1 Roots of RockTo what degree did early rock music depend on

1 Roots of RockTo what degree did early rock music depend on sociological changes as distinctfrom technological developments? What were some of those sociological changesand how did they help create and popularize rock music? How might the blues bedifferent if slavery had never existed and African Americans had been welcomedimmigrants in the United States?Remember that the idea behind the discussion boards in this class is aconversation that features your perspectives and ideas. The goal is not to simplyanswer the questions, it is to express your informed opinions. Treat it similar toFacebook, but no flaming or trolling.2 Urban Blues and R&BThis one can be tough. Listen to Three O’Clock Blues by BB King and then to BoDiddley by Bo Diddley. Compare the tempos, the feel of the rhythms, and the lyricsof the two. What are the differences between the Blues and R&B? Why do thinkthe term ‘rhythm is there in ‘Rhythm and Blues’?3 Gospel & Country Roots of Rock dbBoth Blues and Country lyrics can express down-heartedness. What are somedifferences in the kinds of expression between the two styles, and what are somereasons for the differences? Can you name some similarities?4 Early Rock and RollIn what ways were the music and images of early Rock & Roll performers rebelliousfor their time? What would the same performers have to do maintain theirrebellious reputations today? How did race affect popularity or did race matter tomost fans?5 Teen Styled RockIn the early Sixties, Rock seems to move from a Blues and Country basedenergetic sound to a gentler, pop-oriented style called Teen Idol Pop. What do youthink were some of the reasons for this shift? Compare some of those reasons tomusic you are familiar with. Can you think of some other times in history whenpopular music shifted from one style to another. Why did the music change?6 Soul and MotownSoul music and its performers affected the Civil Rights Movement. Describe someexamples. Why is this important? Did the Civil Rights Movement in turn affect Soulmusic and Rock & Roll? In reading the chapter and listening to some of the musiclinks in the Power Point, is there a particular Soul artist that impresses you?7 The British Invasion dbWhat was it about the American social, political, and musical situations in the earlysixties that made the country so ready for invasion by the British bands? Were theBeatles and the Rolling Stones so great that they could have taken over the UScharts at any time, or was it mostly a case of good timing?8 The British Invasion continues and America reactsDuring the sixties, some people said that the British saved Rock & Roll. If true,what did they save it from? Would the post invasion US styles of garage bands andthe blues revival bands have become popular without the popularity of the Britishbands?9 Folk, Folk-Rock, and Singer-Songwriters dbWhy do you think young adults were listening to Bob Dylan in the early sixtiesinstead of Teen Idol or Soul music? Why were traditional Folk musicians offendedwhen Dylan began to use electricified instruments? Frank Zappa said that singer/songwriters were too personal and too quick to dump their problems and feelingson listeners. Do you agree with Frank or not?10 Psychedelic Rock dbPsychedelic drugs were used by some young people in the sixties to ‘drop out’ ofsociety because they disapproved of how things were being done. In my regularclass I constantly hear that students have no intention of voting because it wouldmake no difference. Do you agree? Society can seem chaotic and personalcircumstances uncontrollable. What do some young people do today to ‘drop out’of society in general? Does or can music be used to express disapproval of today’ssociety?11 Country and Jazz RockMany southern bands proudly identified with cultural aspects of the formerconfederate states of the southern United States. Are there other regions in theUnited States that have music that similarly represents the region? Is the southernidentity residue from the Civil War or are there other reasons for it? How do youfeel about the confederate flag? Does it imply a sense of racial injustice or is itsimply a symbol of rebellion?