Rock and Roll, a brief history

  It came wailin out of the backwoods of Tennessee, with roots deep in places like Chicago, Detroit and New York City. A true American art form, because like the American people, it was a mutt by musical standards? A conglomeration of all that had gone before it. I believe that the term Rock and Roll was first coined by a DJ named Alan Freid? Before that, the sound was called, Boogie Woogie, Be Bop and Scat! But this new music caused quite a scare with older Americans, when first brought to the public eye from a kid named Elvis Presley. The guy gyrated his hips while singing songs similar to what blacks listened to, and this was a matter of concern then, as racism was widespread! It was a real scandal for the times, and campaigns to eradicate the new sound culminated in record smashing!
But the music survived, and evolved into what was to be the next big change? The so called British invasion was ushered in at first by the Beatles, quickly followed by the Rolling Stones and many others. It was acclaimed as a new sound, but it wasn't really. At the time, the music was going through  a faze of heavy orchestrations, with some music even incorporating violins? But what the Beatles and others said was, Hey, do you remember Rock and Roll? All that is needed are drums, a rhythm and a bass guitar, and someone good enough to play lead. Piano optional? Simple right, not new, just back to basics! This happened because while we Americans were listening to Percy Faith, British kids were listening to guys like Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf, and Chuck Berry!
But the biggest boost that this new old sound got came from technology, as FM stereo was in its infancy, and these new bands took full advantage of it. While the artist dabbled into Rock fusions with other genres like folk and Country, Jazz and the Blues, new recording technologies were also emerging like multi track recording. At this time, Rock moved onto the FM stereo stations and the new type of DJ who understood the music they played. While Pop music which we called Bubble Gum was relagated to Am and the top forties?
  The last of the changes is what brought about much of todays music. Michael Jackson was the first to effectively combine music and dance. His live performance of Billy Jean was pure genius! But sadly, for most who followed his lead, the music has become secondary to the dancing? Where true Rock and Roll goes from here is anyones guess? But one thing is for sure. If Rock and Roll is to survive as an artform, it must come from the musicians who play it, and certainly not from those who lip sync and dance to it. Long live Rock and Roll!