Elvis helped change the way many teens thought in the 1950s.
The 1950s was an era of prosperity and conservatism in the United States. The American dream of a house with a white picket fence became desirable and attainable. The rise of television offered a uniform vision of life and success. What was seen on TV became the norm, especially for young people. New music genres also emerged in the 1950s. All of these factors helped change the outlook of young people.
Early 1950s Music
Jukeboxes played conservative tunes in the early 1950s.
In the early 1950s, teens mainly listened to their parents' music. The Fifties Web describes the music of artists who dominated the charts, such as Perry Como, Pat Boone and Rosemary Clooney, as "feel good." The music of these artists reflected the mood of post-World War II America.
Rise of Rock 'N' Roll
Teenagers were delighted with the new sound.
Out of this conservatism arose a new musical form called rock 'n' roll. It was a fusion of country, rhythm and blues, and Tin Pan Alley, according to Dr. Frank Hoffmann. There is debate on when rock 'n' roll started; however, "Rock Around the Clock," which was recorded by Bill Haley & the Comets on April 12, 1954, was most likely the first hit of the new genre. In 1956, Elvis Presley achieved fame and stardom after a series of TV performances, most notably on "The Ed Sullivan Show." His success pushed rock 'n' roll into the mainstream.
Effect of Rock 'N' Roll
Most parents despised rock 'n' roll, and this had a profound effect on the way teenagers viewed the new genre. It became forbidden fruit. According to Teacher Webspace, parents feared their teens would be harmed by the "vulgar, oversexed rock 'n' roll stars like Elvis." But the more they objected, the more popular it became. Teens were excited by rock 'n' roll, which seemed to give them an identity separate from their parents. The teens also also had money to spend on records, radios and clothes, so they could imitate the rock 'n' roll stars they saw on TV and in movies.
Generation Gap
Through rock music and TV, teenagers began to experience freedom and experiences their parents never had. According to Rewind the 1950s, "It seemed as if teenagers were becoming more rebellious, defensive, and at times, disrespectful, and that listening to rock 'n' roll was the root cause of all this rebellion." Music did influence how teenagers reacted to authority and increased their desire for their own identity, but the belief that rock 'n' roll fueled rebellion was exaggerated, according to Rewind the 1950s.
Civil Rights
Rock 'n' roll arrived on the scene at the same time the Civil Rights Movement began to gain traction. According to Cheryl Baer, the two concurrent movements were not a coincidence. The origins of rock 'n' roll are heavily influenced by African-American music and some of the early stars included Chuck Berry, Fats Domino and Little Richard. Because they were part of the rock 'n' roll industry, it became acceptable for the first time for white audiences to buy records and go to concerts of black performers, according to Hoffmann.
Related posts
Music in the '50s ranged from rock 'n' roll to the big band sound.The postwar period of the 1950s brought optimism to the United States, and the music of that era reflected that attitude. Although...
The jukebox was part of the central social hub for teens in the 1950s.The 1950s, a time of poodle skirts, milkshakes, drive-in movies, drag racing and letter jackets, was influenced by innovative...
In the 1950s sock hops were informal dances often sponsored by high schools and attended by students who kicked off their shoes and danced to rock 'n' roll music.HistoryIn the 1950s school dances...
Development of a new art form: rock 'n' roll musicAccording to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, rock 'n' roll music has the power to bring people together and motivate them in special ways. No othe...
Turn an ordinary party into a 1950s-inspired extravaganza.Whether you were a 1950s teenager, or wish you had been, a 1950s themed party can be a great excuse to let your hai...
