Rock Test 3

Bruce Springsteen - "Born to Run"

"The Boss" from Freehold, NJ Signed by John Hammond to Columbia First 2 albums sucked, so fan base grew steadily Artists don't get as many chances nowadays Rooted in 60s idealism & music, unlike other 80s stars Legendary live performances Didn't let Reagan use "Born in the USA" for campaign Lyrics about working class hopes and frustrations E Street Band Signature horn section sound (R&B influence) This album released in 1975, pop stardom arrived after

80s Benefits

1985 "We are the World" benefit for USA for Africa Band Aid and Live Aid - both organized by Bob Geldof (of Boomtown Rats) for famine relief in Africa Paul Simon's Graceland album and Artists United Against Apartheid (run by Little Steven) raised awareness about South African apartheid Nothing to this scale today

Stevie Wonder "Superstition"

Big success as a teen on Motown In 1971, renegotiated his contract w/ Motown at age 21 Gained complete creative control His greatest artistic achievements came in this intial period of autonomy Clavinet- keyboard which plays the famous hook in this song This Song is from Talking Book album

Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine "Rhythm is Gonna Get You"

Born in Havana, grew up in Miami Fused Latin & pop Miami Sound Machine started as wedding band and Latino fanbase first Emilio Estefan - keyboardist/husband/creative leader Predated 90s Latin pop explosion by a decade

The Clash - "Train in Vain (Stand by Me)"

British Punk Band Involved with social causes like Rock Against Racism More musical sophistication than some punk bands Reggae & rockabilly influence Great songwriting From classic London Calling album Joe Strummer, Vocals/Guitar

MTV

Cable television arrived late 70s-early 80s in most American homes Music Television launged Aug. 1, 1981 First video: "Video Killed the Radio Star" by the Buggles Targeted young audience and initially played very few black artists, until MJ By the end of the 80s, temporarily replaced radio as most important trendsetter in rock and pop music Emphasis on the visual changed the music business forever

"Disco Sucks"

Catchphrase for many rock fans Rock radio stations encouraged people to burn disco records Immediate backlash was reaction to monotonous music, homophobic, and popularity Consider this argument: all music deserves to be judged according to its own context and function Disco was very successful in its function

The Cars - "Just What I Needed"

Combined punk, new wave, pop Ric Ocasek, singer/guitarist/creative leader Most commercially successful of the late 70s-early 80s New Wave bands Made music videos which became MTV staples

Bee Gees - "Stayin Alive"

Comeback hit marked 2nd phase of their career Used to be 60s blue-eyed soul group From 1977 film "Saturday Night Fever" double LP soundtrack Travolta's film Biggest selling album ever until Thriller Helped bring disco to middle America Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb, Maurice Gibb Barry Gibb - super successful producer all over the charts

The Ramones - "I Wanna Be Sedated"

Considered by many to be the first punk rock band All band members took the last name Ramone Modeled look after 50s greasers like Gene Vincent (black leather jackets, t-shirts, jeans) Fast, short, raw, catchy and energetic songs Listen for one-note guitar solo (she thinks it's one of the greatest guitar solos in rock music history)

Talking Heads - "Burning Down the House"

David Byrne, vocals Part of avant-garde CBGB's scene One of earliest New Wave bands First 4 albums produced by Brian Eno (formerly of Roxy Music) Experimentation with electronic sounds & technology, incl. keyboards _________ - name of keyboardist

What is CCM?

Developed out of Jesus Movement and sixties rock and roll tradition Commercialized worship music: rock music + religious lyrics Controversial! Rock tradition carries associations of promiscuity and rebellion, while using Biblical text to glorify God Influences: drums, electric guitar, bass, dancing Pentecostal worship - a lot of open engagement and openness in how one is praising God Similar worship experience and behavior Crossover in Christian practice Relationship between CCM worship and Black Pentecostal worship CCM is a CASH COW Significant aspect of young Christian worship experience It's controversial Fosters an ecumenical Christian experience Defining CCM is actually hard to do

How Do you Define Christian Music?

