The document discusses the American response and evolution of folk music in the 1960s, influenced by the British Invasion. It summarizes that many American artists combined elements of folk and rock styles in response, including the Byrds covering Bob Dylan songs and pioneering the folk rock genre. It also discusses how Bob Dylan went electric at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival, dividing folk purists, and how his songs tackled social issues. Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys are highlighted for innovating beyond surf rock styles to create unique California sound pop music.
A presentation on Bob Dylan and his work as a manifestation of poetry. This presentation is not to be used or reproduced for monetary gain, and is strictly for educational purposes. Pictures belong to their original creators. Make sure to attribute the presentation to Alan M. Valle Monagas and Alexander Soto Roman, even when making derivations based on this presentation. For more information, go to icaroson.wordpress.com or write to me at alan.valle@upr.edu.
A presentation on Bob Dylan and his work as a manifestation of poetry. This presentation is not to be used or reproduced for monetary gain, and is strictly for educational purposes. Pictures belong to their original creators. Make sure to attribute the presentation to Alan M. Valle Monagas and Alexander Soto Roman, even when making derivations based on this presentation. For more information, go to icaroson.wordpress.com or write to me at alan.valle@upr.edu.
32315 1 Origins of Rock ‘n’ Roll • Three musica.docxtamicawaysmith
3/23/15
1
Origins of Rock ‘n’ Roll
• Three musical ancestors of Rock
– Country & Western
• Grand Ole Opry and image
• Controversial subjects in lyrics
– Rhythm & Blues
• 12-bar Blues, insistent rhythm, shout-style vocals
• Hokum, Boogie-woogie, Electric guitar
– Pop music
• Strong connection to jazz (Big Band Swing)
• Simple, catchy melodies
• 1950: all three coexisted in separate
markets
– Billboard magazine tracks sales of popular
music
– Separate charts for each genre
• By 1954, markets began to merge
• Crossovers: a crossover hit originates in
one market, but also succeeds in another
– “Earth Angel”—R&B song, made the pop
charts
– “Tennessee Waltz,” “Heartbreak Hotel”—
C&W hits, on pop charts
• Covers: an artist’s version of someone
else’s song
– “Earth Angel”—original by The Penguins
(R&B), covered by the Crew Cuts (Pop)
3/23/15
2
Emergence of Youth Culture
• Prior to 1950s, entertainment industry aimed
at adults
• Mid-’50s: identifiable youth culture
– Movies present images of rebellious youths
• Rebel Without a Cause, Blackboard Jungle
• New role models, dress code, slang, hairstyles
• Black leather jacket, upturned shirt collar, slicked
back hair (“ducktail” or “d.a.”)
• Record companies realize teens have
disposable income
Bill Haley and The Comets
• Haley’s band started with C&W, began
covering R&B songs
– “Shake, Rattle, and Roll” orig. by Joe Turner
– “Rock Around the Clock” orig. by Sonny Dae
• Featured on soundtrack to Blackboard Jungle
• Two months at #1 on pop charts (1955)
• Haley, born in 1927, too old to be the new
face of youth culture
• Laid foundation for Rockabilly
– R&B material, with C&W sound
Elvis Presley (1935-’77)
l Raised
in
poor
family
from
Mississippi
– Elvis
absorbed
a
variety
of
musical
influences
l R&B,
gospel,
C&W,
bluegrass,
pop
l Discovered
while
making
a
recording
for
his
mom
– Memphis
Recording
Service
and
Sun
Records
l Right
voice
at
the
right
Cme
l White
singer
with
a
black
sound
3/23/15
3
Sun Records
• Memphis, Tennessee
• Sam Phillips, founder
– Appreciated talents of R&B musicians
– Began recording them even before he started
his own label
• Brings the music to a wider audience
• Sun Records credited with discovering
Elvis
– “Hound Dog” (1957)
Importance of Elvis
l Flexible,
invenCve
vocal
style
– Always
sounds
like
himself
l Wide
popular
appeal,
crossover
success
– Records
on
country,
pop,
and
R&B
charts
l Huge
commercial
success
– Sold
over
500
Million
records
by
the
Cme
of
his
death
Mainstream Rock ‘n’ Roll
l (DJ Alan Freed, coined the term “Rock ‘n’ Roll”)
• Heavily influenced by R&B
– Little Ric ...
