World Rock and Roll Day,
There is such a holiday in the world, celebrated on April 13

Hidden behind the calendar date an entire era, created by multi-layered cultural layers, and most importantly by people for whom rock and roll has become a way of life.

Incendiary drive, dancing couples, sometimes performing literally acrobatic performances. Rock and roll became more than just a new music movement. It was a new lifestyle. A challenge to society and traditions.

Rock and roll is characterized by a simple melody built on haunting guitar riffs - a jazz technique of African origin, based on the continuous and repeated repetition of a short, monotonous, easy-to-remember phrase with accents on the 2nd and 4th beats of the bar. In the middle of the 20th century, on official musical Olympus The USA was dominated by orchestral music with sweet and sentimental vocals. It was a well-calibrated commercial project designed to protect white culture from the wild culture of blacks and create a respectable image of a respectable American. Along with official music in America, there was a completely different one - loud, rhythmic, full of life - rhythm and blues. One evening, Cleveland radio disc jockey Alan Freed took it upon himself to play rhythm and blues records on the air. And in order not to shock the unprepared public, he came up with another name for it - “rock and roll”, literally meaning “swing and spin.” Thus, thanks to Alan Freed, disguised rhythm and blues sounded in full force, becoming accessible to everyone, regardless of skin color. Alan Freed called himself Mr. Rock and Roll and seriously began to popularize this music, broadcasting it on the radio and organizing concerts. In the press, on television, in educational institutions started real war with rock and roll as harmful to younger generation phenomenon. But it was useless to “treat” young people, especially new music

The first rock and roll star among white performers was singer-guitarist Bill Haley; he agreed that the name rock and roll was invented by Alan Freed, but he considered the sound and style to be his own invention. He simply mixed rhythm and blues and country, added street slang and got a killer brew. Real success came in 1955 with the song “Rock around the clock” for the film “Blackboard Jungle”. The song instantly became a hit not only in America, but also in England. We must not forget about Elvis Presley (the king of rock and roll), who became the god of American youth, removed generational contradictions, and the handsome man’s glamorous shows convinced adults that rock and roll was no uglier than the Charleston of the older generation. About Roy Orbison (you simply could not help but hear his “Pretty woman”), Jerry Lee Lewis (who introduced an instrument uncharacteristic for this style - the piano) and Buddy Holly.

Even a certain style appeared - rockabilly (around 1954-56 - a surge in the popularity of Elvis Presley), pop culture lost its innocence: teenage girls had already learned to run away from home at night, dance rock and roll and boogie-woogie, kiss under the moon and shed tears on Elvis Presley posters. This time was naive and touching: there were still 15 years left before the famous “summer of love”, the emergence of psychedelic drugs and psychedelic rock. Everyone danced rock and roll - from the delivery boy to the Queen of England. Newspapers reported in detail how Elizabeth II danced rock and roll with great enthusiasm with Lord Dorchester. In September 1957, rock and roll was played during a church service in Manchester. Another definite and clear date is 1964, the conventional birthday of a new style in rock and roll - pop rock. The famous Fab Four, thanks to their simple and memorable compositions, infected the whole world with the epidemic of “Beatlemania”. The antipodes of the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, also appeared in 1964. Their fast and powerful sound has become technical and more pleasant to perceive. In the 70s, psychedelic rock appeared and its prominent representatives American band « Pink Floyd" and British "Led Zeppelin", " Deep Purple", "Black Sabbath". The 70s are considered the golden era in the development of rock culture. Group performances are gradually starting to go beyond musical frames . The first attempts at theatrical accompaniment appear - decorative and lighting design, stage costumes musical revolution. The rockers seemed to remember why all this was started and gave birth to punk rock (“crappy rock”). Simplification of the musical scheme led to the promotion of vocals to the leading position. Bold and poignant lyrics were built on anarchism, criticism of politics, government and the wealthy. At the rear of punk rock were groups such as the Sex Pistols, The Clash, the Stooges and Iggy Pop. Appeared in the 80s female rock, the 90s creativity of groups is a problem of comics or computer games. The only rock and roller in the pragmatic 90s was Kurt Cobain and his band Nirvana.

In the USSR, rock began to be played in the early 80s, the most famous groups this direction were Zoo, Bravo.

