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Rock n Roll Music
Music Big Band: the history of what created rock n roll -
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Ragtime Blues- New Orleans
New Orleans is still known for musical influences around the world. In the prior to 40s era, new orleans was a centre for ragtime blues with artists like Scott Joplin and Jelly Roll Morton. -
The Blues Highway
In 1926 there was a move of people within the delta region, who taking their music along created distinct Blues sounds which were records for the national music archives. People who most of the time grew up in farms, Most importantly: WC Handy, Robert Johnson and Charley Pattn " Father of the Delta Blues".
The music they created was associated with the area and the Highway crossing the delta region states, and thus hughway 61 was names the blues highway. -
Great Mississippi Flood
The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 in spite of causing chaos to the local communities and empovering people, not to mention the lives lost, functioned as a catalyst towards music, as it made poor workers move from South to North.
Music, was popular among farmers who , often with makeshift instruments, would create their own sounds. Music prior to it certainly was an inspiration and whilst people moved along with the croppers, it adapted to the big city. This lead to the growth of electric blues -
Great Depression
The great depression started in 1929 lasting approx. 10 year had a major effect on culture and the arts in America.
Whilst movies and records faced a demise, radio still seemed to be a popular mean of entertainment, as its reach was significant.
Mnay folklorist would be discovered at the time via field recordings, with story telling songs that would speak to the feelings of people, more notably Leadbelly.
At the same time, swing big bands were becoming popular (see Duke Ellington) -
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The Great Depression
The great depression started in 1929 lasting approx. 10 year had a major effect on culture and the arts in America.
Whilst movies and records faced a demise, radio still seemed to be a popular mean of entertainment, as its reach was significant. -
"Good Rocking Tonight"
Good Rocking Tonight might be considered on the first RnR records made. The records was part of a surge of the Jump Blues in the later 40s era but also showing the mix that was being created between all those different styles of music coming together to make what is now known as RnR.
Notable is also the Big Band Swing popular at the era with artists like Benny Goodman. -
Fats Domino
Fats Domino started releasing tracks in 1949 and was one of the most influential figures in music of the New Orleans.
Also important was his creative partner Dave Bartholomew. -
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CHESS RECORDS/Chicago Sound
Based in Chicago, Chess Records was significant towards spreading and popularising local music expanding the repertoire to Blues
Jazz
Doo-wop
Gospel
Soul
Rock and roll.
Artists signed to this label changed music forever. Most influential are : Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf (and Willie Dixon), John Lee Hooker- also known as the big 3- and Chuck Berry "The Father of RnR". -
1st Rock n Roll Record
Sam Phillips has been said to have made the first RnR record but producing "Rocket 88" by Jackie Brenston and his delta Cats -
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SUN Records
Sun Records was founded by Sam Phillips whose charismatic ear for talent was pivotal to the music we listen to nowadays. He signed several rnr legends, most iconic being Elvis. -
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Elvis AT Sun
Elvis is an iconic figure to music. He was first signed at SUN records and relesead several singles. His major accomplishment was the cross over between races. When SUN let Elvis go it received a large sum of mney which enabled Sam Phillips to work with other artists, also very important to RnR. -
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Sun After Elvis
Sun Starte signing atists of paramount importance to the history of RnR. -
The Million Dollar Quartet
A jam session was recorded that Carl Perkins, Elvis, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis were part of.
All artists were of paramount importance for their work and artistry as All have influenced artists in the following years -
The Day the Music Died
Perhaps one of the most important dates in the history of Rock N Roll, it is the date when upcoming stars Buddy Holly, Richie Vallens and the Big Bopper tragically died in a plane crash whilst on tour.