Pop, Folk, and the Roots of Rock and Roll: American Music from1950-54

Popular Music after Swing• The major record companies, royalty agency (ASCAP),

and radio networks focus on big band singers and ballads.

• Italian-American singers are often featured following the popularity of Frank Sinatra (first Teen Idol).

• Major record companies have their stars cover big hits from the Country and (to a lesser extent) the R&B charts.

• Songs: “Mona Lisa”-Nat King Cole• “Tennessee Waltz” – Patti Page• “You Belong to Me” – Jo Stafford• “Vaya Con Dios” – Les Paul & Mary Ford• “Cold Cold Heart” – Tony Bennett

Changes After WWII• Early television programs forced radio to move

away from concerts and dramas to playing records.

• Inexpensive radio sets allow most families to own more than one.

• Changes instituted by the FCC allow rapid growth of new radio stations (AM stations

increased from approximately 940 in December of 1945 to 2400 in 1952).

• Independent record labels record music the larger labels dropped during the Great Depression and War Years.

Honky Tonk MusicA new form of country music that is still very

popular today.

• It features guitar, steel guitar, fiddle, bass, and drums.

• Themes involve drinking and losing your woman.

Songs: “Your Cheatin’ Heart”

–Hank Williams• “If You’ve Got the Money, I’ve Got

the Time” – Lefty Frizzell

Another Renaissance?• Just like with Jazz thirty years earlier, young

Whites were attracted to the exciting and quickly expanding style of R&B music.

• American teenagers have more time and money to spend on leisure.

• Businesses (including record companies and radio stations) begin to target the new teen market.

Types of R&B: Chicago Blues• Small group style (electric guitar, bass,

drums, piano, harmonica).

• Closer to Delta Blues than other styles.

• Not as smooth, upbeat, or jazzy.

• Not as popular nationally as other styles (especially with American Teens)

• Songs: “Hoochie Coochie Man” –Muddy Waters• “Smokestack Lightning” –Howlin’ Wolf

Types of R&B: Memphis Blues

• Features a horn section.

• Still close to Delta Blues, but incorporates a smoother, jazzier style than Chicago.

• One of the most popular straight blues styles of the Fifties.

• Song: “You Upset Me Baby” – B.B. King

New Orleans Blues and R&B• Jazzier and more syncopated style

• Often the piano is featured rather than guitar; Horns are also featured

• One of the most popular styles nationally (R&B Charts)

Songs: “Lawdy Miss Clawdy” – Lloyd Price

“The Fat Man” – Fats Domino

Types of R&B: New Jump Blues• Rhythm section (bass, drums) is

emphasized more; more pronounced beat

• Smaller horn section rather than full band

• Similar vocal style

• Very Popular nationally (R&B charts)

Songs:

“Shake, Rattle, And Roll” – Big Joe Turner

“Teardrops From My Eyes” - Ruth Brown

Types of R&B: Vocal Groups• Different stylistically than Pop groups of

the Forties (Mills Brothers, Ink Spots)

• Range from bluesy to more gospel influenced

• Amount of instrumental backing varies

Songs: “Crying in The Chapel” – The Orioles

“Money Honey” – Clyde McPhatter & the Drifters

Elvis, Sun Records & Rockablilly• Sam Phillips a white Blues and R&B

producer starts Sun Records in Memphis• Realizes the potential for combining white

and black musical styles (Country and R&B)

• The Legend of Elvis Presley

• Popular regionally (South) , but not nationally

Song: “That’s All Right” – Elvis Presley

Folk Music• Vocal and Guitar Groups draw from songs

of the Thirties and Forties (Woody Guthrie, Leadbelly)

• Simple, catchy melodies. Made for sing alongs. Very popular nationally (Pop Charts)

• Political Activism of the artists results in a backlash during this time

Song: “Goodnight Irene” – The Weavers

Jazz Styles• Reaction to BeBop leads to slower, more harmonic

music• Cool Jazz• R&B influenced Jazz• Jazz is Never Widely Popular Again; African-American

Classical Music

Songs: “Moon Dreams” – Miles Davis

“Walkin’ Shoes” –Chet Baker

“Doodlin” – Horace Silver