Rock 'n' Roll

Rock music has always influenced teenagers. Especially in 50’s and 60’s, a lot of notable rock bands came out and teenagers enthused. The Beatles also debut in 1962, and the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Mick Jagger, The Who, they were all popular in 60’s.

In this era, rock music had a big influence especially on teenagers as a massage of the lyrics aroused sympathy from them.

Many remarkable things in history of rock music happened in 60’s.

The Beatles released the album “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” in 1967. It is said that it's quite an experimental album in terms of musical sound, instrumental elements.

There was also a big incident in the late 60’s. Brian Jones died at the age of 27 in 1969, who was the guitarist of The Rolling Stones. It’s kind of an urban legend that many rock stars die at young ages like him, such as Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morrison.

In 70’s, rock music was still growing up with young people.

In the early 80’s, The Rolling Stones came back on a stage after the long break and they are still active.

Also new bands came out such as the Beach Boys, The Queen in the 80's.

Today still many people love rock music and is now listened by from generation to generation, from grandpa to grandson.

Swing/Jazz, Billie Holiday

Swing music has origin in New Orleans and developed with African American artists such as Billie Holiday(1915-1959), Cab Calloway(1907-1994).

Some people say that jazz united the human race. Black music was still under discrimination back in 20’s. It gradually began to be embraced by the public as radio programmes began to play them in the mid 30’s. Young people who were depressed with the world after the war became interested in jazz music and they enjoyed spending time dancing to it.

At first, Jazz was popular in Central America, and finally its popularity grew throughout the U.S..

As I stated above, Billie Holiday is one of the most influential and biggest jazz artists in 20^th century. Though she’s already dead, she’s still big and her life is controversial. She was born in 1915 in Baltimore, the United States and died at the age of 44. She is famous for her hit songs “God Bless the Child”, “Lady Sings The Blues” “Easy Living” and many other songs.

In her short life, she went through many hardships such as racial discrimination, drug addict, and alcohol addict. Despite her devastated life, her voice was like nobody else, it was unique and special enough to keep inspiring people and many artists. Frank Sinatra, Diana Ross, Macy Grey, they are a few examples of artists who stated that they were inspired by her. Also U2 released the song called “Angel of Harlem” in 1987, which was a tribute to Billie.

It is no exaggeration to say that she made a great contribution to betterment of black discrimination.

Etta James

Etta James is an American R&B, soul, jazz singer, and one of the biggest singers of soul music. She’s been active since the late 50’s.

She is famous for her hit songs such as “At Last”, “Tell Mama”.

She was born in 1938 and grew up in Los Angeles and as she was going to church, she started to sing gospel as a member of a choir there.

When she turned 14, she signed a contract with the Modern Records. She has some hit songs during this time such as ‘Wallflower (Dance with me, Henry)’, which reached #1 on the R&B charts.

After six years later in1960, she transferred to Chess Records, where she spent the longest time and released the most successful records in her career.

Her music style has changed though her career. She was promoted as a R&B and doo wop singer in the mid 50’s, but she turned to perform traditional pop songs covering jazz and pop music as she signed a contract with Chess Records.

She’s been successful as a singer from the early days, however she was drug addict as well, therefore she was not active in 80’s. But she still has an impact on today’s music industry. In a movie “Cadillac Records”(2008) , Beyonce played the part of her.  She also won some Grammies, and her name is inscribed in Hollywood’s walk of fame.

This year 2011, she released new album “The Dreamer” and announced her retirement.

She died of leukemia on January 20, 2012 and her funeral was hold in California on January 28.

The Carter Family

The Carter Family is the American folk music group and was active from 1927 to 1944 on Victor label. It is said that they are the first family vocal group. 

They were successful as well known as the songs such as “Wildwood flower”, “I'm Thinking Tonight of My Blue Eyes”.

They had had a big impact on musicians. For example, their technique of guitar was called “Cartar picking” and was dominant for decades.

There is an interesting story about them and Jimmie Rodgers who is called “Father of Country” and was popular as a country singer around this time. When he was doing his first record at Bristol in 1927, it was such a coincidence but they were also recording their first record at the same place.

They once retired but one of the members Sara reformed the group in 1952. However, they ware not as successful  as they were in 40’s.

when I see their family trees, I find it quite interesting because it’s really vast and I can see the Carter family’s history and how their band changed.

In 1956 they disbanded for the second time, but 4 years later, their records were reissued as one of the members Alvin. P. Carter died

They influenced not only other family groups but also rock musicians such as Bob Dylan, Bill Monroe, Kingston Trio and many others and now they’re regarded as the first star of country music.