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Invention Of The 78 rpm Record
Around 1898, the first 78 rpm records were produced. It wasn't until the 1920's that the 78 rpm record ('rpm' stands for revolutions per minute) became standard. -
Publication of W.C. Handy's Memphis Blues Popularizes The Blues Genre
Although we can't say for sure how the blues were first played or when they were played, we do know that the publication of W.C. Handy's Memphis Blues helped popularize them in American culture. -
United States Enters World War I
Against the desire of many Americans at the time, the United States entered World War I in 1917. By the time the war had come to an end, 2,000,000 American troops had fought in the war. World War I was often refered to as the war to end all wars, and at the time, many thought its conclusion began a new era of enduring peace. -
The Early Recordings Of W.C. Handy
In the year of 1919, W.C. Handy made one of his most successful recordings, Yellow Dog Blues. -
The Early Recordings of Bessie Smith
Bessie Smith's early recordings in the blues genre enjoy a great deal of success. Songs like "Cemetery Blues" in 1923 helped make her one a respected blues artist. Her recordings have been highly respected by later musicians. -
Early Recordings Of Jelly Roll Morton
Jelly Roll Morton's early recordings such as Thirty-Fifth Street recorded in Chicago in 1924 helped make jazz a successful music. Mortonn was a skilled composer and is well remembered for writing many important jazz standards. -
The Great Flood of 1927
The great flood of 1927 was a devastating disaster for many in the Midwest area of the United States, and particularly for those who lived and owned land in Mississippi. The event made a dramatic impression on many who lived in America, and one blues artist – Charlie Patton – recorded a song about the event. -
The Early Recordings Of Charley Patton
During the twenties, Charley Patton recorded some memorable blues songs. Sometime in October, Patton recorded High Water Everywhere, which was a commentary on the massive flooding that had taken place in the Midwest United States. This is one good example of a song that offers a perspective or commentary on an important domestic issue. -
Great Depression in the United States
In October 29th, 1929, the Dow lost 30 points. Historians often point to this date as the the day the stock market crashed, plunging the United States into the great depression. Many blues artists who were active at that time reflected upon the misery in their songs. Also, some of rock 'n' roll's greatest stars would be born during this rough time in American history. -
The Invention of The Electric Guitar
The electric guitar was invented in 1931. One of the first appeals of [the electric guitar was it's loudness. ](invention.smithsonian.org/centerpieces/electricguitar/invention.htm)Jazz musicians in big bands were attracted to them because they amplfied their playing, making it easier for people to hear their song. -
The Early Recordings Of Robert Johnson
In the year of 1936 and 1937, Robert Johnson made many memorable records. He was a highly skilled guitarist, but his career was cut short when he died at an early age, probably the victim of murder. -
Louis Jordan And His Tympany Five Record Their First Song
In 1938, Louis Jordan and his Tympany Five record their first songs. "Honey in the Bee Ball" and the famous "Barnacle Bill The Sailor" were two of them. Louis Jordan and his Tmypnny Five would pioneer a genre called 'jump blues'. This would become rythm and blues, and eventually (yes) rock 'n' roll. -
America Enters World War II
Japanense forces attack Pearl Harbor. Intense damage is caused, many lives are lost. A few days later, the United States declares war against the Axis. -
The Formal Surrender of Japan
Japan agrees to surrender after two atomic bombs are dropped on its homeland. American soliders soon return home to resume peace again. -
The Swing Era Winds Down
The swing era began winding down after World War II. Jazz was the most popular type of music during the swing era. But as Charlie Parker and others began playing a new type of jazz called bebop, the swing era began to fade and jazz became less popular. -
"Let the Good Times Roll"
Just eight years after recording their first record, Louis Jordan and his Tympany Five record "Let The Good Times Roll", one of his most popular songs. This jump blues song was highly popular among those who liked R&B music. -
Fats Domino Records The Best Selling Rock 'N' Roll Record
Fats Domino records "The Fat Man" rock 'n' roll's first best seller. Domino would go on to become one of the best rock 'n' roll artists of the fifties, with only Elvis Presley outselling his records. Picture by Klaus Hiltscher, Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic license. -
United States Enters The Korean War
