Gaer
"Angel whisperer"
- Location
- New Mexico U.S.A.
Who, in your opinion could be considered the Father of Rock and Roll?
I'm thinking maybe, Chuck Berry, but what is your opinion?
I'm thinking maybe, Chuck Berry, but what is your opinion?
That is certainly a thought. Consider Alan Freed, the DJ who promoted rock and roll very early on:is "The Father of Rock and Roll" necessarily the first?
Oh the memories this song brought back. I would go to dances with my sister and friends. Whenever this song came on a guy at the dance would run up and dance with my sister.Chuck Berry's father?
It seems to me there was "rock and roll" before Chuck Berry, though it is arguable since it didn't sound rock and roll to me. In various "history of rock and roll", I have read that "Sh Boom Sh Boom" by the Crewcuts was the first rock and roll tune. When you hear the tune, you will understand my doubts about that claim.
Tony
Well said Rose, Big Joe and his ilk, the likes of Bullmoose (Benjamin) Jackson, Wynonie Harris, Bumps Blackwell, (A band leader & author of Long Tall Sally) and so many more, were ripping up the dance floors long before the term, Rock & Roll was coined. Those early artistes never got the recognition that they so deserved. They all have pride of place on my juke box.Little Richard
That is certainly a thought. Consider Alan Freed, the DJ who promoted rock and roll very early on:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Freed
White audiences would not have heard any of that without him.
Tony
As the thread grows, more musicians and promoters will likely be mentioned.As far as mid 1950's musicians/singers are concerned, nobody has mentioned Carl "Blue Suede Shoes" Perkins....
This is apparently true. Reading the history of the time, it is often stated that Elvis "sounded Black" and therefore was able to get airplay at a time when Black musicians were not played for white audiences. Since I was born in 1953 and therefore a bit young to be aware of all these issues at the time, I am only repeating what I have read in a number of places, rather than stating it from my own recollection.I don't know if there was one father of rock and roll. Blacks originated that "let loose" type of music and performers like Elvis expanded it's audience to white teens. When it became popular others jumped in.
Yes, I think there is something about rock and roll. Even country music these days is indistinguishable from rock and roll. As a long time country fan once commented to me, country is now like 50s rock and roll. This genre seems more popular than ever since having made that transition.I think these are all good answers. Chuck Berry was certainly the most notable among the names mentioned.
A question I have is why is rock and roll still a thing? My 17 year old son who is 50 years younger than me likes rock and roll. I don't think I like a single thing about my parents music. I barely even know what their music was. By and large, interest in their music died with them.
There is truly something about rock and roll that made it transcend just one time in history.