AMERICAN POP MUSIC THE EARLY 50 S

AMERICAN POP MUSIC THE EARLY 50 S

OVERVIEW EARLY 1950 S In general, the 50 s were prosperous times in America Stable economy No active war Emphasis on going to college, getting married, and raising a family Middle class became more wealthy and were now able to go on vacation, buy a car, or a TV

1950 S POP MUSIC What was 1950 s pop music like? Continuation of popular styles of past decades Lyrics - Innocent boy-girl love Non-threatening content Comfortable, pleasant, not overdone

SUBCULTURES BLACK CULTURE Jazz, Gospel, and R&B (Rhythm & Blues) Music Not only were blacks segregated from white society, R&B was segregated from the pop music market Had it s own record companies and consumers Song Example - Roll Em Pete - Big Joe Turner

SUBCULTURES WHITE CULTURE Country and Western (C&W) Poor Southern whites developed hillbilly music. This was somewhat similar to folk music Bluegrass/western swing These country genres weren t preference for more wealthy whites, who preferred pop music Song Example - Johnny Cash Cry Cry Cry

50 S POP MUSIC TIN PAN ALLEY Area of NYC Center of pop music publishing from 1800 s to late 1950 s Professional songwriters

TIN PAN ALLEY MUSICAL CHARACTERISTICS Lyrics - non-offensive. Simple boy-girl romantic love Uncomplicated rhythm in the background Melodies are most important. Often very catchy Slower tempos - fast songs were usually bouncy and light with humorous lyrics Usually professional singers accompanied by full orchestra/small chorus Popular songs would stay on the charts for 16-20 weeks, sometimes longer Song Example - Wanted - Perry Como

RECORDING COMPANIES THE MAJORS Early 1950 s were dominated by Major recording companies RCA Victor, Columbia, Capitol, Mercury, Decca in 1954 42 of the top 50 selling discs were produced by the 5 Majors Majors dominated due to sophisticated distribution systems/ promotions One company came out with a hit song, then others would immediately try and produce a version of that song with their artists Music industry was adult dominated - kids would listen to whatever music their parents listened to Pop music scene was almost exclusively white

C&W STYLE CHARACTERISTICS Melodies and lyrics were important Lyrics - positive and negative love Simpler harmonies than pop Simple rhythm Main singer with vocal trio or quartet Some songs were traditional, but many artists performed their own material Not notated Arrangements were put together in rehearsal Solos stayed close to main melody Vocalist/steel guitar main focus Yodeling in some songs Falsetto was also used.

R&B MUSIC STYLE CHARACTERISTICS Most songs used the 12-Bar Blues Rarely notated More improvisation and freedom than C&W Most songs were originals Content: Love, jobs, hard knocks, general life philosophies Driving rhythm Lyrics more prominent than vocal melody Shouting style singing

CROSSOVERS A crossover is a record or single that originated in one market, but succeeded in another Typically these were R&B songs that ended up on the lower end of the pop charts Questions to consider. AUDIO EXAMPLES: What was the appeal of these songs? Lawdy Miss Clawdy Lloyd Price How did they combine the R&B Earth Angel The Penguins sound with something the mainstream audience may like?

CROSSOVERS LEAD TO COVERS Once songs started to crossover into the pop charts, the Majors started having their own artists do cover versions of the song Majors had more money/publicity > the covers sold better than the originals Sometimes this involved a white artist covering a black artist, but it worked both ways Occasionally both the original and cover version were on the pop charts at the same time AUDIO: Earth Angel The Crew Cuts Ain t That a Shame - Fats Domino Pat Boone

THE EMERGENCE OF YOUTH CULTURE

THE EMERGENCE OF YOUTH CULTURE Teens were no longer content waiting to be included into adult society The teen image and attitude really started to develop in the 50 s They had their own movies, role models, dress code, slang, hairstyles, and music How do you think the sense of youth independence changed the entertainment industry? Rebel Without a Cause James Dean became a Xigurehead of the teen rebellion. There was no specixic target of rebellion. Blackboard Jungle Teenagers strike out at whatever is around: parents, teachers, and other teens.

BILL HALEY AND THE COMETS Musical career spanned three music markets (pop, R & B, C & W) Started as a C & W star, but loved R & B and would often cover R & B songs with appropriate versions when playing gigs. Covered an original R & B hit Rock Around the Clock by Sonny Dae which skyrocketed his fame and became a huge part of the walls between pop, country and r & b breaking down.

QUIZ NEXT CLASS - EARLY 50 S WHAT TO KNOW Name the 5 Majors and know what an indie is Be able to describe some style characteristics of C&W, R&B, and Pop (Tin Pan Alley) Know the demographics of each genre of early 50 s music Be able to discuss the difference in instrumentation between C&W, R&B, and Pop Crossovers/Covers Youth Culture