Does rock instrumentation + lyrics that glorify God = Music?

Milli Vanilli - "Girl You Know It's True"

Duo combined hip-hop and Euro dance styles Song sold 7 million copies in US alone Rob & Fab were models who lip synced to tracks recorded by studio musicians First artists ever stripped of a Grammy Scapegoats for a technique that was common **Does it matter whether the musician whose image is on recording?** There are all sorts of cover ups and recording tools to make musicians sound better Pre-recorded tracks are ubiquitous at live gigs and some artists suck

Groupies

Examples of women being degraded or sexually liberated? Both sides criticized their behavior One side said they were sluts Other side said there was clear power dynamic of rockers' authority domestic angle bc they would cook and clean too Groupies became famous in their own right in this era GTOs (girls together outrageously) Recorded an album with Frank Zappa Pamela De Barres, most famous and then became author Plaster Casters

Peter Frampton - "Do You Feel Like We Do"

Formerly in british band Humble Pie Special effect for this song: talk box Guitar sound goes through tube into your mouth instead of pedal One of the biggest arena stars of 70s Frampton Comes Alive double album was biggest-selling live album ever at the time Got backlash from fans for being too frilly one time

Michael Jackson "Billie Jean"

From Album Thriller Biggest-selling album of all time Produced by Quincy Jones Breakthrough video production Use of drum machines, synthesizers Arguable the most successful and influential entertainer of all time- worldwide influence, first truly international pop star Changed the music business as major labels try to replicate his success, looking for broadest possible appeal

Alice Cooper - "School's Out"

From Detroit One of the first to deliberately shock people Influenced the really dark, horrific side of hard rock bands Theatrics included guillotine, snakes, chickens, baby dolls Signed to first record deal w/ Frank Zappa Frontman is actually named Vincent, AC is the band name

David Bowie - "Fame"

From Young Americans album his first #1 hit in US Co-written with John Lennon and Carlos Alomar Quintessential glam artist, but varied career including acting Ziggy Stardust - androgynous alter ego influenced by Japanese Kabuki and avant-garde theater Not new concept but most mainstream artist to do so

Southern Rock

Fused loud country rock with blues & soul Returned rock to southern R&B roots Outlaw-style southern pride resonated with post-Civil Rights era Combined the long hair and style of rock with the pride of being southern Part of "new South" movement including election of Georgian Jimmy Carter Important artists: Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top, Marshall Tucker Band, Charlie Daniels

Glam bands

Hard rock emphasizing visual spectacle/theatrical side Advocated sexual freedom, androgynous stage persona, sometimes bisexuality No interest in sociopolitical issues Main artists: David Bowie, Alice Cooper, KISS Wide range in artists but had same intent of physical entertainment

7. Rock is no longer the counterculture - it is the culture.

How and when did this shift take place, from marginalized subculture to mainstream juggernaut? Is their statement true? Would it be more accurate to say that pop and hip-hop are "the" culture today? Examples of rock in the mainstream culture - sporting events, TV ads, video games, etc.? What, if anything, is the music of the "counterculture" today? Book says it's socially accepted, so not counterculture anymore It's everywhere - TV, movies, sports, merchandising All age groups and classes Counterargument Some artists are still too out there for everyone Lots of conceptual artists? hard to do bc there aren't genres that are especially taboo nowadays

5. Not all music is art; most of it is simply product.

How can you tell the difference between music which is art and music which is product? Who makes this determination? Why does this distinction between art and product matter? What do the authors say about "artistic freedom" and rock music? They make a very interesting point here. What is the function of music which is "product"? At what point did rock musicians start believing that their work could be "art"? Classical music is supposedly the benchmark of this Vanilla version artists are example "Product" music - label thrown out at artists all the time Rap music today is example (See: 21 Savage, Lil Yachty etc.) Public stance on this can change over time Book says artistic freedom isn't necessary for good art i.e. Bach had to work on schedule for church but still considered high art Interpret artistic freedom however you want (political pressures, financial constraints to experiment, Labels and corporate interest, fans want same type of music Counterargument: A lot of artists did try to make statements and be conceptual -Beatles, Brian Wilson Some music is different purpose entirely i.e. punk and Bob Dylan were protesting

