MUS 1013: Rock I - Exam #1 Study Guide

Be able to associate specific performers with appropriate performance style(s).

Know the characteristics of each of the three musical styles that fed into the emergence of Rock & Roll; i.e., melody, harmony, rhythm, instrumentation, form, lyrics, & vocal style.

Know the "Elements of Music" and the "Musical Structures" as discussed in class.

What was the primary musical style listened to by most of white middle-class U.S. in the early 1950s? Be able to associate performers with this early style of music.

Name two subcultures that were noticeably distinct from the white middle-class society mentioned above. What musical style (or styles) was associated with each of these subcultures?

What was the center of popular-music publishing in New York City from the late 1800s to the late 1950s? Describe the creators and performers of the style of music that came out of this venue.

Describe specifically the following musical characteristics of Pop Music: lyrical content, rhythm, melody, instrumentation, and tempo.

What were the five major recording companies ("The Big Five") of the early 1950s pop market?

What were the advantages that the "Majors" had over the "Indies?"

What was the primary audience for Pop Music in the 50s? Why?

Be able to identify the correct definition of the following musical terms:

What are the 3 questions you must ask yourself when attempting to determine the difference between monophonic, homophonic, and polyphonic textures?

What are the three most likely possibilities at any juncture in the musical form?

What radio show (beginning as "WSM Barndance" in 1927) proved to be important to the rise in popularity of C&W during the early 1950s?

What were the main similarity & difference between the audience for C&W and the Pop market?

Describe specifically the following musical characteristics of C&W Music: lyrical content, rhythm, melody, instrumentation, and tempo.

What was the most important of the three styles leading to the emergence of Rock & Roll?

Name three leading centers for R&B recording just prior to the emergence of Rock & Roll.

Know the four "indies" mentioned in your text that were formed in the 40s and went on to have considerable impact on R&B music in the 1950s.

Upon what common musical form were most R&B tunes based?

In what 3-year period did three distinct markets converge, resulting in the emergence of Rock & Roll?

What were two specific (and related) phenomena that led to a blurring of the boundaries between these three separate markets?

The mid-50s signaled the emergence of a distinct "youth culture." What was the typical image of such a teenager?

What was Bill Haley's band called before they became "The Comets?"

"Rock Around the Clock" met with only moderate success when it was released in 1954. What caused it to become a #1 single in 1955?

What are possible reasons that Haley & his Comets did not emerge as "front" band for the emerging sound (and image) of Rock & Roll?

What early influences factored into the development of Elvis' musical style?

What was the name of the small local recording studio where Elvis went to make a record as a gift for his mother in 1953? Who owned this studio (as well as Sun Records)?

Elvis signed his first recording contract with what record company in July of 1954?

The first single released by Elvis underscores the biracial nature of his style. Name the two song titles and identify from which of the three markets (R&B, C&W, or Pop) each song original came.

Though voted the #1 "up and coming" C&W artist in the 1955 Billboard magazine disc jockey poll, list the ways in which he was not a typical C&W act.

What two important events occurred in Elvis' career at the end of 1955 & beginning of 1956, setting him on the road to national recognition.

What is a "2-sided hit single?"

What five Elvis songs reached #1 on all three charts (Pop, R&B, and C&W)?

Between 1958 and 1960, Elvis took a brief respite from his singing career for what reason?

On what day did Elvis die? of what cause?

Many rock songs emphasize beats two and four (opposite of the traditional approach). In this case, the music is said to have a strong ___________?

What were the three basic trends that emerged in the beginning of rock and roll? How were they associated with the 3 styles that merged in the early 50s?

Why was the name "doo-wop" used to describe the style of black vocal groups of the 40s and early 50s?

Would the following artists be categorized as mainstream rock, rockabilly, or soft rock?

What is the reason that Jerry Lee Lewis' career came to an abrupt (and premature) end?

Why did Buddy Holly's career end prematurely? On what date did this event occur?

Rock & Roll music formed an early alliance with what type of mass media? How did each benefit from this partnership?

What television show emerged in the Fall of 1957 to provide a focus on teen Rock & Roll?

What is meant by "Top 40" radio format?

What problem was inherent in the partnership between the recording industry and radio?

What was the name given to cash, "promotional weekends," or partial ownership in the song, artist, or record company offered by record companies to disc jockeys in exchange for airplay?

