Jonathan Myer Mr. Heath AP U.S. History 02/25/2011 The Influence of Rock and Roll Music on the ‘60s generation From Elvis Presley to the Beech Boys, from the Beatles to the Rolling Stones, From Jimi Hendrix to Led Zeppelin, all of these artists share one thing: a love for Rock and Roll. Culture in the 1960s changed dramatically, mainly by the influence of Rock and Roll Music and the prominent figures of Rock and Roll influenced change in the three ways. First, the younger generations were more effected by this music, so they were more ready to protest and riot for a cause against the war and the draft. Secondly, Rock influenced the spread of peace and love which gave birth to the massive gathering of Woodstock. Thirdly, Rock started the
Samuel Futterman Rock’N Roll and America’s 1950 Culture Shock During the 1950s a new sensation exploded all over America changing the lives of all ages. That sensation was Rock’N Roll. At the time, it new musical genre based on the African-American musical styles Rhythm and Blues and Jazz. Rock’N Roll indirectly helped the civil rights movement move forward, and is a constantly evolving style that we still can enjoy today. It also helped changed American society’s values regarding what is appropriate or offensive to broadcast.
Beetle-mania developed an almost cult-like following, and the band, consisting of four all-male members reached world-shattering popularity. The artists were Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, John Lennon, and George Harrison. Their music was largely considered a positive influence, and the performers had a clean-cut image. They began their career playing British pubs, and by 1960 had been discovered by Brian Epstein, who became their manager. Their producer, George Martin helped Brian Espstein push this group, dubbed the “Fab Four” toward international stardom by 1964.
Swing music was dance music performed by big bands and featured complex solo improve acts by some of the best musicians in the scene. Swing was broadcast on the radio from coast to coast nightly and many Americans would tune in to dance all night to the upbeat tempo. In the 1930s, the Kansas City Jazz movement marked the transition from the big band style usually seen to the more improvised bebop. Bebop started to emerge in the 1940s and shifted from the danceable styles like swing, to more of a challenging musician’s music. Differing greatly from swing music, bebop was music that was supposed to be enjoyed by listening to and not danced to.
Also in his era of music Jimi Hendrix seemed to be an influential person in the music community as well. Winning several high profile rock music awards; Jimi Hendrix was inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame due to his impressive musical ideas. It is also said that the Woodstock Festival belong to Jimi Hendrix playing the “Star-Spangled Banner” in such a unusual way but impressive to ears of some in which most of the people was gone
“We were just the spokesmen for a generation”, answered Paul McCartney when asked about his thoughts on the roles of rock music in the 1960’s (Szatmary 97), “I try to use my music to move these people to act”, said legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix when asked about the motives of his music (Jimi). Both these men were very aware of the influence they held as Rock musicians, and acted upon that knowledge as is evident in their lyrics. There were many other musicians at the time that found themselves in the same position. The position where their music had more value to it than just entertainment, where it could actually bring about change. Rock music brought about the cultural revolutions of the sixties and seventies.
Music was changing in the sixties decade, in the fifties it was all about rock’n’roll, this changed when pop music and acid rock became popular. The music of the this decade promoted dropping out of society, doing drugs, and helped popularize the word “hip” (Miller 222). The Beatles were one of the most influential bands of their time and changed the way people listened to music forever (Miller 222). During the sixties teens were swept up by the Beatlemania. Another thing teens were crazy about were music festivals.
There are many people who contribute to music but there are just some people who had an impact on the genre as a whole. Some of those people in the old generation were Elvis Presley, Little Richard, and Buddy Holly. Chuck Berry was one of the first black rock and roll performers to appeal to black and white audiences. Since Elvis Presley, The Beatles had the greatest impact on rock music. (The history of rock music) Every music genre has its own identity.
One of the most profound differences is the way both types of music came about. Rock and roll started back in the early 60’s. It was a time when the Vietnam War had just begun. Steppenwolf, The Beetles, and The Doors all were sending out soulful messages through their music. They were singing about war, drugs, and love instead of war.
Music has been used to bring people together, to influence people, and to even cure a conflict. The Vietnam War is an era which best exemplifies this power of music. In the eyes of many, the Vietnam War was one that should never have been fought; yet it ushered in one of the most aspiring eras of music in American history. Music may have been influential in American culture before the Vietnam War, but this event triggered the most significant musical revolution in the young country’s history because not only was music used as a means of protest and propaganda on the home front, but soldiers abroad also used it for everything from military strategy to moral support. The art form of music influenced the culture of the Vietnam War era more than most musical eras have ever impacted their respective cultures.