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WWII's effect on 1950's Music
Following the detrimental effects of World War II, the United States was about to embark on a musical journey that would change the face of music for decades to come (Fifties,2013). -
Baby Boom
The baby boom started in 1946, 3.4 million were born. About 4 million babies were born each year during the 1950s. (The 1950s- Facts & Summary, n.d.) -
33 1/3 lp's
33 1/3 lp’s 1948 -
The Start of Rhythm & Blues
"It's Too Soon To Know"- by the Orioles was one of the first rhythm and blues songs of its time. Rhythm & Blues was a mix of Jazz and Rock 'n' Roll (Cornerstone, 2014). -
45 Records
45 records came out February of 1949 -
"Red Scare"
Tens of thousands of Americans lost their jobs, as well as their families and friends, in the anti-communist “Red Scare” of the 1950s. (The 1950s- Facts & Summary, n.d.) -
Fender Electric Guitar
1952 fender electric guitar -
Civil Rights Movement & Music
Tensions were being strained with the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement and music reflected many of the tensions people were feeling (Fifties, 2013). -
First Elvis Single
July of 1954 first Elvis single -
Igniting Rock 'n' Roll Revolution
Chuck Berry recorded “Maybellene” on May 21, 1955 – marked in music history as the song that helped ignite the Rock 'n' Roll revolution (Chuck, 2014). -
Rosa Parks
In December 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a city bus to a white person. (The 1950s- Facts & Summary, n.d.) -
American Bandstand goes national
although American Bandstand was a local television show in Philadelphia since 1952, it did not go national until 1957. The 1st national episode featured images of clean-cut, average teenagers dancing to Jerry Lee Lewis' "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" (American, 2014) -
"The Day The Music Died"
The deaths of Rock 'n' Roll musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and "The Big Bopper" (J.P. Richardson), in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa. Dubbed "The Day The Music Died" by Don McLean's song, "American Pie" (50 Years, 2009). -
John F. Kennedy
On January 20, 1961 John F. Kennedy is elected president. (The 1950s- Facts & Summary, n.d.) -
Beach Boys Perform
December 1961 Beach Boy perform -
Beatles First Hit
December 1963 Beatles first hit in the United States I want hold your hand -
"The British Invasion"
The Beatles first appeared in the United States on The Ed Sullivan Show in front of a reported 73 million viewers, which was 3/4 of the total adult population at the time (The Beatles, 2014). -
"Summer of Love"
Psychedelic rock along with Folk rock became two of the most recognizable sounds associated with 1967's "Summer of Love" (Sixties, 2014). -
Woodstock 1969
Woodstock was held on Aug 15 - 17, 1969 on a farm in New York. What started out as an event encouraging love & peace became an event protesting the Vietnam War (Ward, 2013).