Ch. 5

What were the four conflicting trends that appear to have existed during the transition period in the early 60s?

Which of the three trends of 1950s Rock & Roll did not appear to have made the transition into the 60s?

Was the 1960s folk music "true folk music" (i.e., it the purest sense)?

What two famous folk singers were part of the Almanac Singers? Which of these two left the group before they became the Weavers?

What vocal group had the first real hit in the folk music trend? What was the title and when did it hit the charts?

What is meant by "urban folk trend?"

What folk vocal trio was able to produce softer, more commercial versions (i.e., suitable for mass consumption) of songs written by some of the artists at the hard-core center of the folk movement?

What was a typical gathering place where the new socio-politically conscious youth could go to hear poets and singers dispense meaningful philosophies to the accompaniment of guitars and bongo drums?

Describe four main characteristics of the early folk music trend.

What was the geographic center of the "Surf Music" subculture?

What "Surf Music" performer had a regional (southern CA) hit in 1962 with Surfer's Choice, but failed to make any national impact?

Which member was the "musical mentor" of the Beach Boys, become increasingly conversant with technical aspects of the recording studio?

The release of what single (late 1966) signaled the Beach Boys' move into their "post-surfing-music phase?

What is the stage name used by Ernest Evans, who capitalized on the popularity of the "dance craze" in the early 1960s?

What was the name of the 1950s mainstream rock performer after whom his name was inspired?

What two specific contrasting influences had a particularly strong impact on the surfing style of the Beach Boys?

Ch. 6

What is "skiffle" music? What was the name of the skiffle band boasting a young John Lennon and Paul McCartney?

Who was the first bass player with the Beatles? Who was the first drummer for the Beatles, hired in 1960 for their 2-month booking in Hamburg?

Who were the "fifth" (producer) and "sixth" (manager) Beatles?

When it was agreed that Pete Best was not fitting in personally or musically with the Beatles, who filled the drumming position in August 1962?

What was the Beatles second release, climbing to the #1 spot on the British charts in March of 1963?

What was the first Beatles song that reached the #1 spot on the American charts early in 1964, signaling the true beginning of a British Invasion?

What was significant about the Top 5 hits for the week of April 4, 1964?

In 1965, what song initiated the beginning of the Beatles' period of experimentation, eventually becoming their most recorded song?

What three albums were created during the Beatles' phase of experimentation?

What Beatles album (released in the summer of 1967) is still considered by many as the classic rock album?

What is a "concept album?"

Which one of the Beatles was believed by many fans to have died in automobile accident in 1966 and replaced by an imposter, when the Beatles stopped touring? What were some of the numerous "clues" that confirmed their suspicion?

The Beatles began a musical revolution within rock & roll that left no parameter of music untouched, redefining what rock could be. (True/False)

How would you characterize the split in mainstream rock & roll that occurred with the British Invasion? What two bands, more than any others, represent the two extremes of this split?

Who were the "Bad Boys" of rock & roll?

What specific characteristics of the Rolling Stones illustrated their intent to create a "counterimage to the Beatles?"

The Rolling Stones' first American tour was a huge success. (True/False)

After making several Beatle-like attempts at musical sophistication, the Stones found their niche in the rock & roll market by returning almost exclusively to what style of rock?

What "free outdoor concert on the West Coast" in December of 1969 proved to be a tragic event for the Rolling Stones (and many in attendance)? Because of the lack of planning, who did Jaggar turn to as a "security force?"

What was the first significant rock & roll band to foster an overtly negative image? What were the two main ways in which this rebellious, surly, anti-social side of rock was fostered?

What were ways in which the early Stones (c. 1963-68) appear to have copied the Beatles' recipe for success?

At the end of the 60s, there was a "second wave" of British bands. What bands does your text suggest as representative of this movement?

What was the name of the guitarist who had been with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and the Yardbirds, and formed one of the first rock trios? What was the name of his trio?

Eric Clapton (Yardbirds) became known for his insertion of long improvisatory instrumental breaks into the form of a tune. What were these improvisational breaks called?

With the breakup of the Yardbirds in 1968, guitarist Jimmy Page attempted to organize another band called the "New Yardbirds." Shortly thereafter, he succeeded in putting together a band under what name?