At the same time, in the 90s, acrobatic rock and roll appeared (the federation appeared in Russia in 1992) - on the one hand, exciting, dynamic kind of sport, on the other hand, a sparkling, temperamental dance. On the one hand, you need to be a well-rounded athlete, strong and risk-taking, have perfect skills as a gymnast, an acrobat, master the art of lifts, and not complain about lack of strength, otherwise you won’t catch your partner, or you’ll let your partner down. On the other hand, you need to be at home in the world of beauty, sensitively capture the style and character musical accompaniment and skillfully convey it with the nuances of movement, be distinguished by grace and technical performance, be an elegant gentleman or a charming partner. Acrobatic rock and roll is in demand among children and youth - after a few years, frail, weak, clumsy teenagers grow into boys and girls with enviable posture, strong muscles, endurance, lightness, and coordination.

September 1, 1995 The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame opened in Cleveland on the shores of Lake Erie. To the sounds of the national - it is not customary to say state - anthem, performed in a recording by the martyr of rock culture Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon's widow Yoko Ono and Godfather

Rock Little Richard cut the red ribbon. The orchestra blasted “Respect” and a ten-meter figure of Elvis Presley was raised into the sky. Before rising on the shores of Lake Erie, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame dates back to 1983. in the dreams of two people - Ahmet Ertegun, owner of Atlantic Records, and Jenn Wenner, publisher of the magazine Rolling Stones " They were later joined by Seymour Stein, president of Electra Entertainment. This triumvirate, this union of the practice of rock and its theory, algebra - money and harmony - the press, at first had modest plans - to buy in the brownstone mansion (made of dark red brick) and turn it into a museum-archive of rock. At the same time, it was decided to establish a symbolic Palace of Glory of the Eye and annually count among its saints the most outstanding musicians and singers who have stood the test of time - performing on the stage for at least 25 years. For this purpose, a special fund was formed.

Beginning in 1986, the foundation began to hold ceremonies for the induction of “immortal” rock idols.

American cities have crossed their checkbooks, vying for the right to become the site of the Palace of Rock Fame. Cleveland emerged the winner of this jousting tournament, spending $65 million on the barrel. J. Voinovich, governor of Ohio at that time: “The Palace of Rock and Roll Fame promises to be an economic catalyst that will give us an international dimension and attract a flow of tourists from all over the world. California and Florida have Disneyland, Nevada has Las Vegas. Ohio will have a Rock Fame Palace." According to preliminary estimates, it was expected that the Palace of Glory would be visited by about million people , bringing the city about one hundred million dollars in revenue. The palace was erected by I.M. Pei, the patriarch of American architecture. Pei gave modernism, as a radical ferment of social change, a certain reflection of a “polished” individualized and liberalized existence in glass and metal, brick and marble. The architecture of the palace breathes youthful energy. He is saturated with it geometric shapes

- triangle, cylinder, rectangular box, trapezoid over the lake. “This is not just youth music. This is the music of youth,” the wise old man Pei said about his brainchild.
The palace nests at the very top of the tower, which can be reached via a dizzying double spiral staircase. The Hall of Fame is a giant black glass box. The names of the laureates, members of the fatal “Academy of Immortals” are engraved on the glass, video monitors with photographs of rock stars light up and go out. The palace symbolizes the immortal glory of rock and roll.

"The Beat goes on!"

Literature: 1. Batalina-Korneva E. History of jazz, rock and pop music: Optional course program

[Text] / E. Batalina-Korneva // Art at school. - N 3. - From 45 - 50. 2. Ilyukhina V. Both dance and sport

[Text] / V. Ilyukhina // Studio Antre. - 2005. - N 6. - P. 20-21. 3. Lozinskaya A. Rock and roll around the clock

[Text] / A. Lozinskaya // Thing. - 2002. - N 7. - P. 10-11.[Text] // Around the world. - 2004. - N 7. - P. 131.

5. Transition N. Rock music yesterday and today[Text] / N. Transition // Art at school - 2002. - N 5. - P. 37-43.

6. Happy Birthday Rock and Roll[Text] // TV Park. - 2004. - N 30. - P. 56-59

7. Sturua M. Temple of Rocca on the shores of Lake Erie[Text] / M. Sturua // Youth. - 1996. - N 2. - P. 26-35.

8. Chizhova I. A. Interaction cultural traditions modern times[Text] / I. A. Chizhova // Music and time. - 2007. - N 7. - pp. 11-14.

