Twenties's Influence On American Culture

424 Words1 Page

Referring to the sixties, Pete Townshend said, “By and large, the past two generations have made such a colossal mess of the world that they have to step down and let us take over”. Political issues of the sixties included topics such as, racism, sexism, and many more, resulting in violent raids and protests. This era strived to rid our society of these issues and was even looked at as the “golden age”. During this time, social barriers were broken down, and people were offered a chance to peacefully stand up for what they believed in, these were some of the great qualities of this era. The sixties were the most significant era with regards to American culture because of it’s important influence of psychedelic music, edgy fashion, and peaceful …show more content…

Most hit records of the 60s were produced by artists who found their fame in the 50s, such as Elvis Presley,Celine Dion, Ray Charles, and The Everly Brothers. Up until about 1963, the music of the 60s still heavily reflected the sound, style and beliefs of the previous decade.
“Surf rock began in southern California as a type of dance music that was mostly instrumental and it became quite popular in the early to mid-60s, until the British Invasion took over the music scene. The subject matter for surf rock was quite literally surfing, however, that expanded as the genre grew in popularity to songs about girls, cars and general teenage antics. The most influential popular group to come out of the genre were the Beach Boys.”(Music Played in the 1960's Popular Music From the 60s. (n.d.)).
The British Invasion occurred in the mid-1960s when rock and pop music acts from the United Kingdom, as well as other aspects of British culture, became popular in the United States. About one week after the Beatles entered the Hot 100 for the first time, Dusty Springfields became the next British act to reach the Hot 100, and after that the ball kept rolling, bringing with it the Rolling Stones, The Who, Led Zepplin, and Pink

Show More
Related

  • Changes in American Society 1920's

    1227 Words  | 3 Pages

    Republicans dominated the 1920's political scene. During this time period, many changes occurred in the United States. Both culturally and economically. This period is known as the roaring twenties.

    Read More

  • 1968: A Year Of American Transformation

    1636 Words  | 4 Pages

    In the duration of one year, 1968, the American national mood shifted from general confidence and optimism to chaotic confusion. Certainly the most turbulent twelve months of the post-WWII period and arguably one of the most disturbing episodes the country has endured since the Civil War, 1968 offers the world a glimpse into the tumultuous workings of a revolution. Although the entire epoch of the 1960's remains significant in US history, 1968 stands alone as the pivotal year of the decade; it was the moment when all of the nation's urges toward violence, sublimity, diversity, and disorder peaked to produce a transformation great enough to blanket an entire society. While some may superficially disagree, the evidence found in the Tet Offensive, race relations, and the counterculture's music of the period undeniably affirm 1968 as a turning point in American history.

    Read More

  • Rock n Roll & 20th Century Culture

    1464 Words  | 3 Pages

    Rock ‘n’ roll and 20th Century Culture According to Philip Ennis, rock ‘n’ roll emerged from the convergence of social transformations which resulted from World War II (Ryan 927). Despite its pop culture origins, rock music is arguably one of the strongest cultural factors to develop in this century. Artists such as Lennon, McCartney and Dylan defined the emotions of a generation and, in the last decade, it as even been acknowledged by members of the establishment which it hoped to change as a major influence in the country. In order to understand how rock went from a sign of rebellion to a cultural icon, it is necessary to understand where it came from.

    Read More

  • The Impact of Rock 'n' Roll on the Civil Rights Movement

    1581 Words  | 4 Pages

    Rock 'n' roll came from a type of music called rhythm and blues (R&B), which consisted of doo-wop and gospel music. It was popular mostly in the south during the 40’s but it soon grew to urban cities. It was Les Paul’s invention of the electric guitar in 1952 that added a new sound and made rhythm and blues into the rock 'n' roll we all know and love today. Most of the artists from R&B were African American, and in their song they would reference sexual matters. So together it gave a bad connotation towards the music and their race, therefore both were never fully accepted in the north. The term “rock” was slang mostly used by African Americans meaning a form of music that was easily danced to. Meanwhile “roll” was usually a euphemism for sex, such as “a roll in the hay”. It was Alan Freed who first popularized the term “rock and roll” for this gen...

