The dawn of rock and roll took place in the 50s of the twentieth century, as a result of the crossing of many elements of various musical and dance trends in the United States of America. The combination of syncopated rhythms, the emotionality and strength of the Rhythm'and'Blues style that had already taken root, as well as the uncomplicated "folk" melodies from rural folklore, became the necessary basis from which the musical style of rock and roll was born in the future, and then rock. n roll dance.

Rock 'n' roll began to gain popularity rapidly, broke into people's lives literally immediately upon its appearance, and in the mid-50s of the twentieth century it turned not so much into the most fashionable musical direction, ahead of all styles of that time, but actually became a form of thinking, way of life for future generations.

History of origin

In 1953, an unknown boy from Memphis, Elvis Presley, who by that time was hardly 18 years old, enters the Sun Records recording studio. There he sings two uncomplicated songs, and just a year later, the head of the studio, Sam Phillips, is interested in him. Presley is given an audition and performs "That's Allright, Mama" with two musicians. Phillips is shocked by the talent and manner of singing of the young talent, and the next morning Elvis Presley, unexpectedly for himself, becomes a big celebrity. It is generally accepted that the invasion of rock and roll began precisely from that moment ...

Rock 'n' roll is gaining popularity

And on April 12, 1954, the day when a new style of dance art appeared - rock and roll dances. After all, then Bill Haley's world hit "Rock Around The Clock" (Rock around the clock) was released, which became the soundtrack to the movie "Blackboard Jungle" (the song played in the credits of the film), which was released in US cinemas in 1995. In the film, a lot of attention was paid to dancing and movements to rock and roll music. In the very near future, the new dance style fell in love with American youth, and soon swept the minds of European peoples.

The founding father of rock 'n' roll dance, Bill Haley, managed to combine the two musical directions of Rhythm'and'Blues and country, while speeding up the pace of the game. Then, after some time, swing joined this union of music and dance art. In the 70s, the Swiss Pene Sagara brought together all the dance elements of rock and roll, and thereby founded modern rock and roll, which to this day remains popular not only among professionals, but also among amateurs and admirers. In addition, rock and roll dance eventually became not just another disco dance style, but firmly rooted as a style, entered the list of the best dance trends.

Rock and roll is taking over the world

In 1974, the European Rock and Roll Association was launched, which included almost all developed European countries (among them Germany, Italy, France, Denmark, Austria, Holland, Sweden, and Switzerland), plus Canada. And soon it was renamed the World Rock and Roll Confederation (WRRC). Later, a jazz dance federation was founded. Today, the WRRC includes more than 30 countries, and every year it hosts all kinds of tournaments, world cups, competitions such as Juniors, Youth, Formation, as well as World and European Championships.

With the rapid development of the rock and roll dance style, more and more countries began to join the Confederation. In 1991, rock and roll also reached Latvia, where the Latvian Rock and Roll Federation was organized, and at about the same time, the so-called acrobatic rock and roll was founded (there was a special club where a kind of merger was held classical dances with rock and roll acrobatics).

The basis of rock and roll

Rock and roll refers to one of the types of jive dance direction, and at the same time is classified as a style adapted for ordinary people, lovers of various dances. From English, rock and roll can be translated as "to swing" and "to ride." Since rock and roll has a fairly fast pace, it is often compared to boogie-woogie or swing, but in fact they are not the same thing at all - rock and roll has its own unique movements that cannot be found anywhere else. .

The standard characteristics for rock and roll are four-quarter (4/4) time signatures, and a tempo in the 140-180bpm range (which is pretty fast). Accompanied by rock and roll with electric guitar and piano, bass guitar and drum set also play a very important role in this direction. The main movements of the dance direction are twisting, unwinding, as well as the main move. The direction is based on active movements, and rather simple acrobatic numbers. Rock 'n' roll can be played as a couple or as a group.

YEREVAN, April 13 - News-Armenia. World Rock-n-roll Day is a celebration of like-minded people, for whom this direction has become not only music, but also a style and way of life.

The holiday is celebrated annually on April 13, although the historical event that served as the basis for it happened a day earlier: on April 12, 1954, Bill Haley (Bill Haley) recorded the single "Rock Around The Clock", which became a landmark in the new musical direction and flew around all continents, challenging society and traditions.

Before that, back in the middle of the 20th century, in the post-war period, people strove for peace and a measured life. Nobody wanted shock. A reflection of the public mood was the music of that period - calm and sentimental, with sweet-voiced vocals.

On the occasion of World Rock and Roll Day, Novosti-Armenia agency recalls seven immortal hits.

