Rock+and+Roll


 * Rock and Roll**

Rock and roll emerged as a defined musical style in America in the 1950s, and contains combined elements of blues, boogie woogie, jazz and rhythm and blues, and is also influenced by traditional Appalachian folk music, gospel and country and western. Because it was born in a technological era, rock and roll was the first form of music to be recorded in a studio before being performed live. This is a reversal of jazz or classical music, in which the recording is meant to preserve a live performance. Later rock musicians were to take advantage of this studio orientation to create works impossible to perform live. Although it is clearly defined by the use of guitars and drum kits, virtually no instrument can now be excluded from a rock band, including the piccolo trumpet used in The Beatles' Penny Lane, the cello that graced most of the work of the Electric Light Orchestra, or even "Weird Al" Yankovic's accordion. Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Fats Domino, Ray Charles, The Everly Brothers and Elvis Presley were notable performers in the 1950s.

Popular Rock and Roll Songs:
 * Purple Haze - Jimi Hendrix
 * A Day In The Life - Beatles
 * AC/DC - Highway to Hell
 * Whole Lotta Love - Led Zeppelin
 * My Generation - The Who

Literary Movement Music of the 20th Century (Home)