33115 1 Post World War II Musical Modernism .docxtamicawaysmith
3/31/15
1
Post World War II
Musical Modernism
The Media Revolution
• Record companies seek out niche markets
• Columbia, Paramount
• Many marketed and sold to a black audience
• “Race records” – became popular with white
audiences also
• “Hillbilly music” marketed to rural white
southerners
• continuation of pre-1920s fiddle tradition
• fiddle contests and medicine shows
• Unregulated Mexican radio stations
• could reach Canada and China
The Media Revolution
• 1946: Television industry begins
• By 1950s, TV common in most households
• Soap operas, sit coms, variety shows, mysteries
• Radio stations begin to play more pre-
recorded music
• Disc Jockeys (DJs) become important
3/31/15
2
Record Formats
• 78 rpm records: 3-4 minutes of music
• Major record companies begin issuing
Long-Playing (LP) 33 rpm records
• Up to 26 min. per side (12”)
• Targeted at adults
• Often classical music, musical theater,
easy-listening
• 45 rpm Singles (7”)
• Marketed to teens
Pop Music
• Strong connection to Swing
• Continued innovations of popular
1930s vocalists
• Armstrong, Holiday, Bing Crosby
• Song Interpreters
• Each singer recognizable by their style
• Personality becomes part of the song
Pop Music
• Nat “King” Cole (1917-1965)
• Formed a popular jazz trio
• First black artist to host a TV show
• Several pop hits:
• “Straighten Up and Fly Right,” “Unforgettable”
• Frank Sinatra (1915-1998)
• Got his start singing with Big Bands
• Became a teen idol in early 1940s
• Formed his own record company
• “You Do Something to Me” (1950)
3/31/15
3
Woody Guthrie (1912-’67)
• Lived a wandering life
• Hobo lifestyle, inspired his poetry
• Experiences during the Depression
• Dust bowl drought, New Deal politics, unions
• Political radical
• Lyrics about social justice, inequalities
• 1940: “This Land is Your Land” written in response to
Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America”
Woody Guthrie
• “So Long, It’s Been Good to Know You” 1940
• Story about west Texas during the Dust Bowl
• Ironic jabs at religion and society
• influences folk-revivalists, singer-songwriters, and rock
musicians for years to come
Urban Folk Revival
• Guthrie, Pete Seeger form Almanac Singers
• Starts the urban folk revival
• Younger Americans seeking authenticity and
directness in music
• Qualities that were missing in pop music
• Folk songs let performers comment on current events
• Join political movements, play for rallies
• Songs of protest against social ills
3/31/15
4
Country & Western
• Folk becomes Country
• Radio broadcasts
• Nashville becomes epicenter
• 1927: The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN
• Other barn-dance radio shows pop up
• Promotes “down home” image
• as opposed to European opera
• overalls, straw hats, etc.
Post-War Country Music
• Hank Williams and Kitty Wells
...
Module 3Country and Western MusicThe Folk Origins of Cou.docxannandleola
Module 3
Country and Western Music
The Folk Origins of Country Music
Social, racial and religious elements that comprise country music
• The labor conditions in the South and the ethnic diversity. Isolation
• City vs. rural life. Contrast
• Differences in the urban development of North and South
• Infrastructure of nineteen-century southern society. “Blue bloods”
Poor whites supremacy myths:
• The white’s natural supremacy to blacks.
• Machismo o macho (Latino term), a condition of male strength and virility
Fundamentalist Christianity:
• Shaped and control all other attitudes in the South
• Second Awakening, or Great Revival
• Contradictory behavior or dual moralism
• “Gift of gab”
How Country Music
Reflects Rural Characteristics
• Topics in country music.
• Inner conflicts= Success
• Plain language vs. elegant poetics
• “White blues”
• South’s increasing urbanization of the 1920s.
