Postwar United States (1945 to early 1970s)

Social Movements

Arts

This collection uses primary sources to explore the early history of Rock and Roll music.

A photograph of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, ca. 1947.

A photograph of Elvis Presley performing with the Blue Moon Boys in 1956.

A photograph of Chuck Berry performing in 1965.

A video clip of a 1974 Chuck Berry performance.

A 2014 radio program about the song “Tutti Frutti,” which was performed by Little Richard and written by him and Dorothy LaBostrie. 

An excerpt from a video interview with Dorothy LaBostrie discussing “Tutti Frutti” and the relationship of gospel, blues, and rock ’n’ roll.

A photograph of the Beatles with Ed Sullivan, the television show host who helped introduce them to America, 1964.

A photograph by Art Frisch of a clash between a Beatles fan club and an anti-Beatles group, 1964.

An excerpt from *Louie Louie: The History and Mythology of the World's Most Famous Rock ‘n’ Roll Song*, by Dave Marsh, 2004. 

An excerpt from a video interview with Martha Reeves of Martha and the Vandellas discussing Motown’s etiquette expert Maxine Powell.

A poster by William S. Henry for a Bo Diddley and Lee Michaels concert, 1967.

A 2015 radio program about Bob Dylan’s controversial decision to go electric, including clips of the performance and the audience booing.

An excerpt from a 2009 sound recording of a news interview with a DJ, a historian, and Richie Havens, the first performer at Woodstock.

Questions

1. Music historian William McKeen compares American airwaves to an apartheid state before rock ’n’ roll. Some musicians claim that rock combated prejudice and advanced civil rights. Discuss the reasons for such claims, using the [radio program about “Tutti Frutti”](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/rock-and-roll-beginnings-to-woodstock/sources/591) and the videos of [Chuck Berry](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/rock-and-roll-beginnings-to-woodstock/sources/590) and [Dorothy LaBostrie](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/rock-and-roll-beginnings-to-woodstock/sources/592).
2. Look up the lyrics to “Memphis,” the song Chuck Berry performs in the [video](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/rock-and-roll-beginnings-to-woodstock/sources/590). Now view the [photograph of the anti-Beatles group](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/rock-and-roll-beginnings-to-woodstock/sources/594) and the [concert poster](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/rock-and-roll-beginnings-to-woodstock/sources/597), listen to the [radio program about “Tutti Frutti,”](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/rock-and-roll-beginnings-to-woodstock/sources/591)  and read [Dave Marsh’s discussion](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/rock-and-roll-beginnings-to-woodstock/sources/595) of the FBI investigation of the Kingsmen’s “Louie Louie.” Explain why some perceived rock ’n’ roll as a threat and protested against it. Discuss the similarities between the controversy over rock ’n’ roll and contemporary controversies in popular culture, such as violence in video games or objectification of women in hip hop.
3. Some thought rock ’n’ roll would be a trend that would not last—music for teens and tweens. Using three of the primary sources in this set, explain rock ’n’ roll’s endurance, including why it might appeal to all kinds of listeners.

Activity

William S. Henry’s 1967 [poster](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/rock-and-roll-beginnings-to-woodstock/sources/597) demonstrates the important relationship between rock ’n’ roll and design, from concert posters to album art. Form small groups of students and assign to each group one of the musical artists mentioned here: Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Carole King, “Big Mama” Thornton, Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, the Beatles, the Kingsmen, Martha and the Vandellas, Bo Diddley, Lee Michaels, Bob Dylan, and Richie Havens. Each group will research their musical artist and create a concert poster or album cover.

Teaching Guide: Exploring the Beginnings of Rock ‘n’ Roll

Resources

1. [Featured Collections](http://rockhall.com/exhibits/featured-collections/), The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 
2. [Birth of Rock](http://teachrock.org/book/birth-of-rock/), Rock and Roll: An American Story. 
3. [Rock Music Timeline](http://www.rockmusictimeline.com/), rockmusictimeline.com. 
4. [The History of Rock ‘n’ Roll: The Golden Decade 1954-1963](http://www.history-of-rock.com/non_frames.htm), history-of-rock.com. 

Overview

Rock ’n’ roll emerged as a new musical genre in the 1950s, blending African American traditions such as blues and gospel with white American country music and Western swing. It made an important impact on America and the world by inspiring and contributing to social and cultural change. Rock signified rebellion and young people’s rejection of their parents’ music, attitudes, and expectations. It also offered a bridge between races, classes, religions, and cultures. Before rock ’n’ roll, record companies, radio stations, concerts, and popular television variety shows were segregated, officially or unofficially. Rock ’n’ roll brought black artists and musical traditions to white artists and listeners, both in the US and overseas. For example, musicians like Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf inspired young people in England who formed influential bands including the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin. While male artists were most visible in the early days of rock, women including Carole King, Cynthia Weil, Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton, and Marion Keisker played important roles as composers, lyricists, singers, and talent scouts. Rock music addressed contemporary events and challenged conventions of music. Elvis Presley, the so-called “King of Rock ’n’ Roll,” represented and helped to popularize rock’s blending of musical styles and genres, unifying of disparate audiences, and rebellious spirit.

English

Rock 'n' Roll: Beginnings to Woodstock

rock-and-roll-beginnings-woodstock_07_c358de7e3e1c31322a2cf34d4e788975.jpg

Courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery via the Smithsonian Institution.

“Ed Sullivan and the Beatles,” Digital Public Library of America, https://dp.la/item/c358de7e3e1c31322a2cf34d4e788975.

A photograph of the Beatles with Ed Sullivan, the television show host who helped introduce them to America, 1964.

Cite this item

Tips for Students

Item 7 of 13 in the Primary Source Set Rock 'n' Roll: Beginnings to Woodstock