The History of Rock: Lecture #1 The Roots of Rock ‘n’ Roll The Rural Ring Shout •Alan Lomax (musicologist) and son John. john_lomax alan_lomax singing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghOECZiycEk In 1934, Alan Lomax (musicologist) travels the Mississippi Delta with son John and discovers Black farmers engaged in ‘rural ring shout.’ Had their roots in Negro Spirituals/Gospel Music. Nature and structure of ring shout; sometimes followed harvest much like dionysian festivals – excellent example in the film ‘Glory.’ Improvised verses sung by individual with standard recurring refrain sung by the group. Invariably based in agrarian cultures. (XXX) HOE EMMA HOE (Field Hollers) EXAMPLE: RING SHOUT ROLL, JORDAN, ROLL (12 Years a Slave) Call and Response LORD, LORD, LORD, LORD (“Glory”) Robert Johnson robjonb2 “King of the Delta Blues” Inspiration for virtually all bluesmen who followed, especially Eric Clapton who recorded an entire album of Johnson’s work, late in his career. (XXX) Popular Modern Covers ROBERT%20JOHNSON01 Eric_Clapton Image:Creamwheelsoffire.jpeg “Crossroad Blues” covered by Cream as “Crossroads” Clapton’s greatest homage to Johnson was in Cream’s cover version of “Crossroads,” which first appeared on their Wheels of Fire album. The Rolling Stones also included his “Love in Vain,” on their album Beggars’ Banquet. (XXX) “Love in Vain” by Robert Johnson covered by The Rolling Stones on “Beggars’ Banquet” Beggars Banquet cover robert-johnson-book The Rolling Stones Lyrics Compare 1 Compare 1A ROBERT JOHNSON – “Crossroad Blues” CREAM – “Crossroads” Older CREAM – “Crossroads” … and consequently there aren’t many pictures of him! Robert%20Johnson%20-%20published%20in%201990 Died very young in a mysterious romantic vendetta … Rock’s Earliest Example that the Good Die Young. Poisoned in a quarrel over a woman; died young after only one real recording session. So his complete canon is easily obtained. (XXX) “LOVE IN VAIN” ROBERT JOHNSON “LOVE IN VAIN” THE ROLLING STONES – after Robert Johnson 1-4 Chord Structure •Allowed musicians without formal training to master a style •Simplicity of structure lent itself to improvisation •Common to several of the influenced forms •Basic to a vast catalogue of music even today Examples for Review F D# G C piano_keyboard C F G D# Blues Chord Progression I want to call your attention to the chord structure of this song. Let’s take a look at it along with the lyrics. It’s known as a 1-4 chord progression. We can see why in how it corresponds to a standard piano keyboard. (XXX). I want any music major who can help us here to jump in; and I don’t pretend that this is the exact key the song is being sung in – I’m just trying to illustrate something about this point about what is a very standard chord structure, pervasive throughout rock and roll. Example for Review “Good Lovin’” by Alan Resnick as performed by The Rascals CFGF CFGF C F G I was feelin’ sort of bad and I asked my family doctor ‘bout F C FGF C FG F C FG F What I had I said“Doctor (Doctor!) Mister MD; (Dr) Can you C FGF C FGF C F C F C Tell me what’s ailin’ me?” He said, “Yea yea yea yea yea.” C F C F C D G (Yea, yea, yea, yea, yea). Could be, all I really need’s C FGF C FGF C FGF CFCFC Good Lovin’ Good Lovin’ Good Lovin’ Young-Rascals-(Good) THE RASCALS – “Good Lovin’” piano_keyboard C D# F Alternate Blues Chord Progression See/Hear next slide – “I Wanna Testify” Parliament-Funkadelic – “I Just Wanna Testify” Example for Review “I’M MAD AGAIN” by John Lee Hooker (as covered by The Animals) “Well I had a friend one time” (C/F/D#/C) “At least I thought he was my friend” (C/F/D#/C), etc. Illustration (rhythm & blues) “Boom Boom” by John Lee Hooker (as covered by The Animals) “Boom-boom, boom-boom” (C/F/D#/C) “Gonna shoot ya right down” (C/F/D#/C) “Take you in my arms” (F/A#/G#/F) “I’m in love with you” (C/F/D#/C) Love that is true (G/C/A#/G) Boom boom, boom boom. (C/F/D#/C) a18031a Compare 2 Compare 2A Let’s listen to parts of a few examples of how the work of these blues masters influenced and was updated by artists who came after them. Try to hear what the most distinctive differences are – at least to your ear. First, we have Robert Johnson’s “Love in Vain.” Then we’ll listen to The Rolling Stones’ version on their “Beggar’s banquet” album. (CCC) THE ANIMALS (Hooker “I’m Mad