    Read More

  • The ‘60s: Culture and Music

    1486 Words  | 3 Pages

    The ‘60s were the age of youth, as millions of children’s from post World War II became teenagers and rebelled against the conservative fifties. Denying civil rights to African-Americans and liberation to teenagers in previous decades and Vietnam War, created a vortexes which lead to massive rebellion against the status qua. Music of the 1960s was characteristic of the revolution that was going on during the decade. It was a time of rebellion and counter-culture in which the teenagers and college students were critical of government, business, religious institution and other various aspects of life. Era marked by civil rights movement, Vietnam War, environment of drug abuse and sexual freedom formed new music like: folk rock, soul and psychedelic rock. These genres starkly contrast the teen idol music of ‘50s pop mainstream. Writes John Covach; “World was exploding, and rock musicians were listening more closely than ever.”(Covach, 152) Such stark contrast in pop music directly relay to changing social culture in America, which further echo’s the relationship between music and culture.

    Read More

  • The Influence Of African-American Rock N Roll

    1376 Words  | 3 Pages

    Rock ‘n’ Roll Rock ‘n’ roll was a controversial yet fashionable genre of popular music that emerged in the early 1950s (America in the World, 1776 to the Present : A Supplement to the Dictionary of American History: Mâ€'Z, Index. 2016, p896-899.). Its origin is also started from the revolution of bourgeois. The younger generation had gone through the Second World War, though, the older generation had treated kids. Two generations that had each world war had divided. A lot of the pain and anger felt by the younger generation made them to resist against the social establishment. As a result, the war had created a gulf between generations but further reduced the gap between blacks and whites. The youth of the 1950s felt unconnected to their society and began looking at the world more globally, and also began looking for new role models who reflected their ideas and beliefs. They knew that ideas of old generation would no longer work in a modern society. Thus several young leaders stood out and took center stage that setting the pace for the direction of society and its music form that point on. At this time, technical innovations had emerged such as electric guitar and electric bass. This is the impetus of creation of music including rock ‘n’

    Read More

  • History of Rock and Roll

    1146 Words  | 3 Pages

    The British Invasion of 1964 brought America's music - reinvented and revitalized - home, a new generation of rock fans was born. Rock now entered what is now known as its Classic Era.

    Read More

  • Rock And Roll Impact On Culture

    956 Words  | 2 Pages

    Although considered the day Rock ‘n’ Roll was born, many other events in American history have given foundation to this much loved idea. Rock ‘n’ Roll is much more than just music, rather it is the movement which underlines cultural imperialism. Rock had been promoting a culture of comfort and freedom from social constraints as well. Although the style of ‘Rock music’ is easily adaptable into many different sounds, it is still thoroughly identified by its definingly amplified rhythm. The sudden worldwide popularity of rock and roll resulted in an unparalleled social impact. Rock ‘n’ Roll influenced lifestyles, fashion, attitudes, and language in a way few other social developments have equaled. The social impact is so large that rock stars are worshipped worldwide. In its early years, many adults condemned the style of music, placing a stigma on its name, and forbid their children from listening and following its ways. Many considered Rock ‘n’ Roll culture as a bad influence to all people, but as the genre aged and the now not-so-young crowds had matured, Rock was respected and

    Read More

  • Culture in the 1960’s Music

    616 Words  | 2 Pages

    "Music Played in the 1960's Popular Music From the 60s." 1960's Music Played in the 60's Bands Groups Singers Memories from The People History Site. Ed. TPH. The People History, 26 Aug. 2006

    Read More

  • Analysis of the Song Strangers in the Night

    574 Words  | 2 Pages

    and 1960s. The characteristics in the big band genre that tie in with traditional pop are unique in

    Read More

  • Revolution of music in the 1960s

    1658 Words  | 4 Pages

    Music has continued to change throughout each decade, but the 1960s was the most influential decade in the history of music. Starting in the early 1950s, rock music was first introduced. Major record labels were releasing new “cover songs” which were originally made by black artist, but now by white artist (Rock and Roll). These cover songs changed a few lyrics from the original songs to avoid copyright issues and to also make the song more appropriate for the white listeners. The biggest star of the 1950s was Elvis Presley, who was known as the “King of rock n’ roll”.

