Rock N Roll

The format for "rock" music was the typical twelve bar blues pattern with several improvised chorus' of the theme by an instrumentalist, usually a saxophone or a trumpet, in addition to the solo singer or a vocal group. The rock 'n' roll era gave the black artists the opportunity to get exposure in the white market. There were Chuck Berry's "Maybelline," Tutti Frutti," by Little Richard. Bo Diddley's version of "Bo Diddley," Earth Angel," by the Penguins and the "Great Pretender" by the Platters. Then in 1956, Elvis Presley stole the spot light away from all other artists with successful recordings of "Heartbreak Hotel," "Hound Dog," "Love Me Tender," and "Blue Suede Shoes." In 1957, it was "Jailhouse Rock," "All Shook Up," and "Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear."

The rock 'n' roll period divided the performers into various groups. The black artists, like Fats Domino, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, and Little Richard were singing in the black style of rhythm and blues. Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly and Bill Haley would combine the rhythm and blues with their southern white country music in their performances. While most of the music performed by these artists was up-tempo, there were other solo artists and vocal groups that preferred the slower less rhythmic sound, such as Bobby Darin, Pat Boone, Paul Anka and Ricky Nelson. The vocal group were the Drifters, the Penguins, the Coasters, and the Clovers. These performers preferred to use the standard 32 bar form of music (AABA) rather than the 12 bar blues pattern.