Rock History (Rock Guitar Chords and Accompaniment)

A BRIEF HISTORY OF ROCK

Rock is an American music form that emerged during the 1950s and has since become the most popular and dominant form of music worldwide. Although numerous sub-styles of rock exist, rock music is typically characterized by its driving rhythm, strong beat, and electric accompaniment—particularly electric guitar.

Rock music started in the early 1950s as covers of rhythm and blues—a popular music idiom developed by African-Americans that combined elements of urban blues, gospel, and jazz. While rhythm and blues was mostly popular among black audiences during the late 1940s, a Cleveland disc jockey, Alan Freed, renamed it rock ‘n’ roll in 1951 and played an important role in bringing the music to white teenagers. Meanwhile, the success of rhythm and blues songs led record companies to issue covers—alternative versions recorded by white artists—to better appeal to white audience. Covers—regardless of its music quality—eased the transition for white listeners by tailoring lyrics and adding new flavors of country-and-western and popular music. Although the audience was still tentative about accepting black music, Bill Haley’s “Rock Around the Clock” in 1954 made the first important breakthrough for rock ‘n’ roll with its driving dance rhythms and refreshing lyrics. Then Elvis Presley released “Heartbreak Hotel” in 1956, and it broke all sales records. When, in that same year, he had four more No. 1 hits with “Hound Dog,” “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Love Me Tender,” and “Any Way You Want Me,” the new era of rock ‘n’ roll began. Sometimes called rockabilly, Presley’s style was a combination of rhythm and blues and country music characterized by simple chord progressions and song forms. His accompaniment, consisting of an electric guitar, a string bass, and an acoustic rhythm guitar, was soon adopted by other musicians. Although he was a devoted son to his parents, Presley was idolized by young people as symbol of rebellion with his long sideburns and his hallmark hip-twist move that hinted at sexuality. Not only did his music help develop and popularize the style of music, but he was also the first rock ‘n’ roll superstar who brought the cult of personality and became the archetype of the rock hero. In the meantime, rock ‘n’ roll was further developed and refined by such other performers as Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly, The Everly Brothers, and Fats Domino.

After the rock-music industry experienced a brief slump in the late 1950s, the golden age of rock ‘n’ roll arrived in the 1960s. First, a quartet from Liverpool , England , called The Beatles emerged and dominated the record market in the early 1960s and almost single-handedly revived rock ‘n’ roll. Once their popularity was established, instead of repeating the formula that brought them early success, they moved on in the mid-1960s to experiment with song forms, textures, instrumentation, lyrics, and recordings. In particular, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, released in 1967, is considered the first rock concept album and established a new standard. The Beatles not only revolutionized various aspects of popular music, but they also helped rock ‘n’ roll evolve into an art form of greater sophistication and complexity.

Numerous sub-styles of rock also developed during the 1960s…. (cont.)

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