Again”) JOHN LEE HOOKER – “Boom Boom” THE ANIMALS – “Boom Boom” Illustration (rockabilly) GP_Carl_Perkins “Act Naturally” by Carl Perkins C F They’re gonna put me in the movies. C F G They’re gonna make a big star out of me. C F The biggest fool to ever hit the big time. G F C And all I gotta do is act naturally. Compare 3 Now, I mentioned before how the traditional blues form influenced not just rock and roll and rhythm and blues, but also a form called rockabilly – a blend of rock and roll form with a distinct country/western flavor. (XXX) It was largely a sound that developed in the more rural areas of the country, primarily the south. Artists such as Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis, the Everly Brothers, Carl Perkins – even Elvis-- influenced The Beatles, the Stones, Creedence Clearwater Revival and the Allman Brothers. Let’s see how the 1-4 might play out in a Rockabilly song. This is “Act Naturally” by Carl Perkins. And here’s a little bit of The Beatles version. (CCC) BEATLES after CARL PERKINS “Act Naturally” Evolving Forms/Country & Folk •Rockabilly • •Country Western •Tex-Mex • •Elvis Presley/Jerry Lee Lewis •Everly Brothers •Carl Perkins • • The Blues •* DELTA/RURAL BLUES • • •NEW ORLEANS BLUES •CHICAGO •MEMPHIS • • • • * URBAN BLUES • * RHYTHM & BLUES DELTA/RURAL BLUES: Mississippi/Alabama; URBAN BLUES: Memphis (led country trends)/Chicago; NEW ORLEANS BLUES: **Urban form that features Delta influences; RHYTHM & BLUES: *aka “Race Music” (XXX) jlhooker “Boom Boom” by John Lee Hooker 949 Let’s take a closer look at some of’ the original bluesmen who laid the foundations of rock and roll. (XXX) John Lee Hooker (1948) – Born in Mississippi and raised in Detroit, September 16th, 1920; Signature Albums: Folk Blues (1959), Burnin’ (1962), Hooker ‘ Heat (1971), The Healer (1989). Both the urban and delta blues sounds can be heard in his work, with a dash of gospel soul; sometimes on separate songs, sometimes in a combined form. He was able to fuse a delta sensibility with an urban blues feel; used distinctively shifting rhythms. Sometimes these were an outgrowth of the flexibility he had as a solo performer – he didn’t have to work slavishly to a beat that was being laid down by a drummer, but rather established the ebb and flow of a song’s rhythm entirely on his own. Often recorded with bottlecaps on his soles, for accompanying rhythm; Earliest and longest-lived of all the great bluesmen. A major influence on The Animals, who were the greatest of the British blues bands. Other collaborators included Bonnie Raitt, Van Morrison and Carlos Santana. (XXX) John Lee Hooker - 1948 JohnLeeHooker (1917-2001) Signature songs: “I’m Mad Again,” “Bang, Bang,” “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer.” Quote: “I’m a man, I love women, but I don’t put nothin’ ahead of my music. That’s my life. I AM THE BLUES. I’ll never get out of them alive.” Let’s take a closer look at some of’ the original bluesmen who laid the foundations of rock and roll. (XXX) John Lee Hooker (1948) – Born in Mississippi and raised in Detroit, September 16th, 1920; Signature Albums: Folk Blues (1959), Burnin’ (1962), Hooker ‘ Heat (1971), The Healer (1989). Both the urban and delta blues sounds can be heard in his work, with a dash of gospel soul; sometimes on separate songs, sometimes in a combined form. He was able to fuse a delta sensibility with an urban blues feel; used distinctively shifting rhythms. Sometimes these were an outgrowth of the flexibility he had as a solo performer – he didn’t have to work slavishly to a beat that was being laid down by a drummer, but rather established the ebb and flow of a song’s rhythm entirely on his own. Often recorded with bottlecaps on his soles, for accompanying rhythm; Earliest and longest-lived of all the great bluesmen. A major influence on The Animals, who were the greatest of the British blues bands. Other collaborators included Bonnie Raitt, Van Morrison and Carlos Santana. (XXX) Muddy Waters - 1949 blues-muddy (born McKinley Morganfield, 1915-83) Signature songs: “I’m a Man,” “Hoochie Coochie Man,” “I Just Wanna Make Love to You.” Compare 4A Compare 4 Compare 4B Muddy Waters – Born in Chicago, he was a major proponent of the urban blues sound. He was also a major influence on The Yardbirds, The Allman Brothers Band and The Rolling Stones. (who took