Written Report (Rock and Roll)

Content

I. Theoretical Description of Rock and Roll

II. Origin of Rock and Roll

III. Decline of Rock and Roll

IV. Social Effects of Rock and Roll

V. Fashion

VI. Pinoy Rock

 I. Rock and Roll

Rock and roll, often denoted as rock & roll or rock 'n' roll, is a genre of popular music that

originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s. It is

characterized by the use of electric guitars, a strong rhythm with an accent on the offbeat, simple,

often repetitive and youth-oriented lyrics. Rock and roll is primarily from a combination of the

blues, country music and gospel music. During the 1950s, the term rock and roll was actually a

synonym for black R&B (rhythm and blues). Much rock music is performed at high volume

levels. This musical form became famous among African- American audiences after World War

II.

II. Origin of Rock and Roll

Rock and roll was originated in southern United States of America. The immediate roots

of rock and roll lay in the so-called "race music" and hillbilly music of the 1940s and 1950s.

Particularly significant influences were jazz, blues, boogie woogie, country, folk and gospel

music.

In the 1930s, jazz and swing were among the first music to present African American

sounds for a predominately white audience. The 1940s saw the increased use of blaring horns

which includes saxophone, shouted lyrics and boogie woogie beats in jazz based music. During

and immediately after World War II, large jazz bands were less economical and tended to be

substituted by smaller combos, using guitars, bass and drums. Akin to this, country boogie and

Chicago electric blues supplied many of the elements that would be seen as characteristic of rock

and roll.
 Rock and roll arrived at time of developments in electronic technology, soon after the

development of the electric guitar, amplifier and microphone, and the 45 rpm record. Rock

musicians have developed new studio recording techniques, such as multi-tracking, the process

of recording different song segments at different times and layering them on top of one another

and digital sampling, the reproduction by a computer of the patterns of a particular sound. Rock

concerts often feature high-tech theatrical stage effects including synchronized lighting.

In 1951, the term “rock and roll” was first used (1951) by a Cleveland disc jockey (DJ),

Alan Freed to label the music he aired and was taken from the song "My Baby Rocks Me with a

Steady Roll".

Before then, “rocking" was a term used by black gospel singers in the American South to

refer to something akin to spiritual rapture. In 1916, the term "rocking and rolling" was used with

a religious connotation. On the other hand, the verb "roll" was a primitive metaphor to denote

"having sex". In the early twentieth century, the phrase "rocking and rolling" was secular black

slang for dancing or sex. The terms “rocking and rolling” were often used together to illustrate

the movement of a ship at sea.

III. Decline of Rock and Roll

The decline rock and roll was perceived in the late 1950s and early 1960s. There were

several reasons why the said genre had deteriorated. First, the death of Buddy Holly who

developed the basic four-piece instrumentation of rock bands (drum set and lead, rhythm, and

bass guitars) and created his own studio recordings, The Big Bopper and Richie Valens

American rock-and-roll singer, songwriter, and guitarist, in a plane crash in 1959. Second, the

departure of Elvis Presley, one of the well-known early pioneers of rock music, for the army. He
fused the sounds of country music and rhythm-and-blues influences with what was then the new

rock-and-roll style. Another reason was the retirement of Little Richard, a singer and songwriter,

to become a preacher. Fourth, the trials of Jerry Lee Lewis, American rock singer and pianist

who was popular for his wild, piano-pounding performances, and Chuck Berry, American singer

and composer, one of the first musicians to carry the influence of rhythm-and-blues music to

mainstream rock and roll, and lastly, the breaking of the payola scandal (which associated major

figures, including Alan Freed, in bribery and corruption in promoting individual acts or songs).

IV. Social Effects of Rock and Roll

The social effects of rock and roll were universal and massive. Lifestyles, fashion, attitudes,
and language were influenced by rock and roll. Cars, school, dating, and clothing were the
common issues covered in this genre. The rock and roll songs described events and conflicts that
most listeners could relate. Issues that had never been dealt in music, such as sex, began to be
presented in rock and roll music. This new genre of music tried to disrupt boundaries and state
the real emotions that people were feeling.

Rock and roll was seen as a way for unity, in creating a new form of music that encouraged
racial cooperation and shared experience. Rock and roll was also associated with atheism. Many
well-known rock and roll stars were atheists and agnostics. Examples were Lemmy of
Motörhead, Kerry King of Slayer and Noel Gallagher of Oasis. John Lennon’s “Imagine” is one
song that described a world with the absence of religion. Sex and drugs were also associated with
rock and roll artist. Many famous rock and roll stars were known to use drugs specifically LSD
and other hallucinogenic drugs. The fame and advertising of recreational drug use by musicians
may have influenced the youths to use drugs and to perceive that usage of drugs is an acceptable
act.
 V. Fashion

Rock music and fashion have been linked. The tough, leather-clad image of early rockers
influenced the youth. Rock musicians adopted hippie fashion and introduced such styles as the
Nehru jacket. The Beatles had custom-made clothing that influenced much of 1960s style. In
1960s, The Beatles brought mop-top haircuts, collarless blazers, and Beatle Boots into fashion
(see Appendix for samples of fashion statement under rock and roll genre).

VI. Foreign Artists and their Hit Songs

The Beatles, British rock music group and composed of four members namely John Lennon,
George Harrison, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr revolutionized popular music around the
world in the 1960s. The Beatles was recognized as the most successful music group in the
history. Some of their songs were “Come Together”, “Strawberry Fields Forever”, “Twist and
Shout”, “Yesterday”, “Love Me Do” and “Help”.

Elvis Presley is one of the most popular and influential entertainers of the 20th century.
Presley is known as an early pioneer of rock music, fusing the sounds of country music and
rhythm-and-blues influences with what was then the new rock-and-roll style. His extraordinary
performances made Presley one of the first mass idols of American popular culture. “It’s Now or
Never”, “Good Luck Charm”, “Return To Sender”, “Crying In the Chapel”, “In The Ghetto” and
“Suspicious Minds” were some of the popular songs of Elvis Presley.

VII. Pinoy Rock

Pinoy Rock, or Filipino Rock, is the brand of rock music produced in the Philippines. Bobby
Gonzales is one of the first popular Filipino rock stars. His major hit was "Hahabul-Habol." Eddie
Mesa became popular as the "Elvis Presley of the Philippines". Many Filipinos referred to Rock
bands as "combos".

Another pioneer of rock and roll music in the Philippines was the Juan Dela Cruz Band. The
band consists of drummer, Joey "Pepe" Smith, bassist Mike Hanopol, and lead guitarist Wally
Gonzales. This band was often credited for ushering in the first "rock & roll revolution" in the
Philippines that lasted from the late '60s to the late '70s or the Golden Age of Pinoy Rock. They
were also considered as the “grandfathers” of Pinoy Rock. Some of their songs were “Himig
Natin”, “Titser's Enemi No. 1”, “Mamasyal Sa Pilipinas”, “Panahon”, “Inday”, “Balong
Malalim”, “No Touch”, “Project”, “Beep Beep”, “Rock & Roll Sa Ulan” and “Rock & Roll Sa
Mundo”.
 Appendix

Joey “Pepe” Smith- Juan dela Cruz Band

Rock and Roll Fashion Statement

 References Cited

Rock and roll. Retrieved on May 9, 2010 from www.wikipedia.com.

Social effects of rock and roll. Retrieved on May 9, 2010 from www.wikipedia.com.

Pinoy rock. Retrieved on May 9, 2010 from www.wikipedia.com.

Waterman, Chris. "Rock Music." Microsoft® Student 2007 [DVD]. Redmond, WA: Microsoft
Corporation, 2006.