Module 7 Rock n Roll

Frankie Avalon

Why (1959, No. 1) After music, he then focused on movies after his musical hits (like Elvis). He was in Grease and Beach party

Bobby Vee

(stood in for Buddy Holly the day he died). Take good Care of my Baby (1961) No. 1. Written by Goffin and King.

Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich

*GIRL GROUPS* They worked in the brill building as a married couple. They are famous for their girl group songs of the 60s. They were inducted into the hall of fame in 2010. They were into teenage songs and capturing the emotions of them. They were capturing the teen angst and heartbreak. They formed the Raindrops that became hits later. Jeff and Ellie never wrote for the drifters. THEY WROTE FOR THE GIRL GROUPS - exam question The Kind of Boy you Can't Forget (1963). They also wrote *Ike and Tina Turner's River Deep - mountain high (1966)* No. 88 US, No.3 UK (phil spector again). They discovered Neil Diamond They also collabed with Phil Spector. This was around the time Spector came on the scene.

Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman

*Remember that they wrote for The Drifters and Elvis* Doc Pomus (1925-1991) made it into the hall of fame in 1992. He was a more socially significant figure than is partner, which is why he made it in earlier. (No one loved black culture more than him - roughly Jerry Wexler) •He was paraplegic and lost the use of his legs to polio at age 7 •He was born in Williamsberg, Brooklyn. •At 16 he heard Joe Turner and decided he wanted to be a blues singer (blues shouter) •He gave himself a blues name, and sang at black clubs because he felt they were as underprivileged as he was He was a recording artist briefly - Too Much Boogie (1951) They wrote most of the hits for Ray Charles (lonely avenue, 1956) and 25 songs for Elvis after his army years (little sister, his latest flame, and viva las vegas). They wrote Hyshabye for the mystics in 1959 (number 20) They also wrote for pop crooners like Andy Williams.

ALDON music

ALDON Music (found within the Brill building) employed the majority of the songwriters covered today. By 1962, they had 18 writers, and the oldest one was 26. From 1958 to 1963 (5 years) they had over 200 Chart Hits. •Founded by Don Kirshner and Al Nevins (ALDON) •Most of the husband and wife pairings met and married from here •Gerry Goffin, Carole King, Barry Man, Cynthia Weil

The Red Scare

American society was booming so less kids had to quit school to help to take care of family. Comic books and movies were targeted for their "bad" influence on the youth. Some records were put on a list of "Bad Records" (like sixty-minute man and work with me, Annie). Some records were entirely banned in cities. Some of the big records were behind the payola scandals to make rock go away and take the business back from the indie labels who were now making money. The music ended up becoming associated with Communism (people became afraid of listening to rock so that they wouldn't be accused of being a communism). Some people believed that rock was a commie plot to turn American teens mind's into mush and that they had some subliminal messages to turn teens against their parents and government. There were so many tragedies to people in rock (elvis in the army, buddy holly dying, chuck berry in jail) so people wondered how it could be a coincidence that all these things happened in such a short time. Some thought that the gov't was plotting to bring it down. 1958 to 1963 (5 years) rock is on the ropes. It goes on, but it wasn't what it was. It was kept alive by the doo wop and stuff like that.

Fabian

An Italian-American teen idol. Fabian had to work because his father was ill and he had to take over supporting his family (the oldest brother in his family. He had Turn Me Loose (1959) - written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman.

Teen idols and Elvis Lites

At the dawn of the 60s, the major record labels wanted to exploit rock because they realized there might be staying power. Teen Idols: Rock Star wannabes and Elvis lites Girl Groups: Manufactured American darlings They found them in the Italian communities. They didn't care if they could sing, they wanted them to be handsome. This is why this era was the Shlock rock/the wilderness years. We call them Elvis lites (Fabian, Paul Anka, Frankie Avalon, Dion). They were supposed to be the substitute boyfriends to young teenage girls.

Dick Clark and Payola

Dick Clark was also indicted for American bandstand. Started as a local show and was made to be a national ABC show. It featured dancing and lip syncing to rock music. It was a sanitized form of rock and was more acceptable to audiences. He came off clean from these payola scandals (probably because of his image).

The Dixie Cups

Chapel of Love (1964, No.1) - Phil Spector Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich

The Crystals

Da Doo Ron Ron (1963) no.3. This was one of their collab songs with Spector •Quintessential song that may have inspired the name of Doo Wop •Dolores lala Brookes (lead singer) Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich

Alan Freed in Payola Scandal

Ended up getting him fired from his own radio show in 1959. In 1962 he was found guilty of commercial bribery. He was charged with tax evasion in 1964 (and was ill from alcoholism). In 1965, he died a broken man at 43 years old.