their name from one of his classic songs – “Rolling Stone Blues.”). He was the first major bluesman to tour UK. Gave impetus to the shift from skiffle to R&B. (EXPLAIN SKIFFLE.). He was one of an incredible roster of blues artists who recorded on the Chess Record label in the 1950s, on which that company built its reputation. He went commercial for a while in mid-career. This wasn’t unusual for older black artists who were seeing young white kids getting rich on their music. But he returned to his blues roots in later years with his “Hard Again” album. (XXX) MUDDY WATERS – “I’m a Man” THE YARDBIRDS – “I’m a Man” MUDDY WATERS & STONES – “Hoochie Coochie Man” ALLMAN BROTHERS – “Hoochie Coochie Man” Ray Charles (1949) Ray%20Charles (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) Born Ray Charles Robinson Quote: I always tell the record companies: ‘Let me do the music and you do the marketing.” Ray Charles: Born in Georgia, raised in Florida. Early on, he dropped his last name, in deference to the boxing great, Sugar Ray Robinson. At first he emulated Nat King Cole – a smoother, jazzier, pop sound—but in the mid-1950s, an eye-opening encounter with Guitar Slim changed his whole approach. The ‘new’ Ray Charles fused gospel and blues with a pounding piano, backed by horns. The father of soul brought the passion of church to everything he did. Smiling, laughing and liberated, his whole body was in motion. Stole the show on ‘We Are the World.’ A talented songwriter, he experimented with jazz and country, as well. His work is always sophisticated while conveying the sense of a man who’s ‘been there.’ Makes every list of top twenty artists in the field and usually ranks even higher as a vocalist. Blind from the age of seven, he remained a true visionary. ray-charles-2-copy Signature Songs: •What’d I Say •Georgia on My Mind •You Don’t Know Me •Cryin’ Time •Unchain My Heart •Let’s Go Get Stoned •I Got a Woman “Georgia on My Mind” SPENCER DAVIS GROUP (Steve Winwood) – “Georgia” B B King T054625A (b. Riley King 1925-2015; nickname “BB,” derived from “Blues Boy.”) bb_king2 (1949) Quote: “I won’t retire until the people retire me.” BB King (XXX)– Combines all blues styles. Although possessed of a Delta background, leaned heavily on a Chicago, urban-based style. bbking_lucille_large B-B-King---Lucille-%5BFront%5D-%5Bwww BB_Lucille … and this, of course, Is ‘Lucille!’ Famously named his guitar (a Gibson 335) “Lucille.” She is introduced with the band at every performance. Cousin of Bukka White and imitated White’s slide guitar style adding an expressive vibrato. Less earthy than Wolf, Hooker or Waters. A more sophisticated, electric jazz style. At height of his career played 300 gigs a year. Like the other early bluesmen, he found a new audience through the white artists he influenced. Opened for The Rolling Stones, in one concert tour, worked with The Eagles and played with U2 on “Rattle and Hum.” Achieved two #1 R&B records with “3 O’Clock Blues” in the early 1950s and “The Thrill is Gone,” in the early 1970s. image?id=1915 The Thrill is Gone by B B King 10-BB-King's-Blues-Club---B BB’s place in Memphis. Signature Albums: “Live at the Regal” “Deuces Wild” “Completely Well” “The Electric B.B. King” Maintains he can’t play rhythm guitar nor sing, while playing lead. WHAT IS RHYTHM GUITAR? Here’s his most popular song, “The Thrill is Gone.” (CCC) (XXX) (XXX) BB KING – “The Thrill is Gone” Howlin’ Wolf - (born Chester Burnett 1910-76) wolf Quote: “When I met Wolf I was afraid of him, just like you would be of some kind of beast. It wasn’t his size, it was the sound he was giving off.” - Jimmy Shines Blues musician 1951 Howlin’ Wolf (born Chester Burnett in Mississippi). He developed a classic blend of Delta and Memphis blues styles. He also recorded for Chess Records, as well as the Sun label, which was Elvis Presley’s first label. His.signature work includes: “Little Red Rooster” and “Smokestack Lightning,” His “London Sessions” album was recorded with several members of the The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood. He had a broad influence on blues bands from both sides of the Atlantic during the 1960s and beyond, including The Stones, The Yardbirds, The Animals, The Blues Project, The Kinks -- among many others. Smokin_wolf kinks_k0169021a The Kinks gave the Wolf’s “Smokestack Lightning” special