Chapter 14: Rock and Roll Pt. 2
Chapter 14 traces how rockabilly grew out of the rock and roll movement of the 1950s by combining country, rhythm and blues, gospel, and boogie-woogie into a new Southern style centered on small bands and electric guitar. Artists connected to Sun Records, including Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, and others, expanded the genre through their songwriting, performances, and recording techniques while helping rock and roll reach a national audience.
Important Terms
Rockabilly – An early rock and roll style that combined country music, rhythm and blues, gospel, and boogie-woogie.
Slapback Echo – A short tape-delay effect that creates a quick echo and became a defining feature of Sun Records recordings.
16-Bar Form – A song structure using sixteen-measure phrases, often found in country and pop music.
Double Stop – A guitar technique in which two notes are played at the same time.
Syncopation – Placing rhythmic emphasis on weak beats or unexpected parts of the measure.
Glissando – A continuous slide between musical notes.
Boom-Chicka-Boom – Johnny Cash's rhythmic guitar style that alternates bass notes with percussive strums.
Rockabilly Trio – A small ensemble usually consisting of guitar, bass, and vocals, with little or no percussion.
Rockabilly Hiccup – A vocal ornament using brief sounds such as "uh" or "ah" for rhythmic emphasis.
Tremolo Picking – A guitar technique using rapid repeated picking on a single note.
Concept Album – An album whose songs are connected by a common story or subject.
Rock Band Format – A group built around lead guitar, rhythm guitar, bass, and drums.
Lead Guitar – The guitar part responsible for melodies, riffs, and solos.
Rhythm Guitar – The guitar part that provides chords and rhythmic support.
Rockabilly – A style centered on small ensembles, strong rhythms, and the blending of country and rhythm and blues traditions.
Son Jarocho – A traditional musical style from Veracruz, Mexico, combining Spanish, African, and Indigenous influences.
Huapango – A traditional Mexican musical style associated with the state of Veracruz.
Jarana – A small Mexican string instrument used in son jarocho ensembles.
Requinto Jarocho – A small string instrument used to play melodies in son jarocho music.
Arpa Jarocha – A wooden harp used in traditional son jarocho ensembles.
Payola – The illegal practice of accepting payment or gifts in exchange for radio airplay without disclosure.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) – U.S. government agency that regulates radio and television broadcasting.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) – U.S. government agency responsible for investigating unfair business practices.
Cover Version – A new recording of a song previously recorded by another artist.
Crossover Hit – A song that becomes successful on multiple music charts and reaches different audiences.
Artists Discussed
Carl Perkins – Rockabilly guitarist and songwriter who wrote "Blue Suede Shoes."
Elvis Presley – Rock and roll and rockabilly singer whose early Sun Records recordings helped popularize the genre.
Jerry Lee Lewis – Rockabilly pianist known for energetic performances and piano-driven rock and roll.
Johnny Cash – Country and rockabilly singer known for blending country, gospel, folk, and rock and roll.
Sam Phillips – Founder of Sun Records who signed Johnny Cash.
The Everly Brothers – Duo known for close vocal harmonies that influenced later rock groups.
Roy Orbison – Rock and roll singer known for dramatic ballads and powerful vocals.
Eddie Cochran – Rockabilly guitarist and singer known for innovative recording techniques.
Wanda Jackson – Known as the "Queen of Rockabilly."
Jo Ann Campbell – Female rock and roll singer promoted by Alan Freed.
Lorrie Collins – Rockabilly singer and member of the Collins Kids.
Connie Francis (Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero) – Pop singer who recorded early rock and roll songs.
Alan Freed – Disc jockey who promoted Jo Ann Campbell and early rock and roll.
LaVern Baker – Rhythm and blues singer who crossed into the pop charts.
Sarah Vaughan – Jazz and pop singer who achieved crossover success.
Brenda Lee (Brenda Mae Tarpley) – Rockabilly and pop singer known as "Little Miss Dynamite."
Buddy Holly (Charles Hardin Holley) – Rockabilly singer-songwriter and guitarist whose band format influenced later rock groups.
The Crickets – Buddy Holly's band.
Ritchie Valens (Richard Steven Valenzuela) – Rock and roll singer who introduced Mexican musical traditions into rock.
Marty Robbins – Country singer who recorded "El Paso."
The Champs – Instrumental rock group that recorded "Tequila."
Dick Clark – Television host who featured Ritchie Valens.
J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson – Singer who died with Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens in the 1959 plane crash.
Songs Referenced
"Blue Suede Shoes" – Carl Perkins
"Crazy Arms" – Jerry Lee Lewis
"Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" – Jerry Lee Lewis
"Great Balls of Fire" – Jerry Lee Lewis
"You Win Again" – Hank Williams
"Breathless" – Jerry Lee Lewis
"High School Confidential" – Jerry Lee Lewis
"Hey Porter" – Johnny Cash
"Cry! Cry! Cry!" – Johnny Cash
"Folsom Prison Blues" – Johnny Cash
"I Walk the Line" – Johnny Cash
"Don't Take Your Guns to Town" – Johnny Cash
"Ring of Fire" – Johnny Cash
"A Boy Named Sue" – Johnny Cash
"Man in Black" – Johnny Cash
"Hurt" – Nine Inch Nails (covered by Johnny Cash)
"Bye Bye Love" – The Everly Brothers
"Wake Up Little Susie" – The Everly Brothers
"All I Have to Do Is Dream" – The Everly Brothers
"Only the Lonely" – Roy Orbison
"Crying" – Roy Orbison
"In Dreams" – Roy Orbison
"Running Scared" – Roy Orbison
"Oh, Pretty Woman" – Roy Orbison
"Summertime Blues" – Eddie Cochran
"C'mon Everybody" – Eddie Cochran
"Somethin' Else" – Eddie Cochran
"Twenty Flight Rock" – Eddie Cochran
"Let's Have a Party" – Wanda Jackson
"Fujiyama Mama" – Wanda Jackson
"Who's Sorry Now?" – Connie Francis
"Stupid Cupid" – Connie Francis
"Lipstick on Your Collar" – Connie Francis
"Wait a Minute" – Jo Ann Campbell
"You're Driving Me Mad" – Jo Ann Campbell
"Heartbeat" – The Collins Kids
"Mercy" – The Collins Kids
"Mr. Lee" – The Bobbettes
"Sweet Nothin's" – Brenda Lee
"Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" – Brenda Lee
"I'm Sorry" – Brenda Lee
"That'll Be the Day" – Buddy Holly and the Crickets
"Maybe Baby" – Buddy Holly and the Crickets
"Not Fade Away" – Buddy Holly and the Crickets
"Oh Boy!" – Buddy Holly and the Crickets
"Peggy Sue" – Buddy Holly and the Crickets
"Words of Love" – Buddy Holly
"El Paso" – Marty Robbins
"Tequila" – The Champs
"Come On, Let's Go" – Ritchie Valens
"Donna" – Ritchie Valens
"La Bamba" – Traditional Mexican folk song (adapted by Ritchie Valens)
"Twist and Shout" – Originally written by Bert Berns and Phil Medley (mentioned for its chord progression)
"American Pie" – Don McLean