The Tradition of British and American Balladry
Ballads:
Child ballads.
• Structure of the British ballads.
• Topics
• Key
Broadside.
• Songsters
• Topic
A distinctive trait of American Ballads
Ethnic Influences of the
Anglo-American Music Tradition
• Cultural interchange that distinguishes southern music.
• Blacks and Anglo-American ballads. Differences.
Instruments in the Early Country Music
Anglo-Celtic and Anglo-American
Fiddles
The Guitar
The Banjo
The Mandolin
Urban Influence on
Pre-commercial Country Music
• The process of change due to contact with the commercial products of urban culture.
• Repertoire borrowed from sacred songs.
• City musical styles mixed with country
• Indicatives of the Anglo-American cultural dominance.
• Sense of conservatism. Isolationism.
• Christianity
Early Commercialization of
Country Music
Radio gave popular local entertainers a new medium for reaching their
audience.
Atlanta:
WSB the first radio station in the south.
First country recording stars:
Fiddlin’ John Carson, Reverend Andy Jenkins, and Gid Tanner
Ralph Peer
Early recording expeditions to the South conducted by Ralph Peer
The country and “race” music records: the record industry’s efforts to appeal to various regional and ethnic groups.
“Fiddlin’” John Carson: The first commercial country recording artist. “Little Old Log Cabin in the Line” sold over 500,000 copies
Hillbilly: A term used for people who dwell in rural
Hillbilly music: A label for what is now known as country music.
Rube costumes: Dress in straw hats and ragged clothes
Producer, engineer, and talent scout
Listening of “Little Old Log Cabin in the Line”
Lyric: A typical minstrel fare:
Sung by a blackface character, it is nostalgic and sentimental, in a formal, church-delivered manner and does not act out the lyric or display emotion in his rendering
He plays the melody in his fiddle as he sings.
He use the melody of the verse as an instrumental introduction,
as an interlude between verses and as ending
http://en.wik ...
Palestine last event orientationfvgnh .pptxRaedMohamed3
An EFL lesson about the current events in Palestine. It is intended to be for intermediate students who wish to increase their listening skills through a short lesson in power point.
Synthetic Fiber Construction in lab .pptxPavel ( NSTU)
Synthetic fiber production is a fascinating and complex field that blends chemistry, engineering, and environmental science. By understanding these aspects, students can gain a comprehensive view of synthetic fiber production, its impact on society and the environment, and the potential for future innovations. Synthetic fibers play a crucial role in modern society, impacting various aspects of daily life, industry, and the environment. ynthetic fibers are integral to modern life, offering a range of benefits from cost-effectiveness and versatility to innovative applications and performance characteristics. While they pose environmental challenges, ongoing research and development aim to create more sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives. Understanding the importance of synthetic fibers helps in appreciating their role in the economy, industry, and daily life, while also emphasizing the need for sustainable practices and innovation.
The Roman Empire A Historical Colossus.pdfkaushalkr1407
The Roman Empire, a vast and enduring power, stands as one of history's most remarkable civilizations, leaving an indelible imprint on the world. It emerged from the Roman Republic, transitioning into an imperial powerhouse under the leadership of Augustus Caesar in 27 BCE. This transformation marked the beginning of an era defined by unprecedented territorial expansion, architectural marvels, and profound cultural influence.
The empire's roots lie in the city of Rome, founded, according to legend, by Romulus in 753 BCE. Over centuries, Rome evolved from a small settlement to a formidable republic, characterized by a complex political system with elected officials and checks on power. However, internal strife, class conflicts, and military ambitions paved the way for the end of the Republic. Julius Caesar’s dictatorship and subsequent assassination in 44 BCE created a power vacuum, leading to a civil war. Octavian, later Augustus, emerged victorious, heralding the Roman Empire’s birth.
Under Augustus, the empire experienced the Pax Romana, a 200-year period of relative peace and stability. Augustus reformed the military, established efficient administrative systems, and initiated grand construction projects. The empire's borders expanded, encompassing territories from Britain to Egypt and from Spain to the Euphrates. Roman legions, renowned for their discipline and engineering prowess, secured and maintained these vast territories, building roads, fortifications, and cities that facilitated control and integration.