treatment in their “The Last of the Steam-Powered Trains” from their Village Green Preservation Society lp. Signature Albums: “Moaning in the Midnight” “Back Door Wolf” “The London Sessions” Howlin’ Wolf (born Chester Burnett in Mississippi). He developed a classic blend of Delta and Memphis blues styles. He also recorded for Chess Records, as well as the Sun label, which was Elvis Presley’s first label. His.signature work includes: “Little Red Rooster” and “Smokestack Lightning,” His “London Sessions” album was recorded with several members of the The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood. He had a broad influence on blues bands from both sides of the Atlantic during the 1960s and beyond, including The Stones, The Yardbirds, The Animals, The Blues Project, The Kinks -- among many others. Howlin%20Wolf%201971 Howlin’ Wolf’s London Sessions album … …check out the Guest Artists! Proof of his influence came at the Monterey Pop Festival (1967) when Hendrix, about to deconstruct his guitar (and the stage) ripped into Wolf’s ‘Killin’ Floor.’ HOWLIN’ WOLF – “Smokestack Lightning THE KINKS– “Last of the Good Old-Fashioned Steam-Powered Trains” T-Bone Walker (b. 1911- d.1975) tbone_walker_splits In terms of having an influence on playing styles –as opposed to contributing a large catalogue of songs that were covered – (XXX) there’s T-Bone Walker, he was really the inventor of the modern blues guitar style. He influenced BB King, Eric Clapton and, through them, countless others. Used his volume control to sustain pitch; used amplification on note bending and vibrato techniques practiced by trad bluesmen. Reproduced a linear urgency previously captured by jazz sax players and blues vocalists. He also developed a pumping chordal style on faster numbers that we associate with guitarists such as Bo Diddley and Chuck Berry. “Bo Diddley” (1955) (1928-2008, born Elias Otha Bates/ aka Elias McDaniel Diddley) (… great cameo in Ayckroyd/Murphy movie ‘Trading Places’) “Mona” “Bo Diddley” “Who Do You Love” Rolling Stones The Animals George Thorogood 200808_bodiddley_1 Let’s take a look at Bo Diddley (XXX) for a moment and listen to a little of his song “Who Do You Love?” that was covered by George Thorogood (CCC). BoDiddleyPhotorazzi Quote: “ I opened the door for a lot of people, and they just ran through and left me holding the doorknob.” Signature Albums: “In the Spotlight” “Beach Party” “Bo Diddley is a Cowboy” BO DIDDLEY – “Who Do You Love” “MONA” - TOM PETTY & BO DIDDLEY GEORGE THOROGOOD – “Who Do You Love” “TRADING PLACES” - 1983 “THE BALLAD OF BO DIDDLEY” – The Animals “Smokestack Lightning” by Chester Burnett aka Howlin’ Wolf as covered by The Yardbirds Wolf daze_yardbirds A really interesting demonstration, not only of the influence these artists had on the young generation of guitarists and rockers that followed them is evident in Howlin’ Wolf’s classic “Smokestack Lighting.” (XXX) It inspired no fewer than three completely different mutations by three of England’s greatest bands. The Yardbirds, with Eric Clapton on lead guitar, took the song and performed it in a considerably up tempo style. They also cranked it up several decibels in a highly kinetic performance. The Animals slowed the song down substantially, doing it as only a slightly electrified version of a down and dirty blues number. The Kinks softened the overall feeling of the song, used its locomotive theme and its basic lead guitar riff in fashioning a song about an old, train engine, whose days of service are over and who, given a personality by Kinks songwriter extraordinare, Ray Davies, is trying to come to terms with now being on permanent display in a museum. Such covers are typical of how classic blues riffs become standard usage. It’s time for us to take a break, but I’m going to play each of these versions during the break and I encourage you to listen to as much of them as you can. (CCC) YES – “Owner of a Lonely Heart” Standard Rock Band Set-Up • •Lead Vocalist •Lead Instrumentalist •Drummer •Bassist •Rhythm Guitarist* *maintains chord structure of song as an accompaniment to vocals and soloists; this is also accomplished through the sustaining sound of electronic organ as well as other means. Rhythm Section Percussion Drums Tambourine Maracas Congas, etc Vocal Accents Fill Rhythm Guitar Organ Sustain Piano