What do you know about what defines “rock and roll”
and how it started?
My mom completely missed the entire rock and roll era. Though she was in her twenties for most of the sixties, she was listening to Mozart and Beethoven while her peers were likely turning on, tuning in, and dropping out. I’m talking SERIOUS squaresville, my mom.
But God love her, she always wants me to educate her about “the rock music”, and I love trying. One of her most common questions is, “What makes a song rock and roll? Is it the beat?” And I must admit, I am not very good at answering that question. I’ll often say that rock music requires an electric guitar, an electric bass guitar, a drum kit, and a lead singer. But that’s probably wrong. Please help me in the comments, if you can.
Today (Monday), she asked me “who started rock and roll?” That, of course, is also kind of a difficult question, for me, anyway. I know that Chuck Berry was considered a pioneer, and maybe Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley, too, to some degree.
But I have enough musician friends who have told me that ALL rock and roll is a footnote to the blues legend, Robert Johnson. And I adore Robert Johnson, so I went on YouTube and played Love in Vain (1937) for her:
Thirty-two years later, Love in Vain was covered by The Rolling Stones:
My mom said she’ll never remember the name “Robert Johnson”, but I told her to try. She gets bonus points from the serial killers she evaluates/interviews when she exhibits a rudimentary knowledge of rock music. Then, chances are, they become more willing to open up to her and tell her about the unspeakable abuse they invariably endured when young. So this is kind of important. She once had a breakthrough with one of her murderers because, thanks to me, she knew what a Fender Stratocaster was.
So please, if you have any info to add about the origins of rock and roll, or what the hell it is, exactly, please share in the comments! Thank you!
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