Brianna Kloes, Pd. 2

Music in the 1950’s

Music in the 1950’sHistory

Artists

Influence

Rock n Roll

Doo Wop

Works Cited

Before the 50’s

• Mainly jazz and big band styles• The era of World War II– Music reflected the pain that the country was going

through– Still up and positive about the future to take peoples’

minds off of the war• The positive sounds of the 40’s helped to develop the

new rock’n’roll sounds

For more information on music from the 40’s click on the picture in the right hand corner of this slide.

Doo-Wop

• Style of mainly a cappella rhythm and blues

• Developed in the 1940’s in African American communities but became popular in the mid-1950’s

• Practiced in schools, homes and alleys in major cities like New York, Baltimore, Chicago and Pittsburgh

Click here for more information on doo-wop.

Click on the photo to hear “Gee” by The Crows.

Rock’n’Roll

• Combination of the blues, country music and gospel music

• Piano or saxophone were usually the lead instrument• First rock’n’roll song to top the charts was Bill Haley’s

“Rock Around the Clock” in July 1955• Top artists of this time were Elvis Presley, Billie

Holiday, Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Cash, Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis

Click here to learn more about rock’n’roll.

ARTISTS

Click on the pictures to learn more about these great artists.

Jerry Lee Lewis• Born September 29, 1935 in Ferriday, Louisiana• Singer, pianist, songwriter• One of the 1st artists to gain attention by throwing

equipment around– Audiences loved the part in his performance when he’d

stand up and throw the piano bench across the stage most– Would take off jacket and tie while still playing the piano,

singing and dancing• 1957-Received gold records for “Great Balls of Fire”

and “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On”Click on the picture to the left to hear “Great Balls of Fire” by Jerry Lee Lewis.

Johnny Cash

• Born February 26, 1932 in Kingsland, Arkansas• Singer, guitarist, songwriter• Known for his bass-baritone voice, the “freight train”

sound of his band the Tennessee Three, the way he acted and the way he dressed– Wearing dark clothing giving him the nickname “The Man in

Black”

• Started all of his concerts saying “Hello, I’m Johnny Cash.”

• Some of his signature songs are “Walk the Line,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” and “Ring of Fire.”

Click on the picture to the right to hear “Walk the Line” by Johnny Cash.

Little Richard

• Born December 25, 1932 in Macon, Georgia• Singer, pianist, songwriter and band leader• Mostly influenced by black gospel artists of the

1930’s and 40’s• Some of his greatest hits include “Tutti Frutti,”

“Jenny, Jenny,” “Rip It Up” and “Good Golly, Miss Molly”

Click on the picture to the left to hear “Tutti Frutti” by Little Richard.

Elvis Presley

• Born January 8, 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi• Singer, guitarist, actor• “King of Rock’n’Roll”• Inspired by the rhythm and blues records he heard at

truck stops along his route as a truck driver• First single released was “Heartbreak Hotel” which

was a number one hit.• Other great hits were “I Forgot to Remember to

Forget,” “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Hound Dog,” “Love Me Tender,” and “Jailhouse Rock.”

Click on the picture to the right to hear “Heartbreak Hotel” by Elvis Presley.

Influence on People

• Music had a big influence on lifestyles, fashion, attitudes and language

• The word teenager was created in the 1950’s because teenagers were becoming more independent and free, partially with they're music interests– When rock’n’roll began they loved it

• Parents believed that the music they’re children listened to was the cause of the huge change– Seemed to be causing more rebellion and defensiveness

Influence on People (cont.)

• Main style was greasers and preppies– Greasers wore black leather and denim jeans like

in the movie “Grease”– Preppies wore circular or pleated skirts and scoop

neck blouses, cardigans, or tight polo necks• They began dressing this way once they began

being independent and listening to they're own kind of music

Work Cited• "Rock and roll -." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Web. 26 Feb. 2010.

<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_and_roll#Early_rock_and_roll_records>.

• "The 1950's Decade - 1950s - All-time top 100 music and songs." All-time Music Charts - Vinylsurrender Top, Best, Greatest Songs, Artists and Albums Ever. Web. 26 Feb. 2010. <http://www.vinylsurrender.com/Music/Decade/1950s.php>.

• "Doo-wop -." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Web. 26 Feb. 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doo_wop>.

• Stambler, Irwin. Encyclopedia of Pop, Rock, and Soul. Vol. 1. New York/ London: St. Martin's/ St. James Pres, 1997.

• "Rock and Roll History." Salsa, tango, rock and roll, belly dance. Web. 26 Feb. 2010. <http://www.esto.es/rock/english/history.htm>.

Work Cited (cont.)• "Johnny Cash -." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Web. 26 Feb. 2010.

<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_cash>.• "Elvis Presley -." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Web. 26 Feb. 2010.

<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elvis_presley>.• "Little Richard -." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Web. 25 Feb. 2010.

<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_richard>.• "1940's Music played in the 40's Bands groups singers memories from The

People History Site." Where People, History and Memories Join Together from The People History Site. Web. 26 Feb. 2010. <http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/40smusic.html>.

• "The Doo-Wop Sound." The History of Rock and Roll. Web. 26 Feb. 2010. <http://www.history-of-rock.com/DooWopSound.htm>.

• "THE HISTORY OF JAZZ MUSIC - BIG BAND ERA." Swing Music Net - Jazz Music And Jazz History. Web. 26 Feb. 2010. <http://www.swingmusic.net/getready.html>.