It was something new, something scary, something that wasn't what anyone was used too. It was called, Rock and Roll. By definition it is simply popular music with a strong beat and simple lyrics. So why was it so frightening, and importantly, so significant in the 50's?Simple.
Parents, teachers, politicians, strived to find "the perfect society", or, Pleasantville. The 50's came soon after the end of WW2; people just wanted a safe, secure, and typical society thats younger generation would turn into world leaders, lawyers, and doctors. Basically, they just suoght after the norm, what they were used too. Rock and Roll was different. It was fast, unusually energetic, and...atypical. The 50's adults originally thought it was a phase that was going to pass, and tried to think nothing of it. But, it caught on; Fast. This was sobering.
Teenagers at any decade or even any other period in time seek rebellion. For some it is more obvious rebellion, for others it was simply a vague thought that comes and goes, but rebellion was something that created the seeds of the revolutionary 60's, and even today.
Rock and Roll was something that teenagers couldn't help but love. It was fresh, hip, and and emotional outlet for hormonal teenagers who had been forced to live their lives in conformity and security. It didn't take long to become a huge sensation among the younger generations of kids in the 50's. Rock legends became idols, music became worshipped, teens began to find themeselves, this, in my opinion, was one of the main reasons the 60's was such rebellious period in time and such a revolutionary decade that changed the way North America, and soon after, the rest of the world, works.
Links
The History of Rock and Roll - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAK19xrjYxY&feature=fvw
Elvis Presley
Centre- Alan Freed (First person to call it Rock and Roll)
Johnny Cash