Accents Sax/Brass Accents Vocal Accents Bass Line Electronic Bass Acoustic Upright Organ Pedals Vocal Accents Melody Line •Lead Vocalist(s)/Backup Vocalists •Lead Instrumentalist Soloists •Vocalists •Lead Guitarists •Flautists •Keyboard players •Strings •Brass •Sax Player •Blues Harp (which is?) Early Architects Les Paul (b. 1916). Innovator who developed the solid body (i.e. electric) les%20paul%20%20jml les4 Les Paul ---------- (XXX) (XXX) Les Paul and Friends: American Made, World Played Released Sept, 2005. Oldest artist in history to chart. lespaul WhoHigh g_epiphone_lp100_vs_gde A Gibson Les Paul, Epiphone model … and some admirers. sam phillips.jpg (120830 bytes) Sam Phillips (1923-2003) member Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame Sam Phillips - (XXX) Founded Memphis Recording Studios, which became Sun Records – Elvis Presley’s label. He refined the styles of BB King, Howlin’ Wolf and Elvis. (XXX) Influenced by Beale Street sound, he built an empire from a $150 store front rental. sun1 sam-phillips (… also instrumental in the career success of Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash …) 494 Ahmet Ertegun (1923-2006) member Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame Ahmet Ertegun – (XXX) Turkish immigrant. Founded Atlantic Records. Like Phillips he had the courage to seek out black artists, doing jazz, blues and ‘Race Music.’ Built an early stable of artists such as Ray Charles, Ruth Brown, John Coltrane and countless others. (XXX) Arguably the most adaptive of all the early major producers which is why he was still active and successful until his death. ertegun15x200 logo label Hired ‘Billboard’ journalist Jerry Wexler Catalogue of artists is staggering, including major artists from the late 40s to the present – Aretha Franklin, Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones, The Rascals, Otis Redding and scores more. stax_t7 7666130 Jerry Wexler (1917-2008)* (member Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame) (XXX) Wexler Signed Ray Charles (the label’s first major artist) and came up with the alternative name –Rhythm & Blues (R&B)– for what had previously been called ‘Race Music.’ *(… notice how many of these guys lived to a ripe old age; Guess it comes down to doing what you love for a living.) Leon & Phil Chess chess_leonard_phil (members of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame) (XXX) The Chess Brothers and founders of the Chess label. Polish immigrants (brothers) who settled in Chicago and signed Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker to their new company -- Chess Records. In 1952, they also signed Howlin’ Wolf and later Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley and many others as the label remained successful into the 1980s. (XXX) What was the first Rock ‘n’ Roll song ever recorded? Several lay claim: *Rocket 88 *Jazz at the Philharmonic; Blues, Part 2 (this track featured Nat King Cole and … Les Paul!!) * Crazy Man, Crazy … but of course the song that kick-started R&R was Bill Haley & the Comets “Rock Around the Clock.” Do you know for which movie this served as the theme? (XXX) notes RCA-Victor-47-8926-A RCA milkman-sm capitol In 1948, they introduce the LP format (23 minutes @ 33 1/3 rpm) 1949- They devise equipment that serves all 3 speeds. (Iconic LA corporate HQ) 1950-Introduce 7” 45 rpm format. (prior lp-sized discs Played one song at 78 rpm.) Muddy Waters’ birthplace MU04L_MuddyWatersCabin … in case you doubted that you hafta suffer to sing the blues! ray-charles Ray%20Charles%20copy GIV04~Ray-Charles-Posters A%20TRIBUTE%20TO%20RAY%20CHARLES Ray+Charles+-+Ray's+Crazy+Little+Hits Ray112 ray_charles 19%20Ray%20Charles ray2 RayCharles WOLFRASTERbig Howlin-Wolf wolf Muddy%20Waters muddywaters_imready 1093-muddy-waters MuddyWaters john-lee-hooker B00006AW2J Beggars Banquet cover RobertJ cream_cd “Crossroads” By Robert Johnson as Covered by Cream on Wheels of Fire Image:Creamwheelsoffire.jpeg Let’s take a break! --- For those who stay, here are three by The Animals. * Hallelujah, I Love Her So * Worried Life Blues * Hit the Road, Jack michael briffoteaux, the animals, eric burdon, chas chandler, john steel “HALLELUJAH, I LOVE HER SO” – The Animals “Hit the Road, Jack” – THE ANIMALS “Worried Life Blues” – THE ANIMALS “Boom Boom” by John Lee Hooker 110593-resized200