Tensions build between North Korean and South Korea. After obtaining weapons from the Soviet Union, North Korea and their forces launch an attack on South Korea. America is soon drawn into the conflict. -
The Year Big Joe Turner Begins Recording For Atlantic Records
Big Joe Turner begins recording for Atlantic Records. Known as the “Boss of the Blues” he was well known for his work as a jazz and blues musician, but many of the tunes he records for Atlantic are much more charteristic of rock 'n' roll. -
The Year Big Joe Turner Performs With Count Basie Orchestra
During the year of 1951, Big Joe Turner, who had a loud voice gifted for big band singing, was acting as a replacement vocalist for the Count Basie Band. While performing at Apollo's Theather in Harlem, exectutives from the newly founded Atlantic record company heard Turner sing. They enjoyed what they heard, and they soon put him under contract as a result. -
Allen Freed Begins Hosting "The Moondog House"
Alan Freed begins hosting the "The Moondog House". Freed was an avid fan of R&B, and was one of the American's who embraced rock 'n' roll as it was first being made. During one of his 'Moondog' shows, he probably gave Rock 'N' Roll its name. -
Year That Elvis Records First Songs With Sun Records
In the year of 1953, Elvis makes his first record as a gift to his mother. It was the first time he approached Sun records, and these recordings would result in future recording oppurtunities for Elvis at Sun. -
Big Joe Turner Records Shake Rattle and Roll
Big Joe Turner records "Shake Rattle And Roll" and becomes one of the few jazz musicians who successfully shift their careers from the genre of jazz and blues to rock. -
Bill Haley And The Comets Record "Rock Around The Clock"
(We're Gonna) Rock Around The Clock has endured as a rock 'n' classic, and has endured as one of the genre's foremost classics. Bill Haley and the Comets performed the song in 1954. The song has also enshrined Bill Haley as one of the most important figuires in rock 'n' roll history. -
Eisenhower Is Reelected President Of The United States
In 1956, Dwight Eisenhower is reelected president of the United States. Eisenhower is seen as someone better equipped to handle foreign woes that arose soon after World War II. -
The Million Dollar Quartet
Rock 'N' Roll's first super group contained Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis. They joined together and made several improvisastional performances. We still have some of the recordings from this chance performance today. -
Buddy Holly Records Demo For Brunswick Records
Thanks partly to Norman Petty, Buddy Holly and the crickets make a demo for Brunswick Records. He eventually obtained a cotract with Brunswick, and became one of a very small number of musicians to have recording contracts with two differnt recording companies. -
Buddy Holly's Peggy Sue Is Released
One of Buddy Holly's signiture tunes, Peggy Sue, is released by Coral records. Many rock 'n' roll artists perform the song, and in 2004, Peggy Sue was named as one of the greatest songs ever created by any artist. -
Jailhouse Rock Is Released
Jailhouse Rock was one of Elvis Presley's most important films. Made in 1957, Jailhouse Rock was one of the greatest examples of how a musician could captilize on and build popularity through cinema. -
Elvis Presley Is Drafted
Only a few months after the release of the highlp popular "Jailhouse Rock" Elvis Presley recieved a draft notice. Although the duty meant a big blow to his career, Elvis accepted the draft notice with responbility and made it clear he didn't want special treatment. -
Henry Mancini's Spook! Appears On "The Music From Peter Gunn"
Most of the tunes on the jazz-pop album "The Music From Peter Gunn" feature cool jazz style songs. But one of the songs, called "Spook!" departs somewhat and picks up certain chareterstics of rock. -
The Plane Crash Of Feb. 3, 1959
Buddy Holly, Ritchie Vallens, and The Big Bopper perish in a plane crash. The cause of the crash was ruled the result of poor weather and pilot error. The deaths of these musicians became known as "The Day The Music Died". -
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The Year Timothy Leary And Others Begin The "Harvard Psilocybin Project"
Timothy Leary begins experimenting with LSD and using drugs to supposedly open up new levels of awareness and understanding. His experiments would eventually consume all of his attention and interest. Leary and his work is seen as essential to the psychedelic movement. -
The Beatles Audition For Decca
Hoping to get their albums popular in America, The Beatles approached Decca. Although The Bealtes chances with Decca looked postive at first, the recording compnay eventually turned them down. "Guitar music is on the way out," was one of the reasons they gave. -
The Year That The Rolling Stones Band Formed
In 1962, The Rolling Stones band is formed. They arrived at just the right time, when the british invasion was about to take place. They would become one of the longest performing bands. -