Music and tech in the 1980s

In early 80s, Americans began buying VCRs and video games in large numbers Portable cassette players and boom boxes gained popularity New synthesizer, drum loop technology changed the sound of pop music CDs introduced Originally a windfall for the music business as music fans repurchased their vinyl collections Introduced digital audio to consumers

KISS - "Rock and Roll All Nite"

Influenced by New York Dolls Highly influential over the top live shows - ego ramps, fake blood, flying Members Paul Stanley - vocals/guitar Gene Simmons - Bass Ace Frehley - guitar Peter Criss - drums Stanley was leader but Simmons is figurehead and marketing genius Marketed to young kids not just high school Rock as theater/entertainment not art

Elvis Costello - "Alison"

Initially signed by Stiff Record during a time where independent record labels were beginning to rise Pictured here with his band The Attractions Helped usher in New Wave (punk attitude with more musical sophistication, cleaner image) Brilliant songwriting Costello has had a long and diverse career

Allman Brothers - "Statesboro Blues"

Inlfuenced by jazz and blues, improv was key to their sound Slide guitar genius Duane died 1971 motorcycle accident and Oakley died same way 1972 Members: Berry Oakley - bass/vocals Greg Allman - vocals/organ Duane Allman - guitar Dickey Betts - guitar/vocals Butch Trucks - drums Jaimoe - drums Toured every year until recently Live album At the Fillmore East is a classic 12 bar blues form

The Sex Pistols - "God Save the Queen"

Insert band members here First major British punk band Represented working-class anger at dismal economic conditions Violent live shows sometimes included Sid's self-mutilation Influenced by Iggy & The Stooges, Ramones Put together by clothing store owner Malcolm McLaren Essentially held auditions in the newspaper and the band members showed up that's how they got together Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols is their one album This song's release coincided with the Queen's Silver Jubilee celebration Lol the song was banned and they ended up getting on a boat and sailing close to the Queen's flotilla and playing it and then they got arrested Malcolm interested in the idea of social change through disruption

4. "My album may be #1, but I'm not commercial!"

Is the anti-commercial stance that was taken by many alternative rockers in decades past still relevant today? How have attitudes toward commercial success changed over the decades? Why do certain musicians blatantly chase commercial success while others chafe at the idea? (Elvis Presley, your average contemporary rapper, and plenty of other musicians throughout history would never have claimed that they didn't want to make money, while Kurt Cobain was deeply troubled by Nirvana's mainstream success. Why?) How do attitudes towards commercial success change over different styles of music? When artists act like common man, but that exact stance gets them fame and money Words and actions aren't jiving Rolling Stones and Sex Pistols can be examples Counter examples Elvis, Motown artists who were marketed by Berry Gordy to white audiences Relate to today and how artists can't afford this stance anymore Not enough money in industry, so they have to be more commercial

Reggae

Jamaican musicians in 60s influenced by Black Power movement in US Stems from more uptempo Jamaican genre "ska" Rastafarian religion is at the core So marijuana is closely associated too Reggae & ska inspired many punk & new wave musicians Jamaican dub mixes were important part of early hip hop

Jackson Five - "ABC"

Last great act from Motown Michael became lead at age 6 First group to have first 4 singles hit #1 Giant crossover success (all races) - and even had Saturday morning cartoon Part of popularity is Motown reputation and Berry Gordy's savvy

Fleetwood Mac - "Go Your Own Way"

Late 60s version of band featured Peter Green as guitarist before Buckingham Evolved into polished rock/pop band from British blues group Phenomenal artistic and commercial success (Rumors is a best-selling album of all time) Members: Mick Fleetwood-drums John McVie-bass Christine McVie-keys/vocals Divorced in the 1970s Stevie Nicks-vocals Lindsey Buckingham-guitar/vocals Lots of incest/drama

