After WWII, teenagers began looking for music that would satisfy their need for rebellion. They found it in rhythm and blues.
Alan Freed was a radio DJ who had a
show called The Moondog Show. It marketed R&B to white teens. He was also the first to use the term rock
and roll.
Sam Phillips was the owner of Sun
Records. He wanted to find white
performers who could play R&B.
Les Paul created the first popular
mass-produced electric guitar. He
also invented multi-track recording.
Bill Haley and the Comets- Song Rock Around
the Clock. Used as the theme
song for teen rebellion hit movie Blackboard Jungle. Was the first #1 rock and roll Billboard
hit.
Elvis Presley- Song- Jailhouse Rock. Recorded with Sun Records. His title is The
King of Rock and Roll. He was
provocative onstage, charismatic on the screen.
Died in 1977 at the age of 42.
Had more Top 40 hits than anyone else ever has at 107.
Chuck Berry- Song- Johnny B. Goode. Signature move was the duckwalk Music was frequently copied by those who
followed. Didn’t get a #1 hit until
1976.
Fats Domino- Song- Blueberry Hill. Pianist and singer who sold more albums in the 50’s than anyone except Elvis.
Little Richard- Song- Tutti Frutti. Pianist and singer who laid some of the foundation for R&R with his shouted vocals.
Jerry Lee Lewis- Song- Great Balls of Fire. Pianist and singer. Signed with Sun Records. Played what he called The Devil’s Music.
Carl Perkins- Song- Blue Suede Shoes.
Signed with Sun Records. Influential in
Buddy Holly- Song- That’ll be the Day. Only played out for 2 years before his death in a plane crash in 1959. That day was called The Day the Music Died. Buddy Holly established the 4-piece instrumentation for a rock band, with these instruments:
1. Lead Guitar
2. Rhythm Guitar
3. Bass Guitar
4. Drums
Ritchie Valens- Song- La Bamba. First hispanic rock star. Died in same plane crash at the age of 17.
Big Bopper- Song- Chantilly Lace. Radio DJ turned singer who died in the same plane crash.