Chapter 5

Bridge

A piece of wood or metal attached to the body of the guitar to which the strings are attached or over which they pass

Venturers

Among the most important of the early instrumental groups to become associated with the surf image but they did not adopt that image until after other surf groups copied them. The group consisted of two guitars, and electric bass, and a drummer. The twangy guitar was a clear influence on their style and they became one of the few surf groups to maintain a following in the 60s and beyond. They had several instrumental hits and recorded the theme song for Hawaii Five-0. With the help of a large following of Japan they were still together and popular when the surfer sound experienced a revival in the USA in the early 80s

Chubby checker

Covered Hank Ballard's song called the twist. The popularity of the twist dance resulted in more than just a hit record for him by starting a craze that continued for the next few years. And he also popularized dances like the pony, the fly, and the limbo.

Duane Eddy

Distinctive and influential guitar style that is called Twangy guitar. His recording stress the use of repetition lead lines played on the guitars bass strings with vibrato by Pitch variation and the studio or amplifier produced echo effects gave the guitar a sound that was constantly wavering. His first hit rebel rouser was very much influenced by the energy of gospel music where it used an instrumental form of call and response where guitars were answered by saxophones. His second hit was ramrod, a blues song, and forty miles of bad road which had a standard pop form.

Tremolo

Fast repetitions of a single note. Loud-soft undulations next a pitch; not to be confused with a vibrato

Beach Boys

Formed by three brothers. They were more than just a surf rock group. They did use the twangy guitar style and the tremolo style in many of the groups instrumental recordings but also imitated the riff based sounds of Chuck Berry. Brian Wilson the groups main writer and producer had been a fan of the jazz vocal group four freshman and used their vocal group styles and harmonies in many of the hits. After more than 20 years of recording and performing they developed so far beyond their surf oriented name. Some hits including surfing in the USA which has the same chord progression as sweet little 16 by Chuck Berry. Barry sued them and won. Brian Wilson used the wall of sound and developed the best album they ever had called pet sounds. The album told a story.

Alan Freed

Fought against racism by giving African-Americans airplay time. He had accepted payola so his career was under investigation. He had a game ABC television show called dance party. Because his name was along with Chuck Berry as a songwriter of berrrys hit Maybelline and others it was obvious he was guilty. He lost his TV show and was found guilty of bribery and income tax invasion. His alcohol problem worsened and he died in 1965.

Dick Clark

Host of American Bandstand, was able to withstand payola scandal, his show was able to continue because it was a positive influence on teens. He did have financial interest in some of the records he promoted on his show but was investigated for payola and in the end his attorney said that he also promoted records in which had no financial interest and was not found guilty

Antecedent and consequent phrases

Melodic phrases that occur in pairs in which the first sounds incomplete and the second brings the first to a final sounding resolution

Phil Spector

Producer known for his "Wall of Sound" technique. He said he was bringing symphonies to teens through his classical music likening. He would contract singers but kept ownership of their stage or group names so he could use any combination of singers he wanted and call them whatever name he wanted. Married Veronica Bennett a Ronnette. He produced the Beatles let it be album and Harrison all things must Pass and linens imagine. He attempted to come back with Cher Dion but cannot return to his earlier success. In the end he was sentenced to 19 years to life in prison for shooting to death the actress Lena Clarkson.

Ritchie Valens

Teen idol who had a Latin rock hit based on a traditional Mexican dance song La Bamba

Payola

The practice of bribing disc jockeys to induce them to play particular recordings on the air.

Pat Boone

Was one of those who became popular singing pop ballads as well as the blues or rhythm and blues songs. And he was not after the energy of rockabilly and instead had his own clean-cut boy next-door image. He would wear white but shoes which became his trademark. He recorded little Richard tutti-frutti which made number 12 on the pop charts. He tried to imitate little Richards rhythmic singing style but without Richards growling tone quality he added a touch of Jazz. He played in the movies April love and journey to the center of the earth.