The Roman Empire’s society was hierarchical, with a rigid class system. At the top were the patricians, wealthy elites who held significant political power. Below them were the plebeians, free citizens with limited political influence, and the vast numbers of slaves who formed the backbone of the economy. The family unit was central, governed by the paterfamilias, the male head who held absolute authority.
Culturally, the Romans were eclectic, absorbing and adapting elements from the civilizations they encountered, particularly the Greeks. Roman art, literature, and philosophy reflected this synthesis, creating a rich cultural tapestry. Latin, the Roman language, became the lingua franca of the Western world, influencing numerous modern languages.
Roman architecture and engineering achievements were monumental. They perfected the arch, vault, and dome, constructing enduring structures like the Colosseum, Pantheon, and aqueducts. These engineering marvels not only showcased Roman ingenuity but also served practical purposes, from public entertainment to water supply.
Read| The latest issue of The Challenger is here! We are thrilled to announce that our school paper has qualified for the NATIONAL SCHOOLS PRESS CONFERENCE (NSPC) 2024. Thank you for your unwavering support and trust. Dive into the stories that made us stand out!
Instructions for Submissions thorugh G- Classroom.pptxJheel Barad
This presentation provides a briefing on how to upload submissions and documents in Google Classroom. It was prepared as part of an orientation for new Sainik School in-service teacher trainees. As a training officer, my goal is to ensure that you are comfortable and proficient with this essential tool for managing assignments and fostering student engagement.
Ethnobotany and Ethnopharmacology:
Ethnobotany in herbal drug evaluation,
Impact of Ethnobotany in traditional medicine,
New development in herbals,
Bio-prospecting tools for drug discovery,
Role of Ethnopharmacology in drug evaluation,
Reverse Pharmacology.
Model Attribute Check Company Auto PropertyCeline George
In Odoo, the multi-company feature allows you to manage multiple companies within a single Odoo database instance. Each company can have its own configurations while still sharing common resources such as products, customers, and suppliers.
The French Revolution, which began in 1789, was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France. It marked the decline of absolute monarchies, the rise of secular and democratic republics, and the eventual rise of Napoleon Bonaparte. This revolutionary period is crucial in understanding the transition from feudalism to modernity in Europe.
For more information, visit-www.vavaclasses.com
We all have good and bad thoughts from time to time and situation to situation. We are bombarded daily with spiraling thoughts(both negative and positive) creating all-consuming feel , making us difficult to manage with associated suffering. Good thoughts are like our Mob Signal (Positive thought) amidst noise(negative thought) in the atmosphere. Negative thoughts like noise outweigh positive thoughts. These thoughts often create unwanted confusion, trouble, stress and frustration in our mind as well as chaos in our physical world. Negative thoughts are also known as “distorted thinking”.
2. The American Response
• The Beatles and other B.I. bands did not completely wipe
out American pop music during the year 1964-66
• By summer 1965, new styles were being created in America
that were combinations of Merseybeat and popular
American styles
• Many young people who learned to play acoustic guitar in
the folk revival of the early 60s made an easy transition to
electric instruments
• Also, a slew of guitar-based garage bands began to emerge
based on the enthusiasm of the B.I. groups.
• Television becomes even more important in the music
industry during this time, and most of the major pop music
coming out of America originates in L.A., not NYC.
4. Urban Folk Music in the 1960s
• Folk music is usually defined as
– music of the common people
– expressing the feelings of the people of a
particular region
• Lyrics more significant that music
• Interest in folk music grew in the 1960’s
– Maturing rock audience
• Serious look at culture
– Protest songs
5. Bob Dylan (b. 1941)
• First poet of the mass media
• Took his stage name from his favorite poet,
Dylan Thomas
• Coffeehouse folk music scene in Greenwich
Village
• High quality songs
– Imagery and metaphor
• Rough-hewn performance style
– Guitar, vocals, harmonica
• Listening: “Blowin’ in the Wind”
6. Bob Dylan
• Dylan arrives in NYC in 1960, begins to make a
name for himself; by 1964, one of the most
respected folk singers in the US.