Bill Haley - "Rock Around the Clock", 1954

"RockAroundtheClock" - can be called one of the first rock and roll hits. The world's most popular hit was written by middle-aged authors Max Friedman and James Myers, and performed by 28-year-old Bill Haley, who looked little like a young man or a rebel. The single entered the Guinness Book of Records as one of the best-selling.

The song did not achieve success immediately - at first, few people were interested in it. But a year after the recording, the song sounded in one youth film and became a real hit.

Carl Perkins - "Blue Suede Shoes", 1955-1956

The song, which was once covered by Elvis Presley, was written by poor boy Carl Perkins, who was learning to play a homemade guitar made from a cigar box, mop and wire.

The song became an instant hit, however, Perkins himself did not enjoy success for a long time for a number of reasons: a car accident, a long recovery. Then Presley covered his song and the real author was gradually forgotten in the USA.

In England, Perkins was greeted with enthusiasm - it turned out that there he is remembered and loved not only by ordinary music lovers, but also by young, although already wildly popular "Beatles".

Elvis Presley - "Hound Dog", 1956

Speaking of rock and roll, the first thing that comes to mind of any person is the image of Elvis Presley. The singer's producer, Sam Phillips, believed that the image of the new music would best be expressed by a white musician with "the voice and soul of a black man." He found such a guy in a young truck driver, Elvis Presley.

Elvis himself did not write music. He was not the first performer of the song "HoundDog" - it was originally written for blues singer Big Mama Thornton, then covered by several country groups, then Freddie Belland the Bellboys performed in a rock and roll manner, and only after that the song was taken over Presley. It's funny that in all the charts this song was held in three categories: "pop", "country" and "rhythm and blues", because the rock and roll category did not yet exist.

Little Richard - "TuttiFrutti", 1955

Little Richard immodestly described himself as the founder, king and architect of rock and roll, leaving Elvis Presley in the humble role of "builder".

Little Richard was the perfect rebel - a black singer with an inimitable stage persona and a boisterous stage demeanor. He sold the song, which became a rock and roll classic, to a record label for just $50.

Jerry Lee Lewis - "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On", 1957

Jerry Lee Lewis is a unique person who can sing, play the piano and dance at the same time. His creative biography knew many falls and scandals, which does not prevent the musician from sometimes giving concerts.

The song "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" recorded by him took first place in the charts at the same time as "rhythm and blues" and "country". And this mixture is real rock and roll.

Chuck Berry - "Johnny B. Good", 1958

According to the film "Back to the Future", this song appeared due to a time loop. Marty played it at his parents' graduation party, and one of the listeners at that moment called on the phone and said to the interlocutor: "Chuck, you were looking for a new sound? Listen to this!"

This song is one of the most cheerful and provocative on a cosmic scale. Seriously, scientists even sent it out of the solar system, recording it on the Voyager Golden Record along with other samples of human culture.

The Beatles - "Rock And Roll Music", 1964

For many people in the world, rock and roll is associated with the famous Liverpool Four. The fact that in the Old World everything comes with some delay has benefited the music. And although "Rock And Roll lMusic" is a cover of a Chuck Berry song, the Beatles performed it with amazing drive and artistry.-0-

Recently, the rock band "LaScala" visited our city with an acoustic concert. In conversations about creativity and the eternal, we also talked about what lies under the concept of rock and roll, so popular abroad in the second half of the twentieth century, and then widely spread in our country, and what real rock should be like. n-roller.

This is not the first time we ask musicians this question, but no one has yet did not name ten rules, although, the LaScala group almost approached this mark and named seven.
First to the question about what is rock and roll, and whether it can exist in the modern music industry, answered band vocalist Anya Green: "It's a way of life, far from just music".
Lera Skripnik, drums:“I agree with Anya, this is a state of mind.”
Max Galstyan, guitarist: “I hate rock and roll (everyone laughs at these words)! He ruined my whole life."

Then, during the conversation musicians called what a real rock and roll player should be.

1. Lera Skripnik: "The first rule of true rock 'n' roll is no rules".

2. Anya Green: “To live for the sake of music, to adequately approach your work, to feel that you really have something to say to people.”

3. Max Galstyan: "Love what you do, do what you love".

Max Galstyan: “In fact, the topic is controversial, because I have a specific attitude to what is understood in our country by this concept.”

Anya Green: “Yes, rock and roll in our country is a little, to put it mildly, not rock and roll.”