Rock and roll is the embodiment of free, incendiary music that fills with crazy drive. Having exploded the measured 50s with its appearance, it has long been considered classical genre and is not inferior to other directions in terms of popularity and strength of love from fans.

World Rock and Roll Day is never officially recognized by the UN General Assembly. But this does not at all prevent fans of the genre from celebrating the next anniversary on April 13. Some of them will begin to celebrate on April 12, as disputes over the day of the birth of rock and roll have not yet subsided.

All the confusion about the dates stems from the first recorded rock and roll masterpiece, a chart-topper (“Rock Around the Clock”). There is a version that the composition that turned the world of music upside down American musician Bill Haley recorded late on April 12 (1954). According to other sources, this happened late at night, i.e. the 13th.

Passing a year musical composition B. Haley became an accompaniment to the shocking film “School Jungle”. The picture, exposing the rebellious behavior of youth, became the pedestal from which rock and roll began its victorious march across the planet.

New music easily overcame racial prejudices: even the most famous politicians at that time they could not boast of this. Combining an irrepressible mixture of country and popular rhythm and blues, rock and roll melodies, full of lively energy, erased all boundaries and overcome all barriers in people's lives.

And today rock and roll continues to gather like-minded people. Every year on the day of its celebration, nightclubs and entertainment venues around the world hold incendiary parties in rock and roll style.

Stage areas of many major cities become a place where themed concerts are held. On them you can hear both outstanding compositions of past years and new items in the genre. Sounds from the speakers famous works Elvis Presley and Bill Haley, unforgettable compositions by the groups “Nautilus Pompilius”, “Kino”, “Brigade S”, “Alice”.

The celebration is often international in nature. You won’t surprise anyone with a performance on this day somewhere, for example, in California musical group, who flew in from Japan. In the same way, for example, Krasnoyarsk can become a stage for performers from Africa or Indonesia.

It is noteworthy that, despite the gathering of a huge number of admirers near the stages, there are practically no conflicts. This is explained by the fact that the quintessence of rock and roll is freedom and love, which positively influence people regardless of age, nationality, or race. And it doesn’t matter at all what day this holiday will be celebrated. The main thing is that there is an opportunity to live for some time in the extraordinary and amazing rhythm of this music...

Every year, on April 13, World Rock-n-roll Day is celebrated all over the world. This is a celebration of like-minded people for whom rock and roll has become not only music, but a style and way of life. It is celebrated annually on April 13, although historical event, which served as the basis for the holiday, happened the day before.

On April 12, 1954, Bill Haley recorded the single "Rock Around The Clock". It became so popular that the new musical direction captured not only the United States, but also all countries and continents.

Video: Youtube\33Evenstar

Rock and roll is a challenge to society and traditions, it is an explosion of emotions. It appeared in the mid-20th century, at a time when, after the end of World War II, people began to strive for peace and a measured life. It was not customary to listen to something aggressive or emotional; the music of that period was as calm and sentimental as possible, with sweet-voiced vocals. On official level there was an idea that everything provocative was a savage black culture from which the respectable image of a respectable American needed to be protected.

Back in 1947, American journalist Jerry Wexler, while preparing a black music chart for the American Billboard magazine, decided to replace the negatively connoted name of the hit parade “Racial Records” with the “rhythm and blues” he invented. This name stuck so well that on June 17, 1949, Billboard magazine recognized it as official, renaming the hit parade “Rhythm and Blues Records.”

The legendary “King” Elvis Presley is considered one of the founders of this trend. His style of clothing, manners and movements became an example to follow for an entire generation.

In the early 1960s there appeared a new style in rock and roll - pop rock. The Fab Four launched an epidemic of “Beatlemania” into the world with their compositions. In 1964 " Rolling Stones", distinguished by a fast, powerful and technical sound. At the end of the 60s, hard rock appeared on the scene, the prominent representatives of which were the groups "Deep Purple", "Led Zeppelin", "Black Sabbath". This decade is considered the golden era in the development of rock -cultures.

