Rock Music's Influence On American Culture

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Rock music is as much of an American invention as the jazz genre was. Rock music is a popular music styled drawing its roots heavily from American jazz music, rhythm and blues, and the traditional genres of folk, country, and gospel. Rock music typically relies on guitar-powered songs commonly paired with drums, bass, and perhaps accompanying additional guitars or piano. Although the genre of rock music has become so broad and varied that this “formal” grouping is not as commonplace. Rock music reached its peak in America or “golden age” in the 1950’s and from there spread to countries all around the world. The United Kingdom and America played key roles in the development of the many sub-cultures of rock some of which have spread to include …show more content…

It wasn’t necessarily Elvis’ music that set him apart but his image as America’s bad boy that created such a unique frenzy for him. His image was the embodiment of the 50’s and of the rockabilly culture. Many older people found rock music to be a vulgar genre because of its often sexually explicit (for the time) lyrics, but teenagers and young adults of America embraced the music as liberating and fun. Elvis’ stage persona embodied all of this. His flashy costumes, famously shaped pompadour, and suggestive hip gyrations helped create the rockabilly craze of the 50’s and 60’s. Statistically, Elvis is considered the best-selling solo artist in the entire history of music with an estimated 600 million records sold worldwide and also won the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at only 36 years old. Elvis Presley also acted and his charisma and humor captured onscreen only intensified the world’s love for him. Whether it be considering Elvis’ extensive musical record, controversial but beloved image, or his millions of devoted fans, his title as the “King of Rock and Roll” is clearly well

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