Payola

In the 60s, they realized that rock was staying and there was big money in it. Things that almost killed rock: • Payola • Red Scare Promoters and managers were responsible for creating rock in roll in an attractive consumable product. DJ Alan Freed turned it into a commodity as well. DJs were responsible for finding talent and popularizing their music. Freed (a great promoter) started in Cleveland (and was in the first round of rock n roll hall of fame inductees). He had the Moondog Coronation show at the Cleveland arena. This was the first rock concert ever held. Thousands more showed up than the venue could hold. This caused a small riot and the show was cancelled. Payola was the practice of paying radio stations (DJs and radio managers) to play music on the air. This made the mainstream media think that rock was so bad that you had to "pay" people to play it. Alan Freed was the person in the middle of the scandal, and it ended up getting him fired from his own radio show in 1959. In 1962 he was found guilty of commercial bribery. He was charged with tax evasion in 1964 (and was ill from alcoholism). In 1965, he died a broken man at 43 years old. Dick Clark was also indicted for American bandstand. Started as a local show and was made to be a national ABC show. It featured dancing and lip syncing to rock music. It was a sanitized form of rock and was more acceptable to audiences. He came off clean from these payola scandals (probably because of his image). Some stations ended up banning rock entirely because of payola.

Who wanted to be the Goffin and King of England?

John and Paul wanted to be the Goffin and King of England.

Shangri-Las

Leader of the Pack (1964, No.1). The piano session was done by Billy Joel. It has a variation of be my baby drums. It was also part of genre called Spatter Platters because they were about the early death of teenagers. *Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich*

Male Groups of Barry and Greenwhich

Manfred man: Do Wah Diddy Diddy (1964) No. 1 Tommy James and the Shondells: Hanky Panky (1966). This was originally a raindrops song. This male band was a reaction to the British invasion

The Ronettes

Phil loved very good voices. Baby I love you (1964) No.22 (also Phil Spector) •Lead singer for this band becomes Phil Spector's wife - Ronnie Bennet (Spector) The Ramones cover baby I love you in 1980. Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich

Ricky Nelson

The definitive teen idol (and Elvis lite). He was a child star on The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet from 1952-1956. He grew up on TV, and his TV parents were his real parents too. He often sang on set. He lacked stage fright. He started performing rock on the second half of the show. Poor Little Fool (1958, No.1). He was a great singer as seen by travelling man (1961, no.1) Hello Mary Lou (1961, No.9) He was a great actor (better than Elvis). He was in Rio Bravo (1959) playing the opposite of The Duke and Dino (Dean Martin and John Wayne). It was a western movie. People thought his career was waning in the 60s, but he came back in the 70s with a country rock flavor with Love Minus Zero/No Limit (1970). It was a Bob Dylan song. He was a pioneer of country rock in the late 60s and early 70s. He was booed at Madison Square Garden when he went to play his new country rock stuff because people wanted to hear his past stuff. He wrote a song about it called Garden Party (1972, No.6 pop, No. 1 AC). The people there in the audience were people like Joan Baez, John Lennon, Bob Dylan, and Chuck Berry. He changed his name to Rick Nelson in the late 60s to shake off the teen idol stuff. He suffered from drugs and alcohol. He died in a plane crash during a cocaine party that even the pilots got involved with. He never got to see his sons become huge in their band called Nelson (glam pop metal). They are the only family with No.1 hits in 3 successive generations.

Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil

The demo was a rough sketch of the song and its arrangement, and at Aldon the writers were encouraged to make these themselves, so you also had to be good at performing a little bit. Barry Mann wrote a self-referential parody about songwriters writing goofy lyrics. It was tongue in cheek: Who Put the Bomp (1961, no. 7). It was making fun of the Doowop love songs (with the doobie doos). •He was writing these songs himself (the drifters too lol) The Righteous Brothers: You've Lost that Lovin' Feelin' (1965, No. 1) - cowritten by Spector. They sang like AAs but were not. They also did You're My Soul and Inspiration (1966, No. 1). The Animals: We've gotta get out of this place (1965, No. 13 US, No.2 UK) This was popular with soldiers in nam. They also wrote for Paul Revere & The Raiders (a british invasion fighting back band): Kicks (1966, no. 4) This was an anti-drug song, but people thought that it was actually pro drugs 'cause people don't listen to the meanings of anything)

Gerry Goffin and Carole King

The only divorced couple of these songwriting groups. Will You Love Me Tomorrow (1960, no.1) - huge for the Shirelles. It was the first girl group song to make it big. It was also a social commentary song dealing with grown up issues (not just teenage love). They wrote for the Drifters (Some kind of Wonderful, up on the roof) Little Eva: *The Locomotion* (1962, no. 1) She was their baby sitter when they were younger, and they decided that she was good enough singer to have her own album. It was a 3 -time hit because Grand Funk Railroad (movie) took it to number 4 in the 80s. •Classic rock staple They wrote for both British invasions and anti-british rebuttal bands. I'm into Something Good (1964) no. 13 - Herman's Hermits The Monkees - Pleasant Valley Sunday (1967, no. 3) They also wrote for Aretha Franklin: (You Make me Feel like) A natural woman (1967, No.8) Others became songwriters after becoming performers. Carole was the opposite, and she started a performing career after her divorce from Gerry. She wrote a very influential pop album called the Carole King Tapestry that had several no. 1 songs. •Number 1 for 15 weeks •Won 4 grammys •Was on the charts for 6 years •Best selling solo album until 1982. •Songs like: It's Too Late (1970) and I feel The Earth Move (1971) The Shirelles (Will you still love me tomorrow) The Cookies (Chains) - Exam Question: Covered by the Beatles. John and Paul wanted to be the Goffin and King of England. The Chiffons: He's so Fine (1963, No. 1) The Angels: My boyfriend's back (1963) The Toys: A lover's concerto (1965, No. 2 US)