    Read More

  • Fashion in the 1960's and 1970' s

    1002 Words  | 3 Pages

    Pop music began to take on a serious art form. Rock stars influenced fashion in a way like never before. The Beatles began the British invasion with pop culture. They were fashion icons and many copied their long hair. Others copied the rebellious look of Bob Dylan and Mick Jagger (Rolling Stones). Rock stars began speaking on behalf of the younger generation and the media was all over them. By the end of the sixties, pop music was the main force in fashion. In Europe and America, "underground" music played a big part, with underground magazines, festivals, and groups during 1966-67. Drugs such as marijuana and hallucinogens like LSD were more widely used outside of a small circle of musicians and artists. Sounds of blues, jazz, rock, electronic, Indian, and classical had inspiration in psychedelic music. Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix were leaders of this long hair, drugs, and music scene. Other music such as be-bop jazz with the beatniks, the sounds of soul that flowed from the record company Motown, and folk for hippies also inspired the way of fashion.

    Read More

  • The Beatles And The British Invasion Essay

    1869 Words  | 4 Pages

    The Beatles were the leaders of a musical trend called The British Invasion. The British Invasion was a time period in the 1960’s when British rockers came to America to further their commercial success. There were two separate waves of the British invasion. The first wave began in 1963 and ended in 1967. The second wave was from 1967-1970. During both waves of the British Invasion, there were many bands that came to America. In the first wave, the most popular bands at the time were the Beatles, the Kinks, the Rolling Stones, and the Animals. The later wave included Led Zeppelin, Cream, the Who, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath and Pink Floyd. In the end, there were over 60 bands from Great Britain that came to America...

    Read More

  • Rock & Roll: The Evolution Of Rock And Roll

    755 Words  | 2 Pages

    In 1955, Chuck Berry – a pioneer of Rock and Roll – came about. He was known for his guitar riffs, energetic performances, blend of R&B and Country, as well as showmanship. This was the beginning of Rock and Roll rising as a genre. Not only did Chuck Berry help influence Rock and Roll, so did artists, such as: Little Richard and Jimmie Rodgers. In addition to the artists mentioned, Rock and Roll could not have come about at a better time, a time of

    Read More

  • The Hippie Subculture

    1428 Words  | 3 Pages

    The sixties was a decade of liberation and revolution, a time of great change and exciting exploration for the generations to come. It was a time of anti-war protests, free love, sit-ins, naked hippie chicks and mind-altering drugs. In big cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York and Paris, there was a passionate exchange of ideas, fiery protests against the Vietnam War, and a time for love, peace and equality. The coming together of like-minded people from around the world was spontaneous and unstoppable. This group of people, which included writers, musicians, thinkers and tokers, came to be known as the popular counterculture, better known as hippies. The dawning of the Age of Aquarius in the late sixties was more than just a musical orgy. It was a time of spiritual missions to fight for change and everything they believed in. Freedom, love, justice, equality and peace were at the very forefront of this movement (West, 2008). Some wore beads. Some had long hair. Some wore tie-dye and others wore turtle-neck sweaters. The Hippie generation was a wild bunch, to say the least, that opened the cookie jar of possibilities politically, sexually, spiritually and socially to forever be known as one of the most memorable social movements of all time (Hippie Generation, 2003).

    Read More

More about Twenties's Influence On American Culture

Open Document