Although history, music has been a major part of society. It is a means of expression and entertainment and can bring people together. Although music has evolved throughout the years, the intent remains the same. But with evolution come different norms and mindsets, so when comparing music from the 1950s and the 2000s, not to mention 2023, there will be significant differences in messages, genres, and societal acceptance. Ultimately, the 1950s was a different world than today: different society, social norms, and completely different music.
In today’s world, Rock-and-roll music is still very prevalent. According to an article written by Ansel Pereira and published by Spinditty, called “100 Best Modern Rock Bands,” the most popular “modern” rock bands are a collection of artists through the decades.
Top 10 modern rock bands:
- Linkin Park
- Foo Fighters
- Red Hot Chili Peppers
- Nirvana
- Arctic Monkeys
- System of a Down
- Radiohead
- Green Day
- Shinedown
- Incubus
Modern Rock-and-roll bands today are considered “alternative.” In today’s world, Rock doesn’t have a specific genre, so it is really up to us to decide what is considered “Rock-and-roll,” but this is not how Rock was perceived when it came to be.
Rock-and-roll was born in the 1950s, and the purpose for this type of music originated from younger generations taking a stand and breaking free of the societal norms and events occurring. At the time, it was a “rebellion,” which made many traditional people angry. An article written by Lexie Thomas called “Commentary: Modern Rock influences music across genres” tells us that Rock was a statement; it says, “Back in the day when Rock was coming to be, it was all about defying the system. Rock music was about making a statement and going against the grain.” The article says that at the root of Rock was the idea of “rebellion” and taking a stance against what was happening in the climate of the 1950s, like the Cold War, segregation, discrimination, inequality, and injustice. The 1950s was considered a period of “conformity,” and rebellious teens were passionate about social change, and because of that, Rock-and-Roll was born.
An article published by American Songwriter and written by Jacon Uitti called “8 Rock Bands from the 50s That Shaped the Genre” tells us the roots of Rock and roll and the bands responsible for the genre that created social change.
Top 8 Rock-and-Roll Bands of the 50s:
- The Crickets
- The Everly Brothers
- The Platters
- Bill Haley and His Comets
- The Drifters
- The Isley Brothers
- Little Richard
- Chuck Berry
My ranking:
- Elvis Presley
- Chuck Berry
- Little Richard
- Jerry Lee Lewis
The article tells us that some bands lasted for years when the genre came to life. It says these are “eight legendary bands from the 1950s that helped define music born from the blues and made electric.” But even though these lyrics seem innocent and tame compared to music nowadays, back then, parents were enraged by Rock-and-roll because of its sexual nature.
At the time, Elvis Presley was a National Celebrity, and his interactions with drugs, alcohol, and women put a bad taste in parents’ mouths, and this was the impression they got for that type of music as a whole. An article by Eric Vaillancourt called “Rock ‘n’ Roll in the 1950s: Rockin’ for Civil Rights” says, “Most parents of the 1950s found themselves adamantly opposed to rock’ N’ roll. One of the main complaints of parents had to do with the sexual nature of Rock In’ roll lyrics and of some of its performers.” But why do they think this?
Since the 1950s was a time of conformity and youths trying to rise because of social injustices, the older generation viewed the music as propaganda. They saw the movement it was creating, and at the time, the older generation did not need to see change in society. Many older generations saw this rebellious music as a threat to American values. Parents feared that their children listening to this music would lead them to embrace African-American culture and values. This aspect of fear is why Rock-and-roll was considered a threat to traditional American values and way of life.
One of the main reasons the older generation did not like Rock and roll was because they did not see a need to end segregation. An article published by the University of Southern Indiana called “Rock ‘n’ Roll and “Moral Panics” – Part One: 1950s and 1960s” says, “One of the moral panics associated with the first wave of rock ‘n’ roll was the fear of race mixing – that young black and white kids would get together over this music that had a rhythmic, primitive, sensuous beat.” The older generation typically viewed the genre as “black music.” Because Rock-and-roll originated among the lower classes and a segregated ethnic group, many white people thought it was vulgar.
One of the last reasons so many parents were opposed to Rock-and-roll is because it was considered “satanic” because of the inappropriate lyrics and messages. An article published by Mike Palumbo called “Criticism of “The Devil’s Music” (Rock & Roll)” says, To them, “everything about Rock & Roll spoke of the “Devil’s Music” – from its roots in African-American culture to its hip-shimmying rhythms and less-than-pious lyrics. Many saw rock music as a sign of cultural and moral decline, and some even believed to hear hidden satanic messages in its lyrics.”
Overall, music is constantly evolving and changing. As our society and technology grow, our values and social norms progress. Life is entirely different from life in the 1950s; it is no longer a “conformity” society; it is a society where we fight for change, stand up against what we feel is wrong, and protest for what we think is right. Because of the conformity, traditional American values, religious beliefs, and old ways of life, Rock-and-roll was not socially acceptable because of its “vulgar” lyrics and the rebellious spirit it caused in the youth. Parents at the time did not feel the need for change in society, but the younger generation saw the flaws in our country and wanted to fight for change. Rock-and-roll acted as that defiant outlet. Rock-and-roll posed a threat to the old generation because it was a symbol of change and did threaten American values, but only because the “values” at the time were rooted in racism, inequality, and social injustice. Rock-and-roll musicians wanted to make a change, and that’s what they did.