Neil Sedaka and Howie Greenfield

These two wrote for Neil himself because he was a singer. Breaking up is hard to do (1962) - No. 1 hit for Neil They also wrote for other singers: Love Will Keep Us Together - Number 1 hit for Captain and Tennille.

Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller

They were one of the first and most important songwriting teams. They started on the west coast as teenagers. They eventually moved to the Brill building. They were never recording artists, but they wrote songs for recording. They started with R&B and wrote about teenage themes. They were writing to their peers. They wrote hound dog at 19. They were creating/writing for black artists and were trying to be as ethnically accurate as possible. They wrote a ton of hits for the Coasters and Elvis loved them. They mentored a ton of the writers that came into the Brill building. They were trailblazers in the industry. Hound dog was their first big hit in 1952 (7 weeks no. 1 on R&B chart) for Big Mama Thornton. They wrote and produced many Elvis hits like his version of hound dog (1956, 11 weeks no. 1) and jailhouse rock (1957, 7 weeks no. 1) They worked with the Coasters (one of the biggest groups at this time). Songs: Searchin', Young Blood, Yakety Yak, Charlie Brown, Poison Ivy. • This was their brainchild, made as an outlet for their songs They wrote for the drifters as well: Ruby Baby and There Goes my Baby. The Clovers: Love Potion No. 9 (1959). This was a hit and it became a bigger hit with the Searchers (a British invasion band) in 1965 at No. 3. They wrote for Ben E. King after he left the drifters: Spanish Harlem (1960) no. 10. This was a collab for them with Ben E. King and Stoller. Also Stand By Me: (1961) and again in 1986. This was also co-written by Ben Wilbert Harrison - Kansas City (1959) No. 1. The Beatles did a cover of this song in 1964 which was a concert favorite.

Burt Bacharach and Hal David

They wrote a bunch of songs for pop crooners and some R&B. They were big on variety and wrote for things ranging from R&B to Jazz, rock n roll, and pop. Perry Como - Magic Moments (1958) top 10 US and no. 1 in UK for 8 weeks. This was one of the crooner songs. The Drifters: Please Stay (1961), Mexican Divorce (1961) He had major hits in all of his styles, and his consistency and longevity is why he was so important. The Shirelles: Baby It's You (1961) at No. 8. It was also covered by the Beatles in '63. Dionne Warwick: Walk on by (1964) NO. 6 in the US. She was Whitney Houston's cousin. Jackie Del Shannon: What the World Needs Now is Love (1965) no. 6 - this was a socially conscious song. (I know this one). This was in response to the Nam war. Lou Johnson: Always something there to Remind me (1964) top 40 US BJ Thomas: Raindrops Keep Galling on My Head (1969) No. 1 US. They also wrote the soundtrack to the movie this was in. Burt Bachrach ended up leaving Davis because of David's health issues. He wrote some stuff for Alice Cooper. They had the most successful decade of music making because of this partnership even as other partners were starting to see their success die out. Christopher Cross: Arthur's Theme (bets that you can do) That's What Friends are For (1985, No.1 US) became one of the biggest songs in rock when Elton John, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Wonder joined up to work on it. •All the proceeds went to AIDS research Elvis Costello and Bacharach worked together for God Give Me Strength

Songwriter commonalities

They wrote as pairs Mostly Jewish descendants (mostly Brooklyn). Jewish people were huge in rock n roll. •Something in the water? •Brill building regarded as the most prestigious place for music businesses, professionals, and especially the songwriters. Most worked at the Brill building in NYC.

Paul Anka

had some good songs and was the first idol ever. He did Diana (1957, No. 1) A lot of these boys became nostalgia acts for aging women.

Dion Dimucci

made an impact beyond teenage years. He was the lead for Dion and the Belmonts (he was the biggest Elvis lite). • I wonder why (1958) and Teenager in Love (1959, written by doc pomus and shuman) • They started Italian doo wop • They were at the winter dance party Dion split off into a solo career. He wrote runaround sue (1961, no.1) This was a big one. He also did the Wanderer (1961, no. 2). He was inducted in 1989 (4th class of inductees). He wrote socially conscious folk albums in the 70s which is why he was inducted. He still makes music today. He wrote Abraham, Martin, and John (1968, No. 4) in response to JFK's assassination.