• Known for his “finger-wagging” songs which
brought attention to political, economic, and
social issues.
• Not as well known outside the folk community;
had success on album charts mostly, like most
folk artists.
• More popular in the UK initially, but did well on
both sides of the Atlantic
7. Bob Dylan
• Dylan’s early songs emulated the style of his hero,
Woodie Guthrie, often reworking existing songs
with new words to address a new topic.
– Blowin’ in the Wind – civil rights
– Masters of War – Vietnam
• He becomes more skilled as a songwriter of his
own feelings and questions, such as:
– Girl from the North Country
– Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright
8. Dylan Goes Electric
• Dylan had long been interested in using rock
instrumentation for his music, which did not keep with the
traditions of the folk movement.
• Dylan had actually used electric instruments on a few
recordings, but had not met with much resistance, probably
due to the strong acoustic material on the album.
• In July 1965, Dylan performed with an electric band at the
famous Newport Folk Festival; many of the senior members
of the folk movement felt somewhat betrayed by Dylan.
Pete Seeger
– The audience did not really care for his electric music either,
shouting out heckles and even booing.
9. Listening: “Like a Rolling Stone”
• Composed and performed by Bob Dylan (1965)
• Unique timbre and sound for the time
– Use of keyboard and organ
• Establishes folk rock
• At six minutes, the song was by far the longest 45 r.p.m. pop
single ever released up to that time.
• Rose to #2 on US charts (UK 4)
10. Listening: “Positively 4th Street”
• “Highway 61 Revisited” - Fall 1965
• This song is a reference back to Dylan’s “finger-wagging”
songs from his earlier days, only in this
case, he is wagging the finger at the folk
establishment who he felt had unfairly criticized
his move toward more of a rock sound.
• The song consists of a short introduction,
followed by 12 verses of lyrics, with no breaks.
The accompaniment does not change much,
leaving the listener to focus on the lyrics.
11. Dylan
• 1966 – records landmark album Blonde on Blonde with
the Hawks (later known as the Band) and session
musicians from Nashville
• Motorcycle accident in upstate NY almost kills him in
July ‘66, keeps him out of spotlight for a while; his
music continues to inspire others even in his absence.
• Dylan’s example that pop music could tackle heavier
subject matter changed the game for the music
industry; it no longer was somewhat taboo for artists
outside of folk music to tackle those kinds of topics.
12. Emergence of Folk Rock-1965
• Folk music gone electric
– Dylan’s song “Mr. Tambourine Man” was covered
by the the Byrds.
• Soared to Number One in both US and UK in
June 1965, becoming the first folk-rock hit.
– Shows Dylan’s importance
13.
14. The Byrds
• Formed in L.A. in 1964
• Band’s members had studied folk music
– Roger McGuinn – studied folk music in Chicago, then worked in the
NYC Greenwich Village folk scene by night while working as a Brill
Building songwriter by day; wrote for Bobby Darin.
– Met Gene Clark at gig in L.A., begin writing songs together
• Clark was a member of folk revivalist group New Christy Minstrels
– David Crosby (later of CSN) joins as a singer/guitarist
– Chris Hillman – bass (bluegrass mandolinist)
– Michael Clarke – drums
• The band rehearses and makes a change from a folk-based group to
a rock band quickly.
• A big part of the Byrds’ sound was the jingle-jangle of the guitar,
which was a direct influence of Beatle George Harrison’s electric 12-
string guitar on “Hard Day’s Night”
15. The Byrds
• The Byrds’s early career was represented by
rock versions of folk songs
– Mr. Tambourine Man #1 US pop charts (album US
6, UK 7, 1965)
– Turn Turn Turn (US 1 pop chart, US album 17 uk 11
1966)
• Once Dylan became successful with rock
versions of his own music, the Byrds had to
focus on songwriting.
16. Listening: “Mr. Tambourine Man”
• This song represents a crossroads in the music industry
present in the mid-60s.
