| Description |
xvi, 351 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (pages 329-336) and index. |
| Contents |
Introduction : History you can dance to! -- I. Before Elvis: the rise of rock & roll (1946-1955) : 1. Mystery train: the African American roots of Rock & Roll ; 2. Good rockin' tonight: from R & B to Rock & Roll ; 3. Rock around the clock: Rock & Roll goes national -- II. The coming of Elvis (1954-1956) : 4. I was the one: Rock & Roll personified ; 5. Money honey: Presleymania sweeps the nation -- III. After Elvis: the growth of Rock & Roll (1956) : 6. The girl can't help it!: Rock & Roll and the media ; 7. The Rock and Roll waltz: pop music's new fandango ; 8. Let the good times roll: R & B goes mainstream ; 9. Dixie fried: the growth of Southern Rockabilly -- Conclusion : Crazy man, crazy! The birth of Rock & Roll and 1950s America. |
| Summary |
Let's Rock! reclaims the lost history of rock & roll, one of the most important cultural developments in post-WW II America. Based on years of research and interviews, the book offers new information and fresh perspectives about the rise of rock & roll and 1950s America, arguing that rather than rebellion and liberalism, the musical craze supported centrist politics, traditional values, and mainstream attitudes toward race, gender, class, and ethnicity. |
|
Rock & roll was one of the most important cultural developments in post-World War II America, yet its origins are shrouded in myth and legend. Let's Rock! reclaims the lost history of rock & roll. Based on years of research, as well as interviews with Bo Diddley, Pat Boone, and other rock & roll pioneers, the book offers new information and fresh perspectives about Elvis, the rise of rock & roll, and 1950s America. Rock & roll is intertwined with the rise of a post-World War II youth culture, the emergence of African Americans in society, the growth of consumer culture, technological change, the expansion of mass media, and the rise of a Cold War culture that endorsed traditional values to guard against communism. Richard Aquila's book demonstrates that early rock & roll was not as rebellious as common wisdom has it. The new sound reflected the conservatism and conformity of the 1950s as much as it did the era's conflict. Rock & roll supported centrist politics, traditional values, and mainstream attitudes toward race, gender, class, and ethnicity. The musical evidence proves that most teenagers of the 1950s were not that different from their parents and grandparents when it came to basic beliefs, interests, and pastimes. Young and old alike were preoccupied by the same concerns, tensions, and insecurities. Rock & roll continues to permeate the fabric of modern life, and understanding the music's origins reminds us of the common history we all share. Music lovers who grew up during rock & roll's early years as well as those who have come to it more recently will find Let's Rock an exciting historical and musical adventure.--Publisher information |
| Subject |
Presley, Elvis, 1935-1977.
|
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Rock music -- United States -- To 1961 -- History and criticism.
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MUSIC -- Genres & Styles -- Rock.
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MUSIC -- History & Criticism.
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SOCIAL SCIENCE -- Popular Culture.
|
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Presley, Elvis, 1935-1977. (OCoLC)fst00027575
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Rock music. (OCoLC)fst01099204
|
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United States. (OCoLC)fst01204155
|
| Chronological Term |
To 1961
|
| Genre/Form |
Criticism, interpretation, etc. (OCoLC)fst01411635
|
|
Criticism, interpretation, etc.
|
| Other Form: |
Online version: Aquila, Richard, 1946- Let's rock! Lanham : Rowman & Littlefield, 2016 9781442269378 (DLC) 2016015726 |
| ISBN |
9781442269361 (hardcover ; alkaline paper) |
|
1442269367 (hardcover ; alkaline paper) |
| Standard No. |
9781442269361 |
|
