Module+3



You have arrived in the 1950’s, 60’s, and 70’s!

Music in these decades changed radically as the years progressed. Particularly in the 60’s and the 70’s, the music of these years reflected the unrest and turmoil in the United States.

The decade of the 50's ushered in a new sound - Rock and Roll ! While it was a new sound, it really was not a new kind of music but rather a natural progression from the rhythm & blues and jazz that came before it.



Elvis Presley came on the scene in the mid 1950's. He is called the King of Rock & Roll! Listen to a bit of his first #1 hit - "Heartbreak Hotel".

Click below to hear Elvis Presley sing "Heartbreak Hotel" media type="file" key="Heartbreak Hotel Clip.mp3" width="360" height="78" align="center"

 Bill Haley and the Comets recorded  "Rock Around the Clock." It was not the first Rock & Roll recording, but it was the first successful Rock & Roll Recording! Click below to hear Bill Haley and the Comets sing "Rock Around the Clock" media type="file" key="Rock Around The Clock Clip.mp3" width="312" height="74" align="center"

One band of the Rock & Roll era that literally took the world by storm was The Beatles. If you have never heard of them, ask your parents. They performed with three electric guitars and a drum set. When they came onto the scene, everyone thought their hair was so long. This was the beginning of changes in the world that were seen as "radical." Do you think their hair is long?

Listen to a bit of "She Loves You," one of the songs The Beatles played on their American debut on the Ed Sullivan Show. Listen to The Beatles perform "She Loves You" media type="file" key="She Loves You Clip.mp3" width="369" height="30" align="center"

As the 60’s moved on, the music of the Beatles changed. It was influenced by the culture of the 60’s as well as the social unrest in the United States. As a group, the Beatles appearance changed, too. They really did grow their hair long!

The times, they certainly were a-changin'. **Folk Rock**, folk songs sung in a rock style, became popular when singing about changing events in the country.

Listen to Bob Dylan perform "Times They are A-Changin'" media type="file" key="Times They are A-Changin' Clip.mp3" width="354" height="28" align="center"

Woodstock was a music festival that was held for three days in August, 1969 in Upstate New York on a Dairy Farm. It was considered an event that changed popular music. //Rolling Stone// magazine calls it one of the 50 moments that changed the history of Rock and Roll. It featured over 30 rock bands! There were 500 THOUSAND people who came to hear the music. Can you imagine that kind of crowd on a farm?

 By the mid to late 70’s, the Viet Nam war was over. The mood in the country was brighter and was reflected in music. Dancing music was popular again and the style was ** Disco ** !  Groups like Abba came on the scene with popular hits, such as “Dancing Queen.” You may know this song because it became popular again a few years ago.  The movie “Saturday Night Fever” was a popular movie of the time and featured songs such as “Stayin’ Alive,” performed by the Bee Gees. You can’t help but want to dance when you hear the driving beat of the percussion! Listen to the Bee Gees perform "Stayin" Alive"  media type="file" key="Stayin' Alive Clip.mp3" width="290" height="70" align="center"

** See how much you have learned: ** 1. ** True or False ** - The music of this era reflected the mood and culture of the times. 2. ** True or False ** - Rock & Roll has its roots in rhythm & blues and jazz. 3. ** True or False ** - Elvis was known as the Prince of Rock & Roll. 4. ** True or False ** – Songs from the early 70’s were about peace, friendship, ecology, brotherhood, and love. 5. ** True or False ** – The driving beat of Disco music probably makes you feel like dancing. Answers can be found below Answers:  1. True. Music of this era DID reflect the mood and culture of the times. 2. True. Rock & Roll DID have its roots in rhythm & blues and jazz. 3. False. He was known as the KING of Rock & Roll  4. True. Songs from the '70's WERE about peace, friendship, ecology, brotherhood, and love. 5. True. The driving beat of Disco music probably DOES make you feel like dancing. Your time in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s is just about up. You’ve been a great traveler and you’ve come so far! Climb back in the Time Travel Machine and head for home to learn about the music of YOUR era! Click on the link below to fire up the time machine to send you to your next stop. **http://music-history-in-usa.wikispaces.com/Module+4**