• Only two of the Byrds actually participate in this records;
Roger McGuinn sings and plays guitar, David Crosby sings.
The rest was performed by the Wrecking Crew.
• The Wrecking Crew used the same rhythmic feel as on
Beach Boys’ “Don’t Worry Baby”
• The use of the electric 12-string guitar evokes a direct
inspiration of the Beatles (British Invasion)
• So you have a combination of folk (song written by Dylan),
girl groups (Wrecking Crew/Spector), surf music (Beach
Boys), and Beatles (British Invasion)
18. Simon and Garfunkel
• Folk artists – began career under names Tom and
Jerry
• Based themselves on the Everly Brothers
• Album “Wednesday Morning 3AM” sold poorly;
group breaks up.
• After success of Dylan and Byrds, Producer
overdubbed rock band onto original recording of
“Sound of Silence”
– Without Simon or Garfunkel’s prior knowledge or
permission
• It became a Number One pop hit in 1966.
19.
20. Other Folk Rock Groups
• Barry McGuire
– Former member of New Christy Minstrels
– Had hit with P.F. Sloan’s “Eve of Destruction”
• The Turtles
– Had a number 8 hit with cover of Dylan’s “It Aint Me Babe”
– Moved to a more mainstream pop style with hits like “Happy Together” (#1 US
1967)
– Vocalists later went on to work with Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention
• The Mamas and the Papas
– Formed in NYC in 1965, moved out to LA where they enjoyed commercial
success.
– Featured singer John Phillips’ intricate four-part vocal arrangements in the
style of Peter, Paul, and Mary; added a rock beat and sound
– “California Dreamin’” (US 4 UK 11 1966), “Monday Monday” (US 1 UK 3 1966)
21.
22. Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys
• Formed in 1961 in Hawthorne, CA by:
– Brian Wilson
– Brian’s two brothers Carl and Dennis
– a cousin named Mike Love
– a family friend (Al Jardine)
• Brian Wilson was the guiding spirit of the
band during the group’s first decade, and is
one of the most influential American pop
musicians of the past 50 years.
• The band’s influences range from black doo-wop
groups to Chuck Berry to Phil Spector’s
Wall of Sound.
23. Defining model of Beach Boys
Imitation
• Demonstrate
mastery of
early rock ’n’
roll
Emulation
• Create
original
material
based on and
extending
those styles
Innovation
• Branch out
beyond
traditional
rock ’n’ roll to
create
something
truly unique
24. Song Themes
• Until 1964, the songs of the Beach Boys focused on
Wilson’s somewhat mythical version of California
(cars, girls, surfing)
– “Surfin’ Safari” (US 14 1962)
– “Surfer Girl” (US 7 1963)
– “The Warmth of the Sun”
– “California Girls”
• P.S.- Brian Wilson didn’t surf
25. Imitation
• #3 1963
• Chuck Berry’s 1958 hit “Sweet Little
Sixteen”
• Surf music sounds: electronic organ,
reverb-soaked guitar solos
• Brian Wilson’s distinctive falsetto vocals
“Surfin’
USA”
26. Emulation
• #7 1963
• Emulated the doo-wop ballad by infusing it with California
beach content
“Surfer
Girl”
• 1964
• Evoked Chuck Berry
• The solo guitar introduction cops its twelve-bar blues licks
directly from Berry’s “Roll Over Beethoven” and “Johnny
B. Goode.”
• Reached #5 in the US at the height of Beatlemania
“Fun,
Fun, Fun”
27. Innovation
• Wilson begins experimenting with
styles 1964
• First #1 Record
• B-Side “Don’t Worry Baby”
• Turns the up-tempo rock ’n’ roll
anthem into a thoroughly
individual kind of expression
• Becomes big hit just as Beatles hit
US
“I Get
Around”
28.
29. “Don’t Worry Baby”
• This song shows the connection betweek Wilson and Phil Spector.
• Spector is one of Brian Wilson’s musical heroes.
