The Origin of Rock ‘n Roll, Its Promoters
Introduction
For more than a half century, a powerful revolution has been taking shape. A revolution with no political party, no election speeches and even without an ideological platform to state the aims and objectives of the new revolutionaries.
For the first time in history, a profound social, economic, moral and cultural revolution chose to proclaim its radicalism through the music, lyrics and stars of rock music. At first, none of these rock starts was taken seriously, because everyone just thought it was a fad that would eventually pass, like the Charleston, the boogie-woogie and the twist.
The socio-cultural phenomenon of rock that appeared in the early ‘50s, however, would spread throughout the world like a under wave mixed with mud, slag, blood and human sacrifice. Today, rock music has developed to become the most powerful destroyer of bodies, spirits and hearts that ever emerged from the bowels of Hell.
As early as 1950, however, the world received a serious warning during
an exorcism performed in Western Canada by a priest of Long Beach in
California. Before leaving the possessed young woman, the evil spirit
revealed who he was: “I’m a prince and I have arrived. I came to possess
a whole race, the youth of America.” (2)
Another important detail imposes itself. The study of 18 cases of sudden suicides in less than a year among youths age 15 to 21 in the Montreal-Granby-Québec region showed only one constant factor: all were fans of rock ‘n roll.
Is anything more needed to propel me into an in-depth exploration of these human tragedies caused by the devilish and satanic rhythms of this infernal music?
The purpose of this series of articles is to offer the most accurate information possible about the global phenomenon of rock and to make readers acutely aware of its danger and take a strong and energetic position against this global revolution that is affecting youth everywhere.
Let me remind my reader not to lose hope because Christ is victorious. (3)
Phase one: Its birth
In 1951-1952, a young American singer from the Midwest named Richard Littie began to change the beat (4) of the “rhythm and blues” of blacks in the South. In 1955, the famous social commentary film Blackboard Jungle marked the rock ‘n roll revolution by featuring Bill Haley’s Rock Around the Clock in its soundtrack.
Another important detail imposes itself. The study of 18 cases of sudden suicides in less than a year among youths age 15 to 21 in the Montreal-Granby-Québec region showed only one constant factor: all were fans of rock ‘n roll.
Is anything more needed to propel me into an in-depth exploration of these human tragedies caused by the devilish and satanic rhythms of this infernal music?
The purpose of this series of articles is to offer the most accurate information possible about the global phenomenon of rock and to make readers acutely aware of its danger and take a strong and energetic position against this global revolution that is affecting youth everywhere.
Let me remind my reader not to lose hope because Christ is victorious. (3)
Phase one: Its birth
In 1951-1952, a young American singer from the Midwest named Richard Littie began to change the beat (4) of the “rhythm and blues” of blacks in the South. In 1955, the famous social commentary film Blackboard Jungle marked the rock ‘n roll revolution by featuring Bill Haley’s Rock Around the Clock in its soundtrack.
Provocative & obscene movements of Elvis Presley
It was a disc-jockey (5) of the Cleveland Post who mainstreamed the expression rock ‘n roll
to identify this new musical rhythm. What most people do not know is
that this expression, taken from American ghetto slang, describes the
movements of the human body during the sexual act.
In 1954-1955, a young singer and guitarist mastered the technique and musical form of this new music genre. This youth from Memphis, Tennessee was Elvis Presley. (6) This unknown artist stood out because of his personal adolescent revolution against the puritanical morals of the “Bible belt.” (7) He practically incarnated the desire of youth to reject the religious and sexual taboos (8) of society.
Elvis wanted to arouse the youth not only by his music and his words, but also by the obscene and provocative gestures that accompanied his shows. From the beginning, he was called “Elvis the Pelvis” because of the excessive rotations of his pelvis.
Notwithstanding, celebrity and official recognition were accorded him after his appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1956. The reaction of the public was immediate and irreversible. Even though the cameraman took the precaution of capturing only the face and torso of the singer, he could not prevent the transmission of the revolutionary message of Elvis Presley.
In 1954-1955, a young singer and guitarist mastered the technique and musical form of this new music genre. This youth from Memphis, Tennessee was Elvis Presley. (6) This unknown artist stood out because of his personal adolescent revolution against the puritanical morals of the “Bible belt.” (7) He practically incarnated the desire of youth to reject the religious and sexual taboos (8) of society.
Elvis wanted to arouse the youth not only by his music and his words, but also by the obscene and provocative gestures that accompanied his shows. From the beginning, he was called “Elvis the Pelvis” because of the excessive rotations of his pelvis.
Notwithstanding, celebrity and official recognition were accorded him after his appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1956. The reaction of the public was immediate and irreversible. Even though the cameraman took the precaution of capturing only the face and torso of the singer, he could not prevent the transmission of the revolutionary message of Elvis Presley.
Townshend led the way into heavy metal
The erratically stimulating pulsation of the beat adds to its enveloping
effect an irritating sound that by its nature provokes a nervous
overheated reaction, an uncontrollable tension and frustration, and an
irrepressible need for liberation. It must at all costs create a
climate of high tension for the listener to immediately experience
strong sensations that seeks a spontaneous release.
Finally, the amplifiers permit the desired effect when the percussion instruments in full power explode on the senses of the defenseless listener: drums, cymbals, trumpets, strident screams, electronic synthesizers, everything is orchestrated for a final assault on the delirious crowd.
The intent is to wrap and immerse the audience in a raging ocean sound. This is just the start of hard rock, which drowns the audience in a ritual of sex, perversion and rebellion. Of all the artists of “heavy rock,” it is undoubtedly Peter Townshend (9) who consecrated the genre. If Alice Cooper can be called “hard rock” genius, Peter Townshend is its consummate maestro.
In the next article I will look at this second phase: The evolution of rock ‘n’ roll to “hard” and “acid” rock.
To be continued...
Finally, the amplifiers permit the desired effect when the percussion instruments in full power explode on the senses of the defenseless listener: drums, cymbals, trumpets, strident screams, electronic synthesizers, everything is orchestrated for a final assault on the delirious crowd.
The intent is to wrap and immerse the audience in a raging ocean sound. This is just the start of hard rock, which drowns the audience in a ritual of sex, perversion and rebellion. Of all the artists of “heavy rock,” it is undoubtedly Peter Townshend (9) who consecrated the genre. If Alice Cooper can be called “hard rock” genius, Peter Townshend is its consummate maestro.
In the next article I will look at this second phase: The evolution of rock ‘n’ roll to “hard” and “acid” rock.
To be continued...
Interesting. There's a DVD tilted HELL'S BELLS that goes into the same subject. The protestant teaching was hard to take.
ReplyDeleteInteresting. There's a DVD tilted HELL'S BELLS that goes into the same subject. The protestant teaching was hard to take.
ReplyDelete