History of Rock Ch3
Aldon Music
Across the street, founded in 1958 by Al Nevins and Don Kirshner. Preferred their writers to work in pairs. By 1962, had 18 writers w/hundreds of hits on the radio.
Pet Sounds
Brian Wilson wanted to create the "greatest rock and roll album ever." Cost 70,000 to produce. Eventually became platinum in the year 2000. "Wouldn't it be nice" Inspired Beatles to create the album, "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band"
Teen Idols
Clean-cut, wholesome singers that major labels promoted in the late 50s and early 60s to counter the success of indies R&b and R&R
Surf
Developed on the West Coast. Popularized in hollywood films, surf music in these movies was watered down, as to not offend viewers. Real music was driving, high-energy, and primarily instrumental, dominated by the electric guitar
Carole King/Gerry Goffin
Sang "Will you love me tomorrow" wrote at Aldon Music. Extremely popular song, revolutionary for its time. Most songs of the era were stories of idealistic teenage love, this song was more direct.
The Wrecking Crew
studio packed w/20 musicians at a time in Gold Star Studios.
Chubby Checker
successful strategy by producing series of novelty dance tunes. "The Twist" Dick Clark's wife was convinced his name was a play on Fats Domino.
Brian Wilson
Lead singer of The Beach Boys, deaf in one ear, preferred monaural mixes over stereo. Began using hallucinogens heavily and became reclusive after he stopped touring with the band in 1964.
Jerry Lieber/Mike Stoller
Met in LA, wrote "Hound Dog" - Big Mama Thornton. Formed Spark Records in 1954. Elvis re-recorded "Hound Dog" and the song hit #1 on all three charts. Founded another label Red Bird, which produced many of the hits from the so-called "girl groups"
The Ed Sullivan Show
1948-1971, particularly important for rock artists to gain national visibility. (Elvis, Beatles and Rolling Stones all gained huge exposure from performing on Ed's show)
Dick Dale and the Del-tones
First important surf band. 1961 (First surf hit) "Let's go Trippin'".
Dick Clark
Hosted American Bandstand from 1956-1987. Began building a music empire by investing in local record companies. Enormous influence by picking which songs were played, and how often.
Doc Pomus/Mort Shuman
In 1958, Doc Pomus teamed up w/Mort Shuman and they set up shop in the Brill Building. The two died within months of each other in 1991, Pomus = cancer, Shuman = complications of liver surgery
Brill Building Pop
New York, song writing shops that became influential to pop that the building became known as Brill Building Pop
Girl Groups
Phil Spector. Los Angelos. key girl groups (Crystals, Chiffons, Dixie Cups, Shangri-las, Ronettes) name given to young female vocal groups that emerged in early 60s. included references to boyfriends and the worthlessness of the girls' lives without them.
Payola
Practice of bribes made by major labels to DJ's to play their songs. (Alan Freed and Dick Clark involved).
Wall of Sound
Production technique developed/popularized by Phil Spector that involved large instrumental groups, liberal doses of reverb and multi-track overdubbing
Phil Spector
Promoted girl groups, founded Gold Star Studios, created the wall of sound and used the Wrecking Crew
American Bandstand
Reason for huge success for Teen Idols, constant exposure on Bandstand in 1952. Show taken over by Dick Clark from 1956-1987. Philadelphia.
The Monkees
Sang bubblegum music aimed at pre-teens. 1965, wanted to replicate the Beatles' look with American singers. Michael Nesmith, Davy Jones, Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork - The Monkees. 2 year lifespanof the TV show
Bubblegum
Short-lived strand of insipid pop. Aimed at pre-teens, produced by session players carefully crafted sing-along songs.
Dionne Warwick
Singer who Bacharach and David wrote songs for. "Walk on by"
Righteous Brothers
Soul group, endorsed by Phil Spector. They sang "You've lost that lovin' felling"
The Beach Boys
Surf band, sang about cars, girls hanging out with schoolmates and surfing. Signed to Capitol records. Brian Wilson decided to quit touring with the band in 1964. 1965, began working on the album, Pet sounds.
Burt Bacharach/Hal David
Wrote adult-oriented songs
Gold Star Studios
based in LA. Phil Spector's studio.