MUSIC
In the 1950s, the younger generation was introduced to more and more Rock and Roll, throughout their teenage years. Rock and Roll is a combination of rhythm, blues, and country music. It became popular with the white rich kids, during the era of strict segregation. Segregation was overlooked between the blacks and the whites, when the blacks and the whites decided to bring musical styles together. No one knows exactly how Rock and Roll became so famous during the 1950's, but many have their opinion on who was the first artist that held the title of the first rock and roll record.
CHUCK BERRY
In the 1950s, Chuck Berry was known as the one of the first Rock and Roll artists. In 1955, he hit his first single called, "Maybellene", selling over a million copies of his number one hit. Berry played the electric guitar combining the blues and country music. Not only could he rock the electric guitar, Chuck Berry could became famous for his "Duck Walk" dance. The duck walk was him jumping on one leg and moving the other in a back and forth motion when he was playing the guitar. Many fans thought he looked like a duck, so his dance became known as the Duck Walk, where all the teenage kids went crazy for him. Chuck Berry had a bad personal life, before he entered the field of music, spending a couple times in prison. After he was out of prison, Chuck Berry began to write songs that could relate to teenagers across America. He wrote about money, fame, glory, and loneliness. All important aspects that teens could relate to during the time period.
ELVIS PRESLEY
Elvis Presley made in impact in the late 1950s, when he brought his own style of Rock and Roll to the Americans. In 1956, Elvis Presley released three hit singles, "Heartbreak Hotel", "Hound Dog", and "Don't be Cruel". His hits caught the attention of all people, his hits sold over a million copies, at a young age Elvis had made his career. It wasn't just his music that made Elvis such a hit in the 1950s. It was the way he dressed and danced during his performances as well, that had all the young girls screaming for him. He wore pegged pants and had a ducktail haircut with his long sideburns, that created his original look. But even with his creative look, he also had his moves, that drove people wild. Presley would swivel his hips very dramatically through out his performance. His dancing caused quite a stir in the 1950s, more conservative people felt that his dance moves were quite inapporiate, but it still didn't stop Elvis Presley from toning down any of his hip moves. Elvis Presley was known as the King of Rock and Roll during his time, but as time goes on he will always be known as the King.
www.elvis.com
www.elvis.com
