Rock and Roll music grew out of rhythm and blues, gospel, jazz, country, and western swing music in the late 1940s and early 1950s. There are two parts to this rock and roll lesson. The first focuses on American bands; the second on British bands.

Here is a compilation of 50s Rock classics:

(Note: I really like the history and real footage of this video. If you are going to watch it with young children, however, review it yourself first. There are a couple of references and one quick bad word that will probably go over their heads, but you make the choice.)

Bill Haley and His Comets: His song “Rock Around the Clock” is possibly the first song which was wide-spread to be considered “rock and roll.” It was released in 1954:

Elvis Presley: Elvis is rock’s first superstar. He lived from 1935-1977. He played guitar as a child and moved from Mississippi to Memphis, Tennessee. Elvis sang gospel music at his church. His early style was called Rockabilly. Listen to “Hound Dog” (1956):

and “Love Me Tender” (1956):

“I was very lucky. The people were looking for something different and I came along just in time.” –Elvis Presley

Here are some other influential early rock and roll singers:

Little Richard: “Tutti Frutti” (1955):

and “Good Golly Miss Molly” (1958):

Buddy Holly: “That'll Be The Day":

and “Peggy Sue” (1957):

Chuck Berry: “Johnny B. Goode” (1958):

Jerry Lee Lewis: “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On” (1957):

“Great Balls of Fire” (1957):

Other popular early rock songs were “The Great Pretender” (1955):

and “Yakety Yak” (1958):

Everly Brothers: “Wake Up Little Susie” (1957):

“Bye Bye Love” (1957):

Ray Charles: “Hit the Road Jack” (1960):

and “Georgia on My Mind” (1960):

The Tokens: “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” (1961):

The Beach Boys: “Surfer Girl” (1963) modern performance:

and “Wouldn’t it be Nice?” (1966):

Bo Diddley: (1965):

“Names of it can vary, but music that is inspiring to the head and heart, to dance by and cause you to pat your foot, it’s there. Call it rock, call it jazz, call it what you may. If it makes you move, or moves you or grooves you, it’ll be here.” –Chuck Berry

Next, let's look at British rock and roll.

The Beatles were one of the most influential popular music groups of the 20th century. The “Fab Four” were John Lennon (1940-1980), Paul McCartney (1942- ), George Harrison (1943-2001), and Ringo Starr (1940- ). They recorded and toured from 1960-1970. Their influence on music and society included techniques in the recording studio as well as how to dress and wear your hair. They grew in popularity in England and Europe and then, in 1964, had an extremely successful tour in the United States. This began a wildly popular movement, known now as the British Invasion, where English bands became very successful in the United States.

The British Invasion includes the following:

Rolling Stones: “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction”:

The Yardbirds: “Happenings Ten Year’s Time Ago”:

The Who: (rock opera Tommy)

The Kinks

Dusty Springfield

The Dave Clark Five: “Glad All Over”

Peter and Gordon: “A World Without Love”

The Animals: “House of the Rising Sun”

Manfred Mann: “Do Wah Diddy Diddy”

Petula Clark: “Downtown”

Freddie and the Dreamers: “I’m Telling You Now”

Herman’s Hermits: “Mrs. Brown You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter”

The Troggs: “Wild Thing”:

Donovan: “Sunshine Superman”

The Beatles had the top five singles on the Billboard Pop Chart in 1964. Some of their most popular albums were Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) and Abbey Road (1969).

Listen to these platinum hits: “I Wanna Hold Your Hand”:

“Yesterday”:

“Strawberry Fields Forever”:

and “Hey Jude”:

“Pop music is the classical music of now.” –Paul McCartney (1976)