RHYTHM AND BLUES, ROCKABILLY, CLASSIC ROCK, THE 1950’S, DOO-WOP, & THE GUITAR.

LESSON 2
RHYTHM AND BLUES, ROCKABILLY, CLASSIC ROCK, THE 1950’S, DOO-WOP, & THE GUITAR.
Reading: Rock and Roll: A Social History, Chapters 3, 4, 5, & 6
LESSON 2 LEARNING OBJECTIVES
• Define and be able to recognize Rockabilly music through the chapter readings and in the songs included in the Listening
Selections for this lesson.
• To become familiar with, recognize, and apply specific music characteristic terms to describe the music of Chuck Berry,
Johnny Cash, Little Richard, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, and Jerry Lee Lewis.
• To recognize the characteristic similarities between Gospel Quartet singing and Doo Wop.
• To become familiar with, recognize, and apply specific music characteristic terms to describe the music you listen to in this
lesson.
Students are encouraged to repeat the listening examples. It would be counterproductive to listen to this great music only once.
LESSON 2 QUESTIONS
1. In what U.S. city was J & M Studios located? Describe the conditions present in J & M Studios. Why were studios such as J & M
significant during this time period?
2. What music styles and socio/cultural characteristics influenced the music and sound of Fats Domino?
3. What is rockabilly?
4. According to Friedlander, what were some of the important familial, religious, and musical experiences that shaped the life and
music of Jerry Lee Lewis?
5. Listen, compare, and contrast the following four examples of the Rockabilly style. How are they different? What do they seem to
have in common?
a) Folsom Prison Blues – Johnny Cash
b) Blue Suede Shoes – Carl Perkins
c) Ooby Dooby – Roy Orbison
d) Great Balls of Fire – Jerry Lee Lewis
6. Chuck Berry grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. How did his experience in this particular location affect his musical development?
Name three guitarists who were influential favorites of Chuck Berry.
7. As classic examples of the “hybrid” stylings of the great guitarist and vocalist Chuck Berry, listen to:
a) Thirty Days
b) Maybellene
c) Johnny B. Goode
Select one of these Chuck Berry songs that you like (your favorite from this list). What is it about the song you selected that
makes it interesting to listen to? Please describe the music (list any musical characteristics you recognize) as part of your
response.
8. Songs by the 1960’s group The Beach Boys, such as Surfer Girl (and many others) owes its vocal harmonies to those of the 1950’s
pop vocal group, the Four Freshmen. As you listen to the three Beach Boys selections, do you hear any evidence of other 1950’s
popular/rock and roll artist(s) coming through the music? Who or whom? a) Surfer Girl b) Surfin’ U.S.A. c) Fun, Fun, Fun