Lou Reed - "Walk on the Wild Side" PUNK

Leader of Velvet Underground w/ John Cale Seminal punk band inspired by Beat poets Part of Andy Warhol's Factory scene Long, diverse career as soloist From 1973 album "Transformer" Doo wop influence David Bowie production His first pop hit Reflects interest in subjects not found in pop (addicts, transvestites etc) Not punk sound but punk point of view

Disco

Named after discotheques - venue where the music was played (unique) Began in underground scene in NYC (Latino, black and gay clubs) Experience is DJ/dance oriented, typically no bands onstage Studio 54 was the most famous of the 70s clubs Foundation for Euro-dance, techno, rave, and EDM movements Many people say we are in another disco are now

Nashville's other Cash Cow

Nashville is not only the center of country music, but also Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) CCM is a rapidly growing genre "Jesus Music" gained popularity among the baby boomer generation Resulted in an explosive music and entertainment industry

The Go-Go's "We Got the Beat"

Next gen girl group, but played their own instruments One of the first successful all-female bands not controlled by male managers and producers Fused New Wave & pop (late 70s Cali punk scene) Lead Belinda Carlisle had solo career Success in England first

6. The audience for rock is getting both older and younger.

On the surface of things, this seems like a very self-evident thing to say, but think about demographic shifts of audience members during rock & roll's 50-odd years of existence, from baby boomers to Gen X & Millenials. How has each subsequent generation of rock music fans helped to shape the music? How has rock music shaped generations of fans? How has the trend of both older and younger rock fans shaped the economics of rock music (think teen pop stars & "dinosaur" touring acts)? Older people and younger people listen to it Younger audiences are more aware of music now bc of ways to disseminate music Internet, digital music Differentiation of genres makes this statement iffy Are fans of Britney Spears really a rock audience? Older generation grew up with rock too, so most living people today are exposed to it and enjoy it to a certain degree

Punk Rock

Originated in NYC's Bowery district Literary-minded, avant-garde musicians like Patti Smith & Richard Hell helped define the sound, look, & aesthetic CBGB's - club at the center of the scene - watched a video about it An aesthetic as much as a musical style Rebellion against virtually all previous styles of rock music, but especially "corporate rock" Rebellion against society/belief in anarchy DIY attitude Ripped clothing signaled rejection of rock star clothes/attitude Minimalistic, aggressive, angry musical style Belief that anyone should be able to play; virtuosity was unimportant First time you see a distinct other generation besides baby boomers coming into the rock music scene

The PMRC Hearings

Parental Music Resource Center was a group of Senators wives let by Tipper Gore Believed that the music industry should submit to a rating system for content of recordings 1985 Senate hearings included testimony by Frank Zappa, Dee Snider (of Twisted Sister) and John Denver, who argued that musicians' 1st amendment (free speech) rights were being violated

Functions of CCM

Participatory role of music Fosters relationship with God Shared experience and collective identity Ecumenical experience Combines aspects of sacred and secular identity

Catholic Church

Represents the Roman Catholic Church's response to threats of rising Protestantism Vatican II council (1962-1965) allows for adoption of vernacular worship styles such as acoustic guitar because so many young people were leaving Catholicism (big deal for the Church!) Use of popular music to appeal to young adults

Mainstream music in 70s

Rock radio formatting catered to specific demographics (oldies, Album oriented Rock, R&B, Top 40, easy listening) Top 40 starting to play on FM radio Consolidation of power in recording industry Big business Arena tours Multi-platinum sales Non music-oriented corporations buying record companies to make bank Punk rockers rebelled against what they perceived as bloated, stale, bland music

Pink Floyd "Another Brick in the Wall, Part II"

Roots in the 60s London blues rock scene (name taken from 2 bluesmen) Moved into psychdelia and progressive rock styles Experimented with electronic sounds, concept albums The Wall was #1 in late 79 and early 80 Creative leader syd Barrett left the band in 1968 was replaced by David Gilmour Rick Wright-keyboards, Syd Barrett-Guitar/vocals, Roger waters-Bass/vocals, Nick Mason- drums

