “Please Mr. Postman,” which appeared on 1963’s “Meet the Beatles) and even invited the Ronettes to join them on their world tour in 1966. The Beatles StoryA legendary rock writer ranks the greatest girl group recordsGreil Marcus is considered one of the greatest American rock writers of all time, providing a literary legitimacy to rock ‘n’ roll when it was still considered mere pop culture. This 1975 essay on the great girl group records is the perfect example, offering a thought-provoking analysis of the era’s definitive singles. GreilMarcus.netBrian Wilson said ‘Be My Baby’ is ‘the greatest record ever produced’The legendary Beach Boy was shocked the first time he heard the Ronettes’ song. “I was driving and I had to pull over to the side of the road — it blew my mind.” He claims he spent his career trying in vain to do something as good. “It’s the greatest record ever produced. No one will ever top that one.” The New York Times‘Torch songs’ are passionate expressions of unrequited loveThe term comes from an idiom about dedicated romantics carrying torches for their love interests. The style was especially popular for female vocalists before the rise of rock ‘n’ roll and significantly influenced early girl group records. American MastersThe classic girl group sound arrived with doo-wopDoo-wop was a vocal-based pop music popular in the ‘50s that coincided with the rise of early rock ‘n’ roll. The mid-tempo, harmony-heavy songs about teenage life provided the template for the girl group sound, which arrived at the end of the decade. Jeffrey StillwellThe 'Movie Brats’ ushered in a new era of Hollywood"The Movie Brats" is a name used to describe a generation of directors who blended classic cinema with the rebellious, crowd-pleasing spirit of rock ‘n’ roll. The figures most often associated with the tag are Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, George Lucas, and Brian De Palma. MovieWebChubby Checker’s ‘The Twist’ reached number one in two separate yearsThe song topped the Hot 100 in 1960 thanks to a performance on the popular TV show “American Bandstand,” which led to a “Twist” dance craze. Checker recorded twist-themed follow-up singles, helping to propel “The Twist” back up the chart in 1962. WXPNThe Bakersfield Sound challenged the music's creeping respectabilityAs country music leaned towards the slick Nashville Sound in the 1950s, several artists operating outside that city reacted with rougher sounds more reminiscent of honky tonk and early rock ‘n’ roll. It came to be known as the Bakersfield Sound, reflecting the California agricultural region. Merle HaggardThe electric microphone led to a country music boomThe electric microphone provided enhanced audio and greater portability, saving the fledgling record industry and making recording outside of New York and Camden, New Jersey, possible. This proved critical for capturing early country and rock ‘n’ roll. The1920sChannelIn the late '80s, Dylan formed the Traveling Wilburys with other rock legendsThe word “supergroup” gets tossed around plenty in rock ‘n’ roll, but it’s never been more apt than with the Traveling Wilburys, a late '80s band featuring Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, George Harrison, Roy Orbison, and Jeff Lynne. At the time, Dylan was feeling creatively adrift and far removed from the passion of his earlier work. The winking alter-egos of the Wilburys reinvigorated him, leading to a great record and a renaissance in Dylan’s solo career. The Traveling WilburysDylan's 1965 electric set at the Newport Folk Festival was viewed by some as a betrayalIt's considered a watershed moment in his career and rock ‘n’ roll history, mostly because the audience allegedly booed Dylan’s new electrified songs, believing he had abandoned politically minded folk music for pop stardom. MonotoneJames Brown was considered one of rock's greatest performers"The T.A.M.I. Show" is a 1964 film featuring live performances from the biggest names in rock 'n' roll: Chuck Berry, the Beach Boys, and the Supremes. The most memorable performance from James Brown and his band the Famous Flames, is regarded as one of the greatest performances in pop music. James BrownAlan Freed was eventually charged in a 'payola' scandalAfter popularizing rock ‘n’ roll, both as a genre and as a culture, Freed became an industry power player, producing movies, hosting concerts, and minting superstars. By the end of the '50s, a House Investigation Committee charged him with 26 counts of commercial bribery, a scheme they called “payola.” Performing SongwriterIn 2016, Bob Dylan won the Nobel Prize for his lyricsRock legend Bob Dylan’s 2016 Nobel Prize was a surprise in the literary world. A rock lyricist had never been awarded the distinction. Dylan explains his affection for literary giants like Herman Melville and Homer, connecting his writing, and the rock ‘n’ roll of his youth, to the literary tradition. Nobel PrizeRock expanded to Africa, where it was used as a political artformThe Nigerian rock scene began after Bill Haley’s "Rock Around the Clock" film premiered in the country, inspiring young people to take up electric guitars. The music was also an integral part of the country’s civil war, with conscripted bands entertaining soldiers on both sides of the conflict. NPRMotown Records used the assembly line for songwritingIn the 1960s, Motown Records was the world's most reliable rock 'n' roll label and the home of the Supremes. That success was largely due to its songwriting process, a finely tuned assembly line model inspired by Motown owner Berry Gordy's time working at the Ford Motor Company. GBHMany consider Jackie Brenston's 'Rocket 88' to be the first rock songJackie Brenston’s “Rocket 88,” a song penned in 1951 by a young Ike Turner and performed by his band the Kings of Rhythm, is widely considered the genre’s starting point. While late-40s R&B singles have similar elements, “Rocket 88” included distorted electric guitar, which would define the genre for decades. The Saturday Evening PostBlues was a major influence on early rockEarly rock ‘n’ roll had a straightforward sound, relying mostly on guitar, bass, drums, piano, and saxophone playing up-tempo 12-bar blues. In subsequent decades, the form evolved and splintered into countless subgenres that used more diverse sounds, instruments, and lyrics. Sound FieldChuck Berry was one of the genre's early innovatorsA pioneer of rock ‘n’ roll, Berry redefined music in the 1950s with hits like "Maybellene" and "Johnny B. Goode." Drawing from blues and country, his signature riffs and storytelling influenced generations of artists. 1440
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