1978, The group "Rainbow" and its hit "Long Live Rock-n-roll", video: bobdaisleyv

By the end of the seventies, punk rock appeared with its simplified musical scheme, powerful drums and extremely strong lyrics. This revolutionary music began to sound criticism of the government, politics, upper strata society. The most prominent representatives of punk are the Sex Pistols, The Clash, Stooges, Iggy Pop.

In the 1980s, female rock appeared and such popular groups like Blondie and The Pretenders.

And in the practical 1990s, the brightest rock and roller was Kurt Cobain and his band Nirvana.

Today there are countless trends in rock music - from casual, playful romanticism to dark, deep philosophy. And it continues to change.

Let us remind you that yesterday the whole world celebrated Cosmonautics Day. Minister, which the whole world celebrates on April 12, on some other day, because it is “Soviet”.

And Easter will be celebrated this weekend. 8 million parishioners will participate.

On April 13, music lovers around the world celebrate World Rock and Roll Day - a popular musical direction, which can be called the quintessence of American style.

History and features of rock and roll

The musical style of rock and roll originated in the 40s and 50s of the 20th century as a result of the mixing of the music of African Americans and the white population of the United States in the southern states. Rock and roll arose on the basis of the rhythm and blues and country genres, also absorbed some features of gospel, boogie-woogie and jazz and became independent, unique and very popular style – genre of popular music .

At first, rock and roll did not have a name; many Americans did not even want to recognize it, considering it a kind of black rhythm and blues. The term rock and roll was coined by popular Cleveland DJ Alan Freed. The word comes from the dictionary of seafarers: translated from in English rock- swing and roll- roll. This is the name given to the movements of a ship when it goes to sea. Later, the phrase changed its meaning more than once until it came in handy for a new musical style.

Personification American rock and roll – famous king Elvis Presley, who had a huge influence on American and world music. But besides him, there were many more in the USA famous performers, rock-n-roll singers– Big Joe Turner, Bill Haley, Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis and others.

World Rock and Roll Day

On April 12, 1954, Bill Haley recorded single(single), which became very popular: Rock Around The Clock. These lines were instantly remembered and repeated by all fans modern music:

We're gonna rock, rock, rock, 'till broad daylight, We're gonna rock around the clock tonight...

We'll rock all day long, we'll rock all day long.

Later music critics rated this composition as a point of reference for mature rock and roll. This is not the very first, not the most famous and not the most popular recording, but it is the one that has become a legend. It was called the anthem of youth - an anthem for rebellious 1950s youth . This composition made rock and roll popular - mainstream .

It is thanks to the single “ Rock Around The Clock» a holiday appeared - World Rock and Roll Day or Rock-n-roll Day. The next day after recording, April 13, was chosen for this holiday.

On April 13, rock and roll fans remember not only and not so much famous rock bands Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Pink Floyd, and those who stood at the origins of this musical direction - Bill Haley, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly and Elvis Presley.

If you love rock and roll, be sure to use music in learning English: rock songs have wonderful, lively, modern English in a conversational style.

Who celebrates World Rock and Roll Day and when?
The Russian Internet is replete with signs: “To the Birthday of Rock and Roll! Concert at club X in city N,” or “Today in the House of Culture *** World Music Freedom Day is celebrated - Rock and Roll Day!” Someone celebrates April 12 because it was on April 12, 1954 that a historical event took place: Bill Haley recorded the landmark single " Rock Around The Clock" Some people think that World Rock and Roll Day should be celebrated a day later. True, those who insist on the date April 13 find it difficult to explain what so memorable happened on that day. And in the far abroad, it seems, few people have heard about this holiday.

So maybe World Rock and Roll Day is a purely Russian invention?
Well, even if this is so, the “music of freedom” deserves to have its fiery rhythms sounded once again on a bright spring day.

Teenage rebellion in the USA: we have wealth, we want freedom!
- A nightmare! How can THIS even be recorded on records? You heard? And they call THIS music!
- Yes, yes, I completely agree with you. But children listen to THIS all day long. I don’t even know where to escape from these sounds.
In the late 1940s, such or similar conversations could be heard in almost every decent American home. The adults were at a loss: it seemed to them that their children had simply gone crazy.