Lynyrd Skynyrd - "Sweet Home Alabama"

Signature 3-guitar sound Blues inlfuence Detailed, composed parts for instrumentalists and no improv Song was response to Neil Young hating on south in a song 1977 plane crash killed Van Zandt, Gaines + his sister Cassie Members: Leon Wilkeson-bass Allen Collins-guitar Artimus Pyle-drums Gary Rossington-guitar Steve Gaines-guitar Ronnie Van Zandt-vocals Billy Powell-piano Like Allmans in the types of instruments but more structured and followed exactly what they would record But more traditional southern crowd (a.k.a. rednecks) Rossington is only original member still Live shows were key to career

Bob Marley & the Wailers - "I Shot the Sheriff"

Signed to Island Records in 1972 First Jamaican reggae band with int'l success Wrote songs about spirituality and Jamaican poverty Listen for piano playing "offbeats" - typical reggae sound The Wailers still tour (Peter Tosh & Bunny Wailer were in original band)

Sly & The Family Stone "Everday People"

Sly Stone-Leader First major rock band to be integrated both racially & gender-wise From San Francisco, combined funk, psychedelic rock Larry Graham-innovative bassist, basically invented slap and bump? technique Stone, Graham, and stone's sister Rosie all sang lead vocals This song from album Stand! went to #1

Aerosmith - "Walk This Way"

Song from 1975 Toys in the Attic album Greatest american rock band according to many Influenced by Stones, Yardbirds, R&B Song re-recorded in 1986 by Run DMC and became a hit again Members Steven Tyler - vocals 1st "Gender bending" frontman Joe Perry - guitar (main guy) Tom Hamilton - Bass Joey Kramer - drums Brad Whitford - guitar Perry and Tyler had strong duo They're life buddies so know for test question

Needtobreathe

Southern Rock band from S. Carolina Play in both secular and sacred environments from The Fish to Lighting 100 Talk shows, Christian festivals: Night of Joy, Ichthus

Marvin Gaye "What's Going On"

Successful R&B career in the 60s on Motown Duets with Tammi Terrell are especially notable This 1971 song & album mark an artistic departure Gaye produced himself Concept album organized around central character who is returning from Nam Took on subjects like war and poverty that were typically avoided by Motown Berry Gordy initially didn't want to release it Marvin Gaye would sing lead and then harmonize with himself

3. Good is bad, and bad is good.

The authors argue that "the inversion of traditional evaluative criteria" has led to rock music's devolution in terms of musical sophistication and complexity. Is this an accurate portrayal of the affect that anti-hero bands like the Rolling Stones (or early blues musicians or later punk & garage rockers) had on the history of rock music? What, if any, artistic value lies in unsophisticated, loud, simple rock & roll? Or is artistic value beside the point? How about cultural impact? Or visceral impact, for that matter? The authors write, "Fortunate is the listener who can enjoy Emerson, Lake, and Palmer or Blood, Sweat, and Tears and appreciate their musical complexities, and then fully enjoy Little Richard or the Rolling Stones, while recognizing their music as being pure and simple fun"... Please think critically about the assertion that Little Richard & the Rolling Stones' music is "pure and simple fun"! Different types of "good is bad" Morally good, vocally good, instrumentally good, linguistically good (swearing) "Real" rock is supposed to be shitty music and rock stars shouldn't be great at playing instruments Example: Bass player of the Sex Pistols Real rock involves not caring about anything Who cares about high art, rock is an outlet Not supposed to be easy on the ears Could argue either side Jimi Hendrix is a counter example (talented guitarist but also brash and loud)

