Rock Music as a Model for Racial Integration in American Music History
Overview
This paper argues for the inclusion of rock music in music history curricula as a unique genre that transcended racial segregation. Unlike other American music genres that were segregated by race and class, rock music attracted diverse performers and audiences, serving as a cultural bridge between black and white musicians and listeners and modeling successful racial integration.
What this essay covers
- Introduction: Rock music as a genre absent from course curriculum but valuable for its role in racial integration
- Fitting Into the Broader Story of American Music: Rock's development as a genre of political and social expression without audience or artist limitations
- Changing Portrait of American Music: Historical context of segregated music consumption in the 1940s-1950s and the emergence of rock from multiple genres
- Themes Illuminated: Rock music's representation of American freedom of expression and cultural acceptance
- Artist Focus: Discussion of pioneering rock artists like Chuck Berry and their influence on cross-racial music appreciation
Preview
Rock Music
Rock music is one genre we did not talk about in class, but I would like to see it in the course. All the genres included in the course have specific performers and audiences due to racial segregation. There is no genre included that attracts diverse groups of performers and audiences. For instance, black music is rhythm and blues while whites above the middle class listen to Tin Pan Alley songs, rural listeners in the Midwest like country music related to rural life. However, under the period when segregation was never a problem, white rock music artists performed upbeat songs influenced by African American culture. This was when black artists had a tough time being successful in the music industry. Both black and white artists brought rock music to the attention of American youths. Consequently, allowing youths to fall in love with music regardless of their race showed no boundaries and division in rock music. Therefore, I would want to introduce Rock music because it creates a cultural bridge between whites and blacks. After a long segregation period and long prejudice towards Africa Americans at the last lecture as the best racial integration model.
Fitting Into the Broader Story of American Music
It primarily developed as a music genre for expression. There was no limit to the audience or the artists on delivery and acceptance. It is for this reason that it gained prominence across America. Some of the genre's issues were political and social evils.