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4. Max Galstyan: “He (rock and roll) died abroad, now it’s show business, a game, hence the following rule: Play and have fun".

5. Anya Green: “Yes, at least it sounded honest. There are certain rules that are suitable for all musical directions. For example, I believe that today musicians on stage lack the adequacy to their work.
Many young people unite in groups and play, not all of them, however, absolutely uninteresting, low-quality music. It's wrong when people get up in the morning, put on a tie, take a briefcase and go to the office, and in the evening, having overpaid, they position themselves as rock and roll players, hence the rule: No honesty no rock and roll».

6. Max Galstyan: “For some reason, this culture is “mowed down” in our country and the concept of rock and roll and high-quality music are confused. In fact, these are different things.Rock and roll is self-sacrifice».

7. Max Galstyan: “A professional can play in any tavern. Rock and roll may not know "two chords", but it will be rock and roll. Cobain was an outstanding guitarist? Sid Vicious, although he was partly a project, but he was real. And it was served exactly as it was. But he took it all seriously, apparently, and died early. It doesn’t mean that you have to die at 27 or not live to be 40 to be a rock and roll player. You just have to look for new forms, while remaining real.

Rock and roll is danced by presidents and janitors, young and not so young, owners of mansions and those who are penniless. This is a dance for everyone who loves life.

History of occurrencedance

April 12, 1954 is considered to be the birthday of this super popular dance. It was on this day that a film was released on the screens of cinemas in the United States, in which a dancing couple “twisted and spun” to the tune of the song “Rock Around the Clock”. The dance was so popular with the public that it spread throughout the American states with the speed of an epidemic. Then rock and roll "captured" Europe.

Of course, rock and roll dance and the musical direction under the same name are inextricably linked. First, there was new, slightly shocking music. And then a dance was “designed” to the dynamic melodies of rock and roll. The designer of rock and roll was singer Bill Haley. He took yes and mixed two musical styles - country and rhythm and blues and slightly accelerated the pace. After that, the "parent" conjured over the mixture for a long time, and finally found the missing ingredient - swing.

To propagandize the new direction was then entrusted to a completely unknown truck driver - Elvis Presley. Which he did, and with resounding success.

What is rock and roll?

Actually, dance rock and roll is one of the forms of jive, adapted for the broad masses of dance lovers. Complex acrobatic elements are simplified, and all these dynamic movements, twists and turns during the transitions of partners and turns can be performed on a small “patch” or even leaving the place. Rock and roll can be danced in pairs and groups. But the classic version, of course, is a pair dance - a partner and a partner.

Rock and roll has three components: the main move, twisting and unwinding. The main move is very similar to jive and is easy to learn, while the other two elements can be performed beautifully only by experienced dancers.

Kindsdance

Rock and roll can be presented in two forms. The first - disco version - is available to everyone, performed at dance parties and does not require special training. More difficult to perform is acrobatic rock and roll.

Acrobatic rock and roll

Rock and roll in its classic version, the so-called pure rock and roll, after its appearance very quickly became extremely popular. For lovers of this incendiary dance, starting from the 60s, competitions and competitions were organized and held one after another. In an effort to win, the participants tried to include more and more difficult tricks in their performance, thereby gradually complicating the dance.

In the early 70s, the Swiss choreographer René Sagarra, being impressed by competitive battles, created a new dance - sports rock and roll. He retained the essence of the dance - cheerful recklessness and dashing, but subordinated the dance steps to a strict plan. Choreographers found the new version of the dance very organic, and since then rock and roll has become an official sport dance.

Since 1977, rock and roll has been performing as an independent sport. Dance elements are so tightly intertwined with acrobatic stunts, all kinds of somersaults, flights and complex lifts that the question is - is this a sport or an art? - remains unanswered.

• Category "A" - the most difficult program, which contains very complex acrobatic elements, lifts and tricks
• Category "B" - medium complexity program
• Category "C" - a program that does not include any dizzying tricks, but is presented with graceful and simple pirouettes and lifts.

In acrobatic rock and roll, World and European Championships are regularly held, however, only in categories "A" and "B". And the World Federation of Acrobatic Rock and Roll includes 40 national federations.

Features of rock and roll

Time signature 4/4

Fast or very fast pace

Hello friends! Remember the catchphrase "live fast, die young?" most commonly applied to rock stars? In my opinion, very capaciously describes what can be called a real rock and roll life, with its drugs, sex and drive. The image of Jimm Morrison immediately pops up, eternally young, outrageous and infinitely talented, for whom games with death were one of the main leitmotifs of life.