It is perhaps worth clarifying that such speeches took place in white American families. Their grown children, some secretly from their parents and some openly, began to communicate with their dark-skinned peers from the “black” neighborhoods. Well-mannered and in all respects positive boys and girls have become - oh, horror! – use slang expressions and strong words. Their manners became cheeky, they began to dress simply provocatively, and this wild “jungle music”... Well, what do they need? What are they missing?

And in fact, what did they, prosperous and well-fed, living in a prosperous country, lack?
Perhaps, young Americans were burdened by the need to follow the path laid out for them by adults. Everything that was extremely valuable in the eyes of the older generation - stability, order, strict moral principles, accumulated cultural achievements - all this was perceived by young people as something outdated, imposed from the outside, and therefore absolutely alien. I wanted freedom!

It’s a paradox, but in their quest for freedom and independence, white youth took as a model the music, style of behavior and even the manner of dressing of Americans of African descent, that is, those members of society who have real civil rights and there were much fewer freedoms than the white “rebels.” As a result, the “blacks-versus-whites” confrontation traditional for America in the 50s turned into a “teenagers-versus-adults” confrontation.

Such a different rock and roll: Bill Haley and The Platters
The generational conflict was very convincingly shown by American filmmakers in the acclaimed 1955 film “ School jungle" As musical arrangement the painting used the composition " Rock Around The Clock» performed Bill Haley and his band Comets. The artistic merits of the film itself may have left much to be desired, but the plot was practically taken from life. The film was a huge success in both the American and European box office. Song " Rock Around The Clock”, which in 1954 (the first of the rock and roll compositions!) rose to the top of the charts, in 1955 entered the Guinness Book of Records as the sales record holder.

Meanwhile, many researchers consider the first real rock and roll composition “ Rocket 88" performed by the same Bill Haley. This single was recorded by Bill in 1951, so we can safely say that rock and roll has a significant anniversary in 2011 - it turns exactly sixty years old.

“Black music”, “jungle music” - this is how respectable gentlemen disparagingly called the energetic, rhythmic and very loud music, to which their children performed acrobatic tricks on the dance floors. However, even in this unfamiliar and untrustworthy African-American music, a gold nugget was suddenly found. Group The Platters, consisting of five talented black vocalists (four men and one girl), performed music that both black and white, young and old were ready to listen to without exaggeration. around the clock", that is, around the clock. The Platters worked in the doo-wop genre, which is considered to be a type of slow vocal rock and roll. The song by Buck Rahm and Andy Random " Only You (And You Alone) "The musicians sang for the first time in 1955. The soulful, perfectly harmonious sound of these marvelous voices still caresses the ear and captivates hearts to this day. Perhaps, to overcome racial prejudices, creativity The Platters meant much more than the activities of many politicians.

What exactly does “rock-and-roll” mean?
Really, what is “rock-and-roll”?
Oh, this could best be told by the man who is called the very first star of rock and roll, although he did not sing or play, and was generally hard of hearing. This man's name is Alan Freed.

It was Alan who coined the term " rock-and-roll”, and came up with it specifically in order to be able to popularize the music of African Americans.
Alan worked as a disc jockey at a Cleveland radio station. He, like many lovers of modern music, liked the sound of black blues bands. But “racial” music was not allowed to be broadcast on white programs. To get around this unspoken prohibition, Fried began to use the neutral term “rock and roll” instead of the phrase “rhythm and blues.” And he managed to achieve his goal! A new music program started in 1951; Along with old songs, it featured new ones that organically combined the features of “black” rhythm and blues, “white” country and some other genres. As a result, the phrase “rock and roll” began to be called just such new compositions.

The term Alan found turned out to be successful and ambiguous.
Once upon a time, sailors used the words “ rock and roll» Sea motion. Later, in black slang, the words “rock” and “roll” acquired sexual connotations, and it was with this connotation that they were often used in rhythm and blues songs. And both words meant dance moves. Of course, Alan insisted that “his” rock and roll was simply the name of a new dance and a new genre of music for everyone: both whites and blacks.

