Rock N Roll

Rock and roll keeps defining eras throughout history. Not only has it been associated with hatred, protests and drugs; it is also strongly associated with peace, love and happiness.

Love and peace took a prominent place on the stage during the 60’ and the 70’s. Social issues and problems were often addressed using music and this made it possible to convey messages of peace and love all over the world.

Folk artists such as Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie made a huge impact on the social messages that the music conveyed. Other artists such as John Lennon, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young’s also made songs that held strong, social and personal messages.

Spiritual messages have also featured heavily in rock and roll music. Many artists have explored many areas of spirituality in their work, artists such as Pete Townsend and the Beatles to name but a few.

Many bands and artists have used God and religion as a foundation for their music and many are very religious. Some artists have even become born again Christians after overcoming drug and sex addictions due to their fame and money.

Rock and roll music has changed the world that we live in forever. It can be accredited with spreading and promoting the message of love and peace, but many still believe that it is nothing short of evil. While everyone is entitled to their opinion on all forms of music and the message they convey to the masses, most would agree that rock and roll has given the world something that many could not – soul.

There are many contributing factors to the changes that rock and roll went through in the 50’s and the 60’s. Here are just a few of the major impacts on rock and roll.

The Beatles – The Beatles came from Liverpool in the UK and changed the face and the sound of rock and roll for a whole generation. The Beatles came into America and made the states go wild! They stayed as a group for ten years creating hit after hit.

Motown – Motown made a huge impact on rock and roll, giving it a different edge and opening the doors for many great artists to shine. The sound of Motown made it big in the 60’s and still presides in music today.

Surfers – The surfer sound in rock and roll came mainly from The Beach Boys in the 60’s. They made beaches, beautiful girls, fast cars and surfing extremely popular!

Protests – Rock and roll became an outlet for many to be able to freely express their views. Artists started creating songs that had special meaning and targeting one group or another. Social protest became largely popular in the 60’s and the music of this time reflects the feelings of the times. Folk music was integrated into the rock and roll creating mellow and soft tones for the protest songs that included singing of peace and love.

There are many things that have influenced the sound and the feel of rock and roll in our past, present and in the future.

Many people believe that Elvis is still alive. This may not necessarily mean alive and walking around, but alive in their hearts, on their stereos and in their minds. Known as the king of rock and roll, Elvis is still firmly in the heart of everything rock and roll.

Born in 1935 into humble beginnings, Elvis and his family had no idea how he would change the world and the music that was in it. He began his singing career in 1954 and went on to change the face and the sound of music forever. People loved him, people still love him and many want to be able to emulate just a little bit of his worldwide success.

A mix between gospel, country and pop, Elvis created some of the most memorable songs ever. Elvis was also a movie star, putting his name in every household in the world. He has sold more records than any other artist, alive or dead, and still continues to dominate the selling charts. He made history in so many areas, such as selling records, combining songs and movies, sell out performances and creating hysteria in women and men all over the world.

Millions of people flock to Graceland to see where he lived, breathed and created many famous songs that still ring out over the airwaves today. His death in 1977 was considered untimely and devastated a world as the king lost his life to heart failure. Many people still consider his death to be a conspiracy of some sort.

Elvis was and still is very much a legend.