– Story of Wilson hearing “Be My Baby” for the first time, pulling over
his car to avoid an accident
• Wilson was so enamored by “Be My Baby” that he wrote “Don’t
Worry Baby” for the Ronettes to sing. Spector rejected the song for
the Ronettes, so Wilson had the Beach Boys record it.
• Many similiarites between the two songs, up to the opening drum
beat and the use of call and response in the chorus.
• Wilson’s story about the song’s inspiration is that he was truly
worried that he would never be as good as Phil Spector, to which
his wife replied, “Don’t Worry Baby.”
30.
31. Spector’s legacy
• Phil Spector’s big hits “Doo Doo Ron Ron” and “Then He Kissed Me”
with the Crystals, and “Be My Baby” with the Ronettes had been big
hits in the months leading up to the Beatles’ arrival in the US.
• Favorite of the Beatles – he made the trip from London to NYC with
the Beatles on Feb. 7, 1964.
• Spector would continue to have success in the wake of the Beatles.
– Righteous Brothers’ “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling” and “Unchained
Melody” from 1965 were his last big hits. He retired from the music
business after a huge failure with a 1966 Tina Turner record.
– Comes out of retirement to produce Beatles “Let it Be” (1970), George
Harrison’s solo debut “All Things Must Pass” (1970), and John Lennon’s
“Imagine” (1971)
32. Brian Wilson changes his focus
• The success of the Beatles had lasting repercussions for
many musicians, but the effect on the Beach Boys was of
paramount importance.
• The Beatles were signed to Capitol Records in the US; so
were the Beach Boys. The BB’s had to fight for not only the
recognition of the public, but of their own record label.
• Wilson felt that a change was necessary in the band’s
direction in order to compete with the Beatles.
• Wilson decides in Dec. 1964 to stop touring to focus on
composition and recording new music for the band. The
rest of the BB’s continued to tour, with Glen Campbell and
Bruce Johnston in place of Brian.
33.
34. Brian Wilson changes his focus
• Increased sophistication can be heard on “The
Beach Boys Today!” (1965) and “Summer Days
and Summer Nights!!” (1965)
– “Help Me Rhonda” (US 1 UK 27 1965)
– “California Girls” (US 3 UK 26 1965)
• “Beach Boys Party!” was released in 1966,
basically a live album of the band jamming.
– Had one hit single – “Barbara Ann” (US 2 UK 3 1966)
• Brian then turns to a more ambitious project….
35.
36. Pet Sounds
• Brian Wilson, inspired by the Beatles’ album Rubber Soul (1965),
produced what is arguably rock’s first concept album, Pet Sounds.
– Released in mid-1966
– New Standard for record production and musical sophistication
– Modest seller, compared with some other Beach Boys albums
– Had an enormous impact on other musicians
• “Sloop John B” – combination of Spector’s Wall of Sound with
Wilson’s lush vocal harmonies
• “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” uses a harp! This symbolized that the band
had moved past the surf music of their early years.
• “God Only Knows” – Paul McCartney called it the “perfect rock
song” – best illustration of how Wilson’s music had progressed
away from the sounds of surf and the topics of surf.
• What is a “concept album”?
• Paul McCartney affirmed that Pet Sounds was the single greatest
influence on the Beatles’ landmark 1967 album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely
Hearts Club Band.
Editor's Notes
The Beach Boys’ first Top 10 hit, the famous “Surfin’ USA” (Number Three, 1963), simply borrows the music of Chuck Berry’s 1958 hit “Sweet Little Sixteen” with new words.
The Beach Boys’ next hit, “Surfer Girl” (Number Seven, 1963), reinvigorated the sound and spirit of the doo-wop ballad by infusing it with California beach content.
“Fun, Fun, Fun”
The group’s first hit of 1964 evoked Chuck Berry.
The solo guitar introduction copies its twelve-bar blues licks directly from Berry’s “Roll Over Beethoven” and “Johnny B. Goode.”
By mid-1964, Wilson had moved past obvious emulation into a period of aggressive experimentation with his inherited styles and forms.
“I Get Around”
The Beach Boys’ first Number One record
Turns the up-tempo rock ’n’ roll anthem into a thoroughly individual kind of expression