What is rock and roll? The history of the genre and its features

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Rock and roll music in the mid-50s grew out of the fertile soil of the blues, becoming a solid foundation for the development of a very versatile direction called "rock". It was in North America, when the youth suddenly "went crazy" and began to do something unimaginable on the guitar. Very soon, the rock and roll epidemic swept the whole world, causing a violent protest of the older generation. But why was it this way and not otherwise? The usual conflict of fathers and children, or something more? The article will help you understand this issue and understand what rock and roll really is.

Journey through history

What is rock and roll, translated into Russian? Literally, it can be translated as "roll and swing." This style owes its name to Alan Freed, a DJ who worked at one of the Cleveland radio stations. The guy quickly realized that young representatives of the white race were not indifferent to the music of the "blacks", so he often filled the air with the Negro music of that time. The name rock and roll was suggested to the DJ by the song We'll rock, we'll roll in 1952, and after that he came to grips with the promotion of the new genre. He did this not only through radio waves, but also arranged balls with rock and roll dances. They were visited by representatives of both races, which was a "bone in the throat" for the general public.

The reason for the negative attitude towards African Americans

After World War II, blacks in the United States were treated even worse than before. They were severely restricted in their rights and humiliated in every possible way. Therefore, the older generation disliked Negro music, preferring country music to it, devoid of bright emotional coloring. However, young people were looking for new heroes and music that could express their protest and disagreement with established norms. They believed that everyone is equal before God and every person deserves respect. African music was very colorful, interesting and very different from the popular at that time. Therefore, the young population often tuned radios to "black radio waves" and enjoyed the new rhythmic sound.

Parents were against the emerging tolerance and declared war on the newly minted genre. The media began to refer to rock and roll as nothing more than a "black contagion" that threatens the well-being of America. It got to the point that schoolchildren were forbidden to walk in jeans. That's what rock 'n' roll was all about at that time - it was first and foremost an irreconcilable struggle.

Cool changes

It could lastforever, but in the 54th Bill Hale, who performed the song Rock Around the Clock, became a herald of something new and unprecedented. However, the composition gained popularity only after the release of the film "Slate Jungle", in which it sounded as a soundtrack. True, the 30-year-old Bill himself did not pull on a youth hero, but Elvis Presley very soon became the true king of rock and roll.

Time passed, new idols appeared, each of which brought something fresh to the genre. As a result, the Beatles became a vivid example to follow, who, along with Elvis, are revered to this day.

Our times

Despite the spiteful critics who wrote back in the late 50s that rock and roll is dead, this is far from the case. As long as Elvis and other idols are remembered, the genre remains more alive than all living things, and this is an irrefutable fact. How else can one explain the interest of young people in half a century old vinyls? In addition, this style gave life to rock, which will certainly never die. The most famous rock and roll song to this day is Rock Around The Clock ("Rock around the clock"), which became the best-selling in the history of this musical direction.

Acrobat rock and roll

This is a dance form based on the Lindy Hop style. However, unlike the latter, rock and roll requires staging and combines both acrobatic and choreographic elements. It is usually performed in pairs to rhythmic music with a frequency of 42 to 52 beats per minute. The rock and roll dance itself lasts no more than 1.5 minutes, and the main movementsperformed with the feet. Complex acrobatic elements are its pearl, becoming the main criterion for choosing winners in sports competitions.

Distinguishing Features

Rock-n-roll is exactly the kind of music that makes your feet dance on their own. It is difficult to resist its rhythm and overflowing energy. Rock and roll has a special place in dance culture. The style was formed by mixing jazz, boogie-woogie, gospel and rhythm and blues, but white performers brought some country elements into it. Standard set of instruments - saxophone, electric guitar, drums and piano.

What is rock and roll? We can say that this is a perpetual motion machine that will never stall. Thanks to him, such legendary bands as Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple were born.