The Rise of Rock ‘n’ Roll, 1945 to 1962
The crystallization of rock ‘n’ roll in the late 1940s and 1950s is one of the most dynamic and misunderstood periods in American popular culture. Behind the era’s facade of innocence and prosperity was a wild free-for-all. Pop music had to continually reinvent itself to keep up with world events.
Learn about the messy, difficult birth of rock music, and what musicians, record labels, DJs, concert promoters, and TV stations went through to ensure the genre’s ascent.
We’ll use music, videos, and discussion to explore:
- The racial, economic, and gender dynamics at play during the rise rock of ‘n’ roll.
- The Fender/Gibson wars and the rise of the electric guitar as an iconic instrument.
- How rock music was aggressively marketed and corporatized early in its history.
- The exact nature of the protests against rock ‘n’ roll and the people who led the charge.
- Why widespread corruption in the music business led to the 1959 Senate hearings on payola.
Location
The Communiverse
1406 Webster St. NW
Washington,
DC
Neighborhood: Columbia Heights
Past event
Instructor
Neal Fersko grew up in suburban New York and has lived in the D.C. area since 2003. He has written on music for Spectrum Culture and Canonball.