How did you react to the emergence of a new music program radio listeners?
The youth were delighted. But the adults (white, of course) protested furiously. Later, when Alan Freed began organizing the first rock concerts, conservative moralists tried to ban them too, since both white and black teenagers sat side by side at the concerts. Moreover, the musicians were mostly “black”. And you won’t understand what they sang about in their slang English, it’s only clear that listening to all this is terribly harmful for children!

Near the dance floors in the “black” areas of the city, real pickets of parents of white boys and girls lined up - they tried to wean their children away from rock and roll. Needless to say, all these measures turned out to be useless!

Architect Richard and King Elvis
The more temperamental and active the musicians behaved on the stage, the more warmly they were received by the youth audience - and the sharper the reaction from adult citizens. Naturally, this was not only the case in Cleveland. Wherever, for example, one of the most passionate rock and roll musicians performs Little Richard(he called himself the “architect of rock and roll”), the public was divided into two camps: some were captivated by the musician’s temperament and artistry, while others were disgusted by him. It seemed that only the need to extract sounds from the piano kept Little in place, otherwise he would have excitedly rushed all over the stage!

During the performance of his super hit " Long Tall Sally"(recorded in 1956) Little plays the piano, sometimes turning his back to it, sometimes throwing his leg over the top of the instrument. However, the skill of the black pianist is such that he plays equally freely in any position, and at the same time manages to sing, charging both his fellow musicians on stage and the audience with his energy.

For fans, rock and roll was an outlet, a symbol of freedom, and for businessmen it was a very profitable business. Show business is serious, gentlemen. Teenagers are ready to shell out any money for the opportunity to attend a concert of their idol, for an autograph, for a souvenir with his portrait, or whatever - for one piece of glitter from his suit! But where do teenagers get their money, gentlemen? Of course, this is no secret: from parents. What is needed for parents to be willing to pay this money? Naturally, it is necessary that parents at least not faint from the hobbies of their own children. It’s better if parents start sharing these hobbies!

Rock and roll had to be made more “manual” and controlled. It was necessary to find performers who could win the sympathy of not only teenage but also adult audiences.

No sooner said than done. The search began for white performers with a “positive” image. How many one-day recordings were made! How many seemingly promising young men “broke down”, unable to withstand nervous overload!

But in the end, quite decent young people were found, ready to sing what was ordered and as indicated. They managed to reconcile the adult audience with the newfangled sound. As a rule, these musicians performed cover versions of rock and roll compositions by “black” authors. They somewhat smoothed out the sharp harmonies and corrected the text. Often this smoothed-out version was even more commercially successful than the original version.

But there was still no leader, bright, charismatic - there wasn’t until he came to show business Elvis Presley.

Former truck driver, self-taught musician, having gone through “school” in recording studio Sam Phillips and the “universities” under the leadership of his personal manager Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis Presley in a matter of months acquired both the title of the King of Rock and Roll and the status of a universal sex symbol. The sounds of his voice made the girls tremble, but the boys were not at all jealous - no, they carefully copied his hairstyle, his gaze and lip movements.

He turned out to be an excellently trained King, but still not sufficiently controlled. While performing on stage, Elvis made such movements with his hips that he drove television camera operators and editors to blush. entertainment programs. Since it was impossible to wean him from these “indecent” movements, a compromise decision was made: to show Presley on TV only from the top of his head to his waist. Below is taboo. Fortunately, this ban did not apply to cinema, and in the famous dance scene from the film " Jailhouse Rock"("Prison Rock") Elvis demonstrated all his abilities: vocal, dancing, and acting.

Chuck, King of the Electric Guitar

The electric guitar is the basis of the “new sound” for which rock and roll has become famous. The simplest electrical amplifiers for acoustic guitars were invented back in the 30s. But real electric guitars, with a specific “metal” sound and the ability to reproduce sound effects, appeared only in the late 40s and early 50s. In the fifties, few people still confidently mastered the full range of capabilities of this new instrument, and among this small number of musicians, the first was, of course, Chuck Berry. His virtuoso guitar runs in songs, including the super popular composition Johnny B. Goode(the single with this song was recorded in 1958), the musicians studied it especially. Chuck Berry's rock 'n' roll became the path along which people later came to rock music. The Beatles, And The Rolling Stones, and many more worthy musicians.
But that's a completely different story...