The progression of music from the 1940's to the present has seen extremes, it has been controversial at times, traditional at times and inspirational at times, but never have the American people turned away music in its entirety. There have been times when parents did not approve of the music that their children chose to listen to, but the parents had never turned away music. Music has been criticized and promoted. Since the 40's music has progressed from Ballads (which were still lingering around from the 30's) to blues (popular among Blacks) to rock and roll, to pop, and back again. In the 1940's ballads were popular. Ballads were danceable music performed by big bands. They w ...view middle of the document...
'Someday, maybe someone will discover the reason that Chuck Berry, Do Diddley, Fats Domino, and Little Richard never connected with black audiences' (25 years,p15). This may be because they might have almost been embarrassed from their blues roots. In the 60's such stars as Chubby Checker became popular through Dick Clark. Chubby Checker also became popular though his dance called 'The Twist'. Folk music was among popular music for a brief period time. Around 1962 Surfin music started in California when the Beach Boys were formed. The Beach Boys released hit after hit starting with 'Surfin USA' in 1963 and 'Fun, Fun, Fun' in 1964. Along with The Beach Boys were a group of two known as Jan & Dean. They also produced Surfin Music hits such as 'Sidewalk Surfin'' and Dead Man's Curve. The sixties also introduced the British Invasion to America. Groups like 'The Yardbirds' and Zombies could be heard everywhere. At the head of this British invasion was a group known as 'The Beatles' There hits like 'I want to hold your hand'. They broke up in 1970 and all pursued solo careers or in their own band. Many people requested that they have reunions, but those requests basically stopped with the death of John Lennon, a member of the Beatles, was murdered in 1980. 'The Rolling Stones' were formed in 1962 and very much contrasted the Beatles softer sound. The Rolling Stones were a more energetic type of American rhythm and Blues. In the 70's The electric guitar became more experimental with the different sounds that it could produce. 'The change began in 1968. By 1970 the change in direction of rock music was cemented. No longer were life-or-death rock riffs the order of the day. Groups like Crosby, Stills and Nash, The Band, and Creedence Clearwater Revival suggested a return to country roots, a search for a simpler time.' (25 years,p60) Disco returned in 1974. Everything went wild when ' Saturday night Fever' introduced a new type of dancing and music. The new form of disco hit the floors with 'The Bee Gees' They kept the anger of original Rytheme and Blues ...
