18 Aug 2022

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The Anti-Establishment and Rock and Roll

Format: APA

Academic level: College

Paper type: Research Paper

Words: 1225

Pages: 2

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During the 1940s to early 1950, a popular genre of music known as Rock and Roll originated and evolved gradually in the United States of America. This popular music found its roots from the African American music styles during that time. Some of these types of music included jazz, country music, gospel, blues and rhythms, and the boogie-woogie (Chapple, 1987) . However , the Rock AND Roll took time to be identified and found its identity in 1954 officially. This genre of music was considered important because it had a power that was persistent through many generations and its authority was stronger than any other music kind. In the American society, Rock and Roll portrayed a huge impact for it helped in setting trends for other musical styles like pop music, neo-soul, and hip-hop. 

The reason why it became that popular is due to the fact that it paved way for originality in music as well as emphasizing on freedom of self-expression and free thought when it came to music. This kind of freedom has influenced artist pertaining to the music industry to freely address political issues and created an influence in the government (DeCurtis, 1992) . Apart from that, it also assisted the black artist in the 1950s to the 1970s to find pathways into the mainstream radio and allows their content to be heard and appreciated. In this paper, a survey on the Rock and Roll scene through the 1950s to the present will be discussed; also, the anti-establishment that came by in the Rock and Roll music will be looked into. 

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Rock and Roll come in different forms just like some music, there is heavy metal, alternative, punk music, grunge to classic rock. In Europe, the influence of this music has been experienced most unlike other parts of the world and cultures. Due to this, the market for Rock and Roll has been easy to explore and many kinds of music producing industries have emerged to support musicians in this genre, some of who are still recognized and valued in this era (Hansen, 1988) . In the American society, it was not easy for African American to blend in any kind of industry due to reasons well known. However, musicians like Elvis Presley and Litte Richard who were very good at the music industry found a paved way for them to allow for a black artist in the industry. This gradually made Rock ‘n’ Roll popular and a pacesetter in the United States of America. Upcoming and most musicians would look up to it for inspiration when writing songs as well (Altschuler, 2003) . Apart from it being an influence on some other music genres, it is evident that Rock ‘ n’ Roll was subjective to the clothing industry, dancing styles and even television. During the 1960s to the 1970s, popular songs at that time like the Chubby Checker Twist Rock came with a dancing craze that was exercised by many. 

Rock ‘n’ Roll in the American society became important just like some of their important cultures like soccer and baseball. It became a part of their culture as well as lifestyle. The reason for such popularity was due to its various trends and its sway over other musicals, fashion, attitudes, and even language. The popularity created in the music also help in the contribution of the civil rights movement in America. This started because as music influenced the culture and lifestyle, it brought about a sense of togetherness among the teens of Black society and of the white Americans who were very fond of the music (Altschuler, 2003) . 

In Britain, during the 1950s, Rock ‘n’ Roll music first emerged through a singer known as Tommy Steele. He was the first to perform a genre in the music industry in Stockholm in the year 1957. During that time, the influence of this musical taste created in this society was emerse, unlike others. Due to the interactive forms of association between different the American cultures which were in forms of stationing of troops and various communal developments, exposed to this music was received (Chapple, 1987) . As some of the musicians in this era adopted this genre, it submerged into other performing artist taking into account the popularity of it. Moreover, this popular choice also happened to affect the entertainment industry such as movies and most of the residents in Britain began to adapt to the culture and lifestyle found in it. 

In America’s culture and society, Rock ‘n’ Roll influence was greatly experienced. During the year 1950 to date, its impact on the society was like a driving force to unity and a dividing force among its listeners (Hansen, 1988) . Due to the mass media awareness of the music, it created a sense of discrimination among the government toward the Blacks and the teens of the same, but at the same time, it helped in the erosion of intolerance towards the African American society. Rock ‘ n’ Rock did not easily emerge, it received a lot of unfairness in its content among the White folks. This was because of the message it developed sexually and authoritative, most of the American parents were not comfortable with this due to the fact that it was from the Black community regardless of White performers’ interest in it. They believed that it created a defiant nature among the teens of that time and to date (Hansen, 1988) . However, this was just a stepping stone into the recognition of the music in the society. American teenagers became very fond of this music and it helped unite the teens and the society subconsciously. 

The Rock and Roll popularity among the teenagers helped to increase market in the music industry and made it achievable for it to sell extensively and progress the society. Apart from that, popular singer of the times, Frank Sinatra, helped to change the attitude of the government and parents by quoting some of the importance it caused in the society. Before the emergence of Rock ‘n’ Roll, the American society was under World War II activities which greatly affected the social status of the civil society (DeCurtis, 1992) . This music genre helped in the new revolution of the American society. This was especially experienced in the teens and it thereby helped in reuniting of the whole society as a whole. During the time teenagers were expected to help their families reach ends meet and therefore the idea of education was of least importance among the youth. This was the main source of these teenagers to experience loss of freedom and economic power for they worked and could not spend their produce on themselves rather their families. Therefore, the emergence of the rock n roll culture enabled these youths to experience freedom, unite, and encourage new fads amongst themselves (Altschuler, 2003) . 

Rock ‘n’ Roll music also created authenticity among musicians and enables them to easily sell their work. Due to the different ways of the music such as heavy metal and classic rock, it helped in the identification of various artists in picking styles to address the society through songs. Apart from that, most themes portrayed in the rock music as from the 1970s was peace in the society and love for one another (Altschuler, 2003) . This helped to shape the society to be friendlier. Some of the artists during the Vietnam wars were used in performances to speak to public gatherings using the same messages to encourage togetherness. Moreover, some other gospel-oriented rock artist helped to spread religious views in their music to the society. 

To conclude, Rock ‘n’ Roll music has had its difficulties in the society still to date as much as it were in the past year. This, however, has proven that as far as it is still in denial to the few, it has had an immense impact on the society socially, economically and even politically. 

References 

Altschuler, G. C. (2003). All shook up: how rock'n'roll changed America . Oxford: Oxford University Press. 

Chapple, S., & Garofalo, R. (1978). Rock'n'roll is here to pay: the history and politics of the music industry . Burnham. 

DeCurtis, A., Henke, J., & George-Warren, H. (Eds.). (1992). The rolling stone illustrated the history of rock & roll: The definitive history of the most important artists and their music . New Jersey: Rutgers University Press. 

Hansen, C. H., & Hansen, R. D. (1988). How rock music videos can change what is seen when boy meets girl: Priming stereotypic appraisal of social interactions. Sex Roles , 19 (5-6), 287-316. 

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