It’s challenging to precisely define what Rock and Roll music is, or where it really began, but Rock and Roll is when guitar playing as we now know it started.
Elvis Presley should be given some of the credit for it, with his hips swinging and the raunchiness of his songs, even though he didn’t actually play guitar very well at the time. He did, however, initiate the trend of screaming females at his shows; it was all about sex, really, and that’s how it got the name Rock & Roll.
The origins of Rock & Roll date back to the late 1940s and were influenced by blues and gospel music, as well as big band swing, rhythm and blues, and country guitar music.
Some of the artists of the time, including Elvis Presley with “That’s Alright Mama” and Bill Haley’s “Rock Around The Clock,” featured the piano as the primary instrument in the band. That changed when Chuck Berry arrived with songs like “Johnny B. Goode” and its iconic guitar riff, which we still hear today.
I had the pleasure of seeing Chuck Berry perform live in Leicester, England; he was 64 years old at the time, but still rocking and putting on a great show.
England’s answer to Elvis Presley was Cliff Richard and the Shadows (essentially an electric guitar How to Buy a Guitar - The guitar is known for its dynamic and unique sound, making it a popular instrument in various genres of music. Whether you're a beginner or someone with a growing passion for guitar playing, here are some top tips for buying a guitar: Seek out advice. Start by seeking guidance from someone you know who has… band) with “Living Doll.” Unfortunately, Cliff didn’t make it big in America, but he continues to perform successfully in England at the age of 80 and has just released his latest album.
In the early 1960s, we saw the beginning of what was to be called “The Swinging 60s” or sometimes “The Golden Age of Rock and Roll.” The biggest band was The Beatles, who, when they played, couldn’t even hear themselves due to the screaming females and poor P.A. systems.
The Beatles were the first British artists to make it big in the U.S.A.; they were unique in that they wrote most of the songs they performed. In fact, they changed music and the rules of the music we hear today.
They also wrote “I Wanna Be Your Man,” which became the first hit record for the Rolling Stones, who also made it in the United States and still perform sellout concerts to this day. So there is hope for us all yet.
In the late 1960s to early 1970s, we had the Glam Rock and psychedelic era, featuring bands like Jefferson Airplane, T Rex, Mud, and Wizard, as well as Jimi Hendrix and David Bowie. The style of guitar playing became more aggressive with a shift into Hard Rock and Heavy Metal, giving rise to bands like AC/DC, Aerosmith, and Led Zeppelin.
I believe that Rock and Roll music will continue to exist in some form or another for a long time, and people will still be influenced by it, purchasing records and learning how to play guitar, whichever style of music they choose to play, as it is all interconnected.
It is clear that Rock and Roll guitar evolved as a blend of Blues, Country Guitar music, Swing, and Rhythm and blues.
Manuel Marino is a seasoned Senior Producer, Music Composer, and Artist with over a decade of experience. He specializes in branded entertainment across various mediums, including video games, films, and advertising campaigns. With 20+ years as a game music composer, Manuel has worked on numerous platforms, creating diverse orchestral soundtracks. HIRE ME