8. Music, including rock & roll, affects behavior.

The authors point out a double-standard they see in the writings of rock critics, arguing that these critics (who are also fans of the music) are quick to give credit to rock music when it plays a role in positive social change (e.g., during the civil rights era), but then refuse to acknowledge that rock music with a negative message might also bear responsibility for negative social change. This is a pretty interesting point - what do you make of it? Examples of rock music affecting behavior, negatively or positively? Disco - literally meant to affect dancing Call to action to make people make political stances Movie Soundtracks - i.e. horror movies Certain artists alter egos consumed them Bowie was obsessed with Ziggy Stardust Counterargument Behavior affects music i.e. White supremacists choose to listen to Sex Pistols; Sex Pistols didn't make them white supremacists

2. What were vices are now habits.

The principle of "one-upmanship": do the authors overstate the case that rock musicians are ever louder, lewder and more rebellious, or is this a real phenomenon in rock history? Are artists under pressure to behave more and more outrageously? Where does this pressure come from? Does the prurient interest in rock and roll "vice" obscure the issue? What about the pressure that teen pop stars are under to be "good"? Or the pressure that women are under to look a certain way? They say "the thinking person must be concerned". Are you concerned? The Who - smashing guitars was shocking, but now that's a normalized thing Thinking person may or may not be concerned (she just wants a well-formed argument Certain artists don't try to be crazy though like Carole King Hendrix was like this Pressures for attention and fans get to the artists' head Famous artists are under extra pressure to maintain their fame Britney Spears fell apart to this

Donna Summer - "Last Dance"

The queen of disco began as gospel singer Begins as ballad, breaks into classic disco "Four on the floor" kick drum pattern (all 4 beats in each measure played) Elaborate string and horn arrangements

Prince "Darling Nikki"

This song from classic Purple Rain album Brilliant performer (guitarist, singer, dancer, keyboardist, drummer, etc.) Sexually suggestive songs/performance MTV staple in 80s Subject of much controversy and targeted by PMRC

1. Rock & roll may be here to stay, but individual artists and styles are not.

To what degree is this statement true? Examples of artists and styles with staying power? Examples of fleeting trends? Why do some artists and styles have staying power, while others do not? Examples of styles which come back around decades later and/or continue to influence rock musicians? What is the role of nostalgia/retro in musical trends? How would you update their comments about Michael Jackson, in light of his death? What about intentionally disposable music and the people/industry that creates it, vs. artists who are trying to make lasting art? Talk about fleeting trends in music - like rockabilly isn't a thing anymore Splintering and converging genres change sounds over time Bands don't stay together very long (Beatles, Sex Pistols) Certain artists stay relevant for a long time, but their style and music will still change Argue that they're basically a different artist Members will also come and go David Bowie used to look crazy as Ziggy Stardust but then calmed down Fashion statements are temporary Disco was never meant to be timeless music Counterargument Rolling Stones have stayed similar for a long ass time

Madonna "Like a Virgin"

Trendsetter for 80s dance music (outgrowth of 70s disco and R&B) This song was her first #1 song and album Like Jackson, exploited new video medium Brilliant control of her image Particularly "good girl" vs. "bad girl" dichotomy demonstrated here Pastiche style throughout career

70s excess

Unprecedented money generated by rockstars Rock becomes big business Extravagant touring/lifestyles - jets, limos, entourages, drugs Industry and tech were catching up - merchandising, marketing, sound systems KISS capitalized a lot on merchandising So band like Beatles wouldn't be drowned out by crazy tweens Shows more theatrical, stage production more elaborate Before MTV, so live shows were key More freewheeling bc less security, less structure

Elton John "Tiny Dancer"

Versatile and prolific songwriter, incl. Musicals This song is from 1971 album Madman Across the Water Listen for the lengthy buildup to chorus Collaborates with Bernie taupin, lyric writer One of the first major pop stars to come out in 1976- remains advocate for LGBT causes

Moshing in the name of Jesus

War of Ages: hardcore Christian music Metalcore band from Erie, PA

The Controversy - tension surrounds the use of CCM in churches

Younger generation has strongly adopted CCM Appeals to the popular tastes of a younger generation Transforms religious experience Older generations are NOT happy "My Grandparents call it the Boom Boom Room"