The example is very bright, but extremely doubtful to follow. For in the eyes of the townsfolk, it is precisely such self-defeating outrageousness that is often the main meaning of rock and roll life. But I want to go deeper and outline a certain trend, for which the primary factor is inner freedom. And which I was guided by for several years with a not too conscious choice of professions, companions and, most importantly, the very way of life.

The rock and roll lifestyle itself began in the roaring 60s, when, thanks to the active actions of the hippies, inner freedom suddenly began to be cultivated especially brightly. Although for me, hippies are nothing more than a decoration. For similar outbursts of cultural revolutions have happened before (remember the Renaissance, for example?) and are happening in exactly the same way to this day.

Hippie

At that time, the main carriers of such ideas were musicians, for whom art and rock music suddenly became the mouthpiece of their active life position. And, it seems to me, if jazzmen had come on stage with songs of protest and riot, today we would call these principles jazz.

All such manifestations can be reduced to a confrontation with the old philistine orders, whose rotten morality has become so obvious that it has begun to boil. Rock and roll has become a surgeon's scalpel, which methodically and easily plucked these abscesses. Of course, the authorities did not like such a declaration of freedom, because it greatly undermined faith in the “father of the Tsar”, thanks to which military campaigns, such as the Vietnamese, acquired an extremely negative connotation.

Interest in spiritual heritage

Rock musicians became idols and symbols of the era. John Lennon, paired with Yoko Ono, kissed naked under the cameras of TV reporters, demonstrating in practice the principle of "make love, not war." A good demonstrative performance, taken by conservative townsfolk clearly with hostility. But progressive youth were delighted. Love, sex, freedom and openness. From there, the beginning of Western people's passion for Eastern mysticism. It was at that time that all kinds of spiritual teachers were actively pouring from Asia to Europe and America, making the sexual revolution a revolution of the spirit.

It was necessary to give a worthy answer to the bourgeois values ​​of capital and hoarding.

Of course, not all teachers had good intentions. Many quasi-gurus were looking in the West for a new market for their philosophical problems. Nevertheless, the cultural process was launched and the old "fast-living" drug addicts suddenly began to rise under the banner of the Eastern knowledge systems.

One of the halls of the Beatles ashram

For example, the Beatles... Although the old alkonauts Ringo and Paul were not impressed by such spirituality, the other two (especially Harrison) began to meditate actively and even spent several months in Rishikesh with the Maharishi. The latter, by the way, soon after a series of scandals, safely moved to Holland, where he organized a new ashram and again discredited himself with some rumors. Of course, all this is just the other side of popularization, but the world has not been the same.

How great it all started: idealism in action, love as the main driving force, no war, etc. etc. Time passed, the hippie movement waned, and new idols began to appear, but the principles remained, albeit under a different sauce.

How rock 'n' roll influenced me

All these stories really got me hooked. I remember how I boasted of my musical tastes in the distant 16-17 years. But even then, the idols of the 60s were of great importance to me: I grew my hair, put on bell-bottoms, and after 2-3 years of being infatuated with Tsoi, I suddenly began to listen to King Crimson, Pink Floyd and Metallica. For some reason, then it seemed to me that this taste turns my blood blue :)

By the way, I also did music.

Even the choice of specialty was made out of some kind of internal rebellion. Like, while everyone is going to be an economist, I will deliberately become an engineer! Moreover, there were quite a lot of informal young people in our Energy Institute, which especially pleased my hairy head. And despite my current skepticism towards higher education, I have absolutely no regrets about the wonderful student years.

There was more to come, and rock and roll as a principle of "returning to yourself" again jumped into rebellion. This time already against home petty-bourgeois cosiness. I started . And I got to the point where I realized that my favorite pastime is to travel and discover new facets of myself.

It seems to be a maximalist rebellion... But it is so bright and beautiful that I made it my main tool with great feeling. And I realized that the most important thing in life for me is to be honest with myself!

Being alive is a craft

This simple and childish sincerity is probably my most important rock and roll principle. Like a wild Jagger who, in his old age, climbed some kind of ramp during a concert, broke loose and broke his arm. After such news, I realized that these people cannot be taken alive!

And yes, the very term “rock and roll principles” is completely spontaneous, I don’t put any special connection with music into it, although I mean that the drive of hard rock should somehow affect the general mood of life: honestly, openly, a little charismatic and childlike directly. I still carry with me for the sake of drive

That's all, friends! The article turned out to be very personal with some historical discourse. And if it seems inspiring to you, please share it on social networks. Stay in touch and don't waste your time on trifles!