History Of Rock 'N' Roll Notes printable pdf download

History Of Rock 'N' Roll Notes

Pop Culture

Name: _____________________________

Shen

History of Rock ‘n’ Roll: 1950s

Roots of Rock & Roll

a. During the 1920s & 1930s, many white Americans enjoyed seeing and listening to African-

American jazz and blues.

b. A few black R&B musicians achieved crossover success with whites and blacks but more were

rewarded with poverty and obscurity.

c. Rock and roll first emerged when? _______________

d. Early R&R was heavily influenced by what?

i. Rock and Roll was also influenced by blues, country, jazz, folk and gospel.

e. Although R&R was greatly influenced by R&B, the genre also changed as it was performed by

white musicians. HOW SO?

Early Rock and Roll music was characterized by saxophone and piano, later the electric guitar

became more prevalent.

II.

Popularization of Rock & Roll

a. African-Americans had been playing rock and roll for years – why did white audiences know very

little about them?

b. What changed by the mid-1950s, that helped rock and roll to become wildly popular across the

color line? (LIST)

c. Bill Haley & the Comets

i. 1954 release of _______________________________________,

followed by “Rock Around the Clock” helped make “rock” part of the

national language.

History Of Rock 'N' Roll Notes