Carolann Fisher-Linn
“Rock ‘n roll is here to stay, it will never die – It was meant to be that way, though I don’t know why, I don’t care what people say, Rock ‘n roll is here to stay.” Somehow, Danny and the Juniors must have had access to a crystal ball in January 1958 when this song first came out. Otherwise, how could they have predicted that 74 years later, we would still be celebrating this iconic music?
I’m going to tell you a little bit about the modern birth of rock n’ roll and then I’m going to invite you to play a little rock ‘n roll game with me to test your knowledge of this enduring genre.
Britannica gives us this: “Rock and roll has been described as a merger of country music and rhythm and blues … The seeds of the music had been in place for decades, but they flowered in the mid-1950s when nourished by a volatile mix of Black culture and white spending power.” Black vocal groups like the Dominoes started combining their standard gospel-style with rhythm and blues moves. Along came a couple of DJs who, in essence, created rock-and-roll radio, playing rocking rhythm-and-blues all the while introducing (and luring) white suburban teens to music that almost seemed illicit and thrilling. By 1954, the sound tempted the ear of a young white Tennessean, Elvis Presley, who sounded a bit like a Black man. Not only did he have a black sound, but he also had the smooth moves that accompanied many of their songs. (Picture The Four Tops or The Temptations doing their smooth synchronized moves in suits and ties.) Although not a suit guy, Elvis first performed in simple checked blazers, printed short sleeve collar shirts, slacks, and a killer pair of loafers. All classic pieces that you can still wear today—even if you don’t style them as Elvis would. He later graduated into those jumpsuits and capes. And then there was the hair! Here’s a tidbit you might not know unless you’ve seen his early portrait in the entrance hall at Graceland (I have!): Elvis was naturally a dark blonde-haired guy. As a performer, he dyed his hair black because he thought it brought out his facial features and the intensity of those baby blues of his, and, of course, he was right!
I promised you a game about R&R music: You might know of, or remember the original version of a show called ‘Name That Tune’. The trick was to be the first to name a tune based on the music played by the resident band. Since we can’t play you tunes, I can give you a few sentences of a song and you see if you can sing some lines and name the artist. Here ya go!
1) “In the twilight glow I see her (title here) When we kissed goodbye and parted, I knew we’d never meet again.”
2) “… Well, I said come on over baby We got chicken in the corner Come on over baby Really got the bull by the horn …”
3) “I saw the light on the night that I passed by her window, I saw the flickering shadows of love on her blind, She was my woman – As she deceived me, I watched and went out of my mind… My, my, my…” (title here).
4) “If anyone should ever write my life story, For whatever reason there might be, Oh, you’ll be there between each line of pain and glory Cause”… (title here).
5) “I’m so young and you’re so old, This, my darling, I’ve been told, I don’t care just what they say, ‘Cause forever I will pray, You and I will be as free, As the birds up in the trees …”
Enjoy your mini-singalong and the weekend. Remember, you’re as young as you feel. Step back in time and do the twist! (But watch your back!!!)
PS: Per national survey and my own survey among family and friends: Top R&R band ever is The Beatles. Top R&R performer is Elvis. If you don’t believe Rock and Roll is timeless, listen to the powerful timely lyrics of “Man in the Mirror” by Michael Jackson.
Answers: 1) Blue Eyes Crying In the Rain – Elvis or Willie Nelson; 2) Whole Lot of Shakin’ Goin’ on – Jerry Lee Lewis; 3) Delilah – Tom Jones; 4) You’re the Best Thing that ever Happened to Me – Gladys Knight and the Pips; 5) Diana – Paul Anka.