What happened to Rock 'n Roll Music?
It is my opinion, music at its core has not changed since 1992, although the technology and creativity of the artists have provided listeners variety. Volbeat was originally a death metal band, changing speed and ultimately performing heavy metal Rockabilly music. This sound can be heard in songs like the cover of the song “I Only Wanna Be With You” originally performed by the Partridge Family. Ghost B.C., is a heavy metal band and listening to their vocals reminds me of the sound of a modern day Beatles. Their singer, Papa Emeritus III, sings and sounds similar to Paul McCartney. A live performance of Ghost BC is absolutely nothing resembling the Beatles, quite contrary, but the vocal sounds are similar to the Beatles. I can list many performing artists who borrow from past performers. With some artists, the early Rock ‘n Roll influences are overwhelming. This year alone, Disturbed remade “The Sound of Silence” originally performed by Simon and Garfunkel. Disturbed covered and re-recorded this song earning accolades by redoing this song extremely well. Kelly Clarkson did a cover of Love me Tender by Elvis. In my opinion, music has not changed tremendously since 1992, although performers have expanded on creativity and technology to develop their individual sound.
I have learned a lot about the history of Rock ‘n Roll. The one thing I think I will remember a year from now is much of the Motown sounds started out as church music. Singers starting their careers in their local church choir ultimately performing the music of early Rock ‘n Roll. Without the church performances by the Crystals, Aretha Franklin and Little Richard, just to name a few artists, we might not have ever heard some of the wonderful music they created. Motown Music may not have ever really developed. My attitude toward early Rock ‘n Roll changed realizing the social boundaries associated with the early performers. I had not realized how segregated early Rock ‘n Roll really was, and that late night radio stations were playing the new artists who were prevented from being mainstream because of social segregation laws. There were so many social issues associated with early Rock ‘n Roll influencing and inspiring an entire generation of people globally. The British Invasion of Rock ‘n Roll, the Vietnam War, segregation laws in America and Rock ‘n Roll was created to answer the call of these social issues.
Written by Nicky C 30 November 2016
