ICONS OF ROCK’N’ROLL
The New York Disc Jockey Alan Freed did popularize the term rock’n’roll to this teen-oriented form of music that evolved from a fusion of Rockabilly, R&B and gospel, but this term was first an African-American slang for sex. its early forms, rock’n’roll was more similar to R&B in terms of feel and structure. Songs like Rocket 88 by Ike Turner and the Kings of Rhythm were one of the first rock’n’roll songs than started this new genre. This song was produced by Sam Philips, owner of Sun Records, a small independent label which, along Memphis Recording Service, then later became synonymous with the birth of rock’n’roll. Having opened his studio to different R&B Artists and blues performers, Sam Phillips then started working with local country acts while looking for a white singer who could bring black music to the masses. This Artist was Elvis Presley who in collaboration with guitarist Scotty Moore and bass player Bill Black, contrived a hybrid sound which was influenced by Country, Gospel and Blues. When white American southerners listened to Elvis’s new songs for the first time, many of them assumed that they were listening to a black singer. The very first song that gave Elvis world wide recognition was Heartbreak Hotel, this song was recorded and released by the huge RCA. Other famous singles he releases after that were Blue Sede Shoes,Hound Dog and Jailhouse Rock.
Meanwhile, another Sam Phillips discovery was Jerry Lee Lewis, The Killer from Ferriday, Louisiana, whose arrogant and aggressive pereformaces quickly stablished him as one of the rock’n’roll most inspirational figure of this time. He melded R&B and Boogie-Style piano. His most famous songs were Whole Lotta Shakin, Great Ball of Fire, Breathless and Highschool Confidential. If Elvis Presley was rock’n’roll’s greatest symbol, Jerry Lee Lewis was it’s wildest white performer.
Another classic voice of the rock’n’roll was Little Richard, delivering an extraordinary energetic singing, punctuated with falsetto, perfectly matched his flamboyant appearance. Songs like Tutti Frutti, Long Tall Sally, Rip It Up, She’s Got It, Lucille and Good Golly Miss Molly were his most popular hits.
Another classic voice of the rock’n’roll was Little Richard, delivering an extraordinary energetic singing, punctuated with falsetto, perfectly matched his flamboyant appearance. Songs like Tutti Frutti, Long Tall Sally, Rip It Up, She’s Got It, Lucille and Good Golly Miss Molly were his most popular hits.
This is a reduction for piano of an average rock’n’roll riff. The pulsing chords in the top change from major to minor over the second two bars, creating the distinctive rock’n’roll feel. The bass line is solid playing a rolling up and down pattern that moves with the chords.
Other Important icons of this genre were Chuck Berry, Eddie Cochran, Bill Haley and Gene Vincent (among others)
Chuck Berry
Eddie Cochran
Buddy Holly
Gene Vincent