Rock ‘n’ Roll is a music genre that sprung up in the United States from the late 1940s to the early 1950s. This type of music evolved from categories like boogie-woogie, jazz, jump blues, gospel, country music, as well as rhythm and blues. Its elements are perhaps most strongly tied to the blues music of the 1920s, but it wasn't until 1954 that it was recognized as a genre in its own right.
The earliest styles of Rock ‘n’ Roll made featured saxophones and pianos as its main instrument. These were replaced (or accompanied) by guitars during the mid-to-late '50s. Beyond its technicalities and style, Rock ‘n’ Roll influenced how the world viewed fashion, lifestyle, attitude, and language. It also brought a sense of unity amongst white and African-American teenagers, a factor that only helped the progress of civil rights.
Elvis Aaron Presley, known to the world simply as Elvis, was a famous American singer and actor. He is considered one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century. People refer to him as “The King of Rock and Roll” or even just “the King.” Despite living most of his life in Memphis, Tennessee, Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi. He started his music career in 1954 under Sun Records. The King's producer, Sam Phillips, wanted to bring the African-American sound to a more mainstream audience.
Before his death, which was allegedly caused by prescription drug abuse, Elvis was one of the most prolific artists of the '50s. His music featured all the sounds that define rock music, and his influence lives on until today, despite his short music career and lifespan. Elvis influenced the way artists create music, and his legacy will forever be felt.
Charles Edward Anderson Berry, known affectionately as Chuck Berry, was an American songwriter and singer considered to be a pioneer of rock ‘n’ roll music. He’s the man behind hits like “Roll Over Beethoven,” “Maybellene,” “Rock and Roll Music,” and “Johnny B. Goode.” These helped develop and refine rhythm and blues into the distinctive sound of rock music today. Berry created music that revolved around showmanship, featuring some epic guitar solos.
Chuck Berry was from an African-American family and was raised in St. Louis, Missouri. As a child, he showed an interest in music and had his first public performance at Sumner High School. The core of Berry's legacy was being a unique artist. His writing, singing, and performance style was unparalleled. No other artists could ever eclipse his original work.
Buddy Holly's music inspired rock 'n' roll legends like the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Elvis Costello, and Eric Clapton amongst others. He was a great example of the circle of life as he was greatly influenced by the legends that came before him. Holly grew up in Lubbock, Texas, and loved listening to country and bluegrass music as a kid. He was a big fan of Hank Snow, which is evident in his music.
Buddy Holly had an untimely death, but despite having a short career, he greatly influenced a lot of famous artists known to be very talented with guitars. His guitar chops, the progressive recording process, and songwriting ability are what made him such an inspiration to contemporary artists.
With his talent and achievements, it's safe to say that Frank is one of the most talented and influential entertainers the industry has ever seen. He was the first international superstar, dubbed the world's first true multimedia artist.
Sinatra was born in Hoboken, New Jersey on December 12, 1915. He was the only child of Martin and Dolly Sinatra, who were both Italian immigrants. Despite having a pampered life growing up, Frank felt lonely as a child.
Johnny Cash is an American singer-songwriter, actor, author, and guitarist described as one of the best-selling music artists of all time. Selling 90 million records worldwide was no easy feat. But it was something expected from an iconic country, rock ‘n’ roll, blues, rockabilly, gospel, and folk musician. His discography is comprised of such genre-spanning masterpieces that it got him inducted into the Country Music, Gospel Music, and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame.
Cash was born in Kingsland, Arkansas on February 26, 1932, to parents Ray Cash and Carrie Cloveree. He was the fourth of seven children, and had a brother named Tommy who also grew up to be a successful country artist. While Johnny Cash could fill stadiums, what made him more famous was the fact that he loved doing prison concerts.
The Song “Don't Be Cruel” might be one of the King’s most successful of all time. Imagine a young Elvis begging for forgiveness in front of you? Men could see themselves as him while women felt as if the handsome singer were serenading them. “Don't Be Cruel” became such a hit that by 2002, it was inducted into The Grammy Hall of Fame. It would go one to become Presley's most profitable song, selling over six million by 1961.
Elvis Presley did a fantastic rendition of another song composed by Otis Blackwell, “All Shook Up.” The song spoke about the butterfly-in-your-stomach-feeling of being in love and shot to No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 by April 13, 1957.
Buddy Holly sure knows how to be sweet and possessive all at the same time, as evidenced by “That'll Be The Day.” All kidding aside, Jerry Allison wrote this song for Holly. It was released in1957, and from that year on, the song gathered an insane amount of success!
When a star like Johnny Cash sings a hopelessly romantic song like “I Walk The Line,” it becomes a hit. In fact, it was his first number one hit on the Billboard charts, selling over two million copies. The song also became the title of a 1970 film which starred Gregory Peck.
“You Send Me” is a feel-good song that speaks about the moment of realizing that you're way past the point of infatuation. The lovey-dovey song was released in 1957 by Keen Records and was produced by Bumps Blackwell. It was Cooke's debut single and became a No.1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard's Rhythm & Blues Records charts. Today, it is revered by experts as one of the 500 most important rock ‘n’ roll recordings made by a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member.