While we were working in the Wonderopolis barn loft, we overheard an interesting conversation between two cows:
Cow 1: Hey Bessie! What are you listening to?
Cow 2: Howdy Buttercup! I just love this new song by Justin Beefer. He’s my favorite!
Cow 1: Really? I’ve never been a big fan of his.
Cow 2: Why not? Who’s your favorite musician?
Cow 1: I have several favorites: Lady MooMoo, Green Hay, New Calves on the Block, Fleetwood Milk, Moo Fighters, Udders ‘n Hoses.
Cow 2: Wow, Buttercup! I had no idea you loved music so much!
We had no idea that cows loved music so much either! As we finished up our work in the loft, the cows’ conversation stayed with us. It seemed like they had a preference for good old rock and roll music. Has that always been the case? And who actually created rock and roll?
Rock and roll — sometimes written rock ‘n’ roll or rock & roll — can be difficult to define, but people recognize it when they hear it. Compared to other genres of music, it’s more unique and exciting. It’s enjoyable. It’s spontaneous. It’s like an unrestrained soundtrack for rebellion.
Rock and roll was born in America during the 1950s and, similar to America, it was the result of the efforts of many individuals over many years. No single person can take credit for inventing rock and roll.
Instead, rock and roll was the culmination of various paths converging towards the same destination. Black rhythm and blues artists worked alongside white pop and country artists, learning from each other and blending their sounds.
Resourceful producers and forward-thinking disc jockeys discovered a new audience — teenagers — and began promoting and developing a new style of music that resonated with the youth of that time. It was a fresh style that brought together the best of what had been brewing for years.
Many people attribute the beginning of rock and roll to Elvis Presley in 1954. However, it is important to acknowledge the role his producer, Sam Phillips, played in discovering this young talent in Memphis, Tennessee.
Elvis definitely made rock and roll more popular, but even he did not claim to have invented it. He knew that its roots stretched back further to the people who influenced him, such as B.B. King, Ray Charles, and Ike Turner.
The new sounds that emerged in the early 1950s were promoted to a young audience by various influential radio disc jockeys. One of the most influential among them was Alan Freed from Cleveland, Ohio. His late-night radio show, The Moondog Rock & Roll House Party, played a significant role in popularizing this new genre as “rock and roll.”
Freed started organizing concerts in Cleveland. The first concert caused a riot because the venue couldn’t accommodate the large number of attendees. The youth of Cleveland loved Freed’s show and the new music he was promoting. Today, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is located in Cleveland.
There were other pioneers who contributed to the emergence of rock and roll, such as Fats Domino, Little Richard, Bo Diddley, Buddy Holly, and Jerry Lee Lewis. However, Chuck Berry is often recognized by rock and roll historians as the musician who came closest to fully establishing rock and roll as a medium for songwriters.
Regardless of who receives credit, rock and roll developed from a blend of different musical styles in a way that seemed inevitable. If it hadn’t been Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley, it would have been someone else. What is certain is that their contributions helped create a new genre of music that forever changed the landscape of music itself. Long live rock and roll!
Give It a Try
Are you prepared to rock? Are you ready to roll? Gather a few friends and family members and try out the following activities:
- Take a trip down memory lane! Invite a friend or family member to join you as you explore the internet for videos and/or audio clips of songs from the early 1950s. Look for songs by Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, Fats Domino, Ike Turner, Little Richard, Buddy Holly, and Jerry Lee Lewis. Do you recognize any of the songs? Can you detect influences of rhythm and blues, country, or pop in the songs? Do you believe that today’s music is better than early rock and roll? Why or why not?
- Are there any new music trends emerging today? Over time, various new genres have gained popularity, ranging from disco and grunge to heavy metal and electronica. What types of music are most popular today? Do you see any artists pushing boundaries to create a new style of music? If so, what is it? Have a conversation with an older friend or family member about the type of music that was most popular when they were growing up. What type of music do you think your children and grandchildren will enjoy the most?
- Do you have a passion for music? Take some time today to appreciate the amazing art form that is music. Grab your preferred music player and sit down with a friend or family member to share some of your favorite tunes. Choose songs that you like because of their rhythm or lyrics. Discuss how the songs make you feel and why you enjoy them. Ask your friends and family members for their own recommendations. You never know when you might discover a new favorite artist!
Sources of Wonder
- https://www.britannica.com/art/rock-and-roll-early-style-of-rock-music
- http://www.nysun.com/arts/who-really-invented-rock-n-roll/2037/
- http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/magazine-feature/7735698/chuck-berry-rock-n-roll-teenagers-inventor
- http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/11/16/the-elvic-oracle
- https://case.edu/ech/articles/r/rock-n-roll/
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