I am "Rock ‘n’ Roll"

This post is all about Rock ‘n’ Roll music.

Disclaimer: I have written this post with my little knowledge on rock music and have not referred any third party sources. But of course, earlier I have watched and read many interviews of Rock Stars and also conscious that some of my views or thoughts reflected in this article will be same of oseartists.

I thank Putholi, a dear friend of mine, who inspired me to write this post. It all started a week before as a general discussion on Rock Music. I am grateful to Bala, Beta & Bobby who has introduced me to the Rock genre.

I am a greatest fan of the band Pink Floyd and their music. I dare say floydian music has greater influence of all my life. I strongly believe in two things that will bring peace and harmony to the world, the first one is Music and other is Sports.

Rock ‘n’ Roll is definitely a Black Music (started by Afro-Americans), originated in America at early 1940’s. The origin of rock music is the mix of Boogie-woogie (a popular style of playing piano that was famous in early 1930’s) and blues. In other words Rock ‘n’ Roll is a mix of (R ‘n’ B) Rhythm and Blues in up tempo. If you hear a rock song you will notice the vocal goes with a lead or rhythm guitar & electric bass guitar, drums and Piano or Saxophone or all.


Rock ‘n’ Roll – Revolution for the liberationRock ‘n’ Roll born in early twentieth century in the midst of White and Black racism. Whites used to serve only to white customers in restaurants or pubs, taxis run by whites used to carry a plate similar to number plate displaying “We serve only white customers”. Nonetheless blacks did the same. Rock 'n' roll was seen as obscenity and vulgarity by the white people. There were many black artists at that time, their music failed to release by the white run record companies. This trend was later changed by ‘Sun Record Company’ founded by Sam Phillips (a white) in 1952.

Chuck Berry - Father of Rock n Roll
There was integration problem. Rock ‘n’ Roll started to break the racial barriers and that was the last thing any white politicians wanted at that point of time. To get through this a 12 member committee was formed by the American Government to study the consequences of Rock ‘n’ Roll music. All the Government officials including Mayors were against the growing audience of Rock ‘n’ Roll music. The audience was none other than the youth, 51% of them are below 18 years. All kids danced for Little Richards, Chuck Berry, Elvis, and Carl.

In my opinion, Chuck Berry was the Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Chuck a most influential rock artist of that time. He was a good lyricist, and his music was adored by the American youths of both the races. Most of his songs are fast paced and everybody enjoyed dancing. In-fact in some of the recorded - live shows of Chuck Berry, I have seen White and Black people getting mixed up while dancing. This was just the beginning. Rock ‘n’ Roll started to break racial boundaries. The mass integration of both Black and White youths were seen for the first time. All these happened in a short span of three years. Music was a powerful medium and Chuck Berry was the door opener.

Elvis Presley – The Catalyst of Change
When I say Chuck Berry was the door opener, the catalyst was none other than Elvis Presley. Elvis was shaped by the hands of God, he was so good looking. Nobody ever could find a fault in his looks. All he has to do is just come to the stage and say ‘Hey You’ the audience includes majority of girls went crazy and scream never stopped. Elvis was the catalyst and he made people not only to dance but sing Rock ‘n’ Roll.

When I was kid I used to think Elvis was a serious guy, and for that matter most of the rock music lovers thought the same. I could not believe myself when I burst out laughing watching his recorded – live shows. He made his audience laugh like no other could have imagined.Not only youths but middle aged people started to like his music. In one of the interview of Bruce Springsteen, I remember him saying that his mother was once against Elvis, later liked his music after watching Ed Sullivan Show (a popular show on CBS network). Springsteen was one of the many artists who got inspired by Elvis and later turned out to be a musician. Bruce Springsteen has won many Grammys and also won an Academy award/Oscar.

Elvis was ‘Color Blind’ his music did not differentiate Black or White or Red. Everybody loved it. Elvis did not realize his potential; the impact of his music was so immense that it can’t be reversed. White parents had scary nights thinking of their children picking up the music of blacks. And what was scaring the most was Elvis was white.

Tough TimesPoliticians felt the threat of integration. The smash up of Rock ‘n’ Roll started and some of them worth mentioning are Mayor banned Rock ‘n’ Roll, Chuck Berry sentenced two years on Moral Charges, Elvis forced to join Military service and later posted to Germany, Press & Media hated Rock ‘n’ Roll for five long years and TV banned all rock related shows.


Last Few WordsRock ‘n’ Roll - Revolution for the liberation. The social impact of this genre was so powerful that it has leveled and influenced day to day life of the Americans, Europeans, Australians, Asian and other people. India was greatly influenced by this music genre in the late sixties. Ilayaraja, a south based music director was one of the early adopter of this genre.


I like to end this article with one of my favorite quote from the movie ‘V for Vendetta’
“V: Would you... dance with me?Evey Hammond: Now? On the eve of your revolution?V: A revolution without dancing is a revolution not worth having!”


Cheers!