Lyndon B. Johnson Becomes President
John F. Kennedy is assassinated, and Lyndon B. Johnson is sworn into office. Johnson promised a “Great Society" for all Americans. He became very unpopular because of the Vietnam War, and didn't attempt to win a second term in office. -
John F. Kennedy Is Assassinated
The country is put into shock when news of John F. Kennedy's assassination spread. Kennedy, who had been a popular figuire among many in the pop culture, payed tribute to him in their later works. -
The Beatles Appear On Ed Sullivan's Show
Four young musicians named John, Paul, George, and Ringo appear on Ed Sullivan's television show. They perform the song "A Hard Day's Night" and it is well recieved. The appearance puts the Beatles in the spotlight and gives them a healthy shove towards fame and success. -
American Troops Enter Vietnam
During the mid sixties, American troops enter one of the most unpopular conflicts to take place in American history. The conflcit is the subject of many songs composed and performed by popular rock 'n' roll musicians. -
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band Album Is Released
One of the first concept albums as far as rock 'n' roll is concerned, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band is very experimental. The album is highly pschdelic, and today many study it as an iconic culture piece from the sixties. The album influanced other rock musicians active at the time. -
The Golliwogs Become Creedence Clearwater Revival
Sometime in January of 1967, a band called 'The Golliwogs' changed their name to "Creedence Clearwater Revival" and began enjoying massive success. Within a few years, they would enjoy a number of healthy successes. According to the Rock 'N' Roll Hall Of Fame, "Creedence Clearwater Revival, which disbanded in 1972, were progressive and anachronistic at the same time. An unapologetic throwback to the golden era of rock and roll, they broke ranks with their peers on the progressive, psychedelic Sa -
Richard Nixon Becomes President
Richard Nixon becomes the Thirty-Seventh President of the United States. -
Release of First Jazz-Rock Album
Although Miles Davis incroparted elements from classical music with the album "In A Silent Way" that is not the aspect of the album that is most well-known. The album is considered the first fusion album, because it incorpartes rock patterns. It also features the electric guitar. Miles Davis photo taken by Peter Buitelaar. Image © Copyright 2007 Peter Buitelaar. Original photo under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 license. -
The Beatles Album Abbey Road Is Released
Although it is one of their last albums, Abbey Road makes a definite impression on the music and becomes a favorite for many Beatles fans. The album was highly experimental. According to Wikipedia,"Abbey Road is a rock album that incorporates genres such as blues, pop, and progressive rock and makes prominent use of the Moog synthesizer and the Leslie speaker. Side two contains a long medley of songs that has subsequently been covered by other notable artists." -
The Jazz-Rock Band 'Weather Report' Is Formed
In the year 1970, an experimental jazz band called "Weather Report" was formed. It was one of the earliest jazz-rock bands in exisitence and it was one of the longest lasting ones as well. Joe Zawinul and Wayne Shorter were among the most prominant members of the band. Picture: Author, Chris Hakkens. Licensed under a Attribution 2.0 Generic license. -
"Bitches Brew" Is Released
Considered by many to be the first important jazz-rock album, Miles Davis's Bitches Brew was a highly successful album, was innoative for its use of overdubbing and technology, and helped usher in the fusion era of jazz. Miles Davis photo taken by Peter Buitelaar. Image © Copyright 2007 Peter Buitelaar. Original work licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license. -
The Watergate Scandal
After five burglers were caught in the Democrat Natioanl Commitee headquarters, the Watergate scandal soon took root. The scandal uncovered political coruption, created national anger, and ultimately led to the arrests of dozens and thej resignation of President Richard Nixon. -
Herbie Hancock's Head Hunters Is Released
In 1973, Herbie Hancock and his group released one of the highest regarded jazz-rock albums ever released, Head Hunters. Aside from picking up charateristics of jazz-rock album, the album also picked up elements of funk as well. Picture: Author, Marco Fedele (http://www.flickr.com/photos/marcofedele/)
Licensed under a Attribution 2.0 Generic license. -
Year That John Lennon's Rock 'N' Roll Album Is Released
In part, the album came as a result of the song "Come Together" which Lennon had wrote for the Beatles. Come Together borrowed a little bit too much from the Chuck Berry tune "You Can't Catch Me". Although he was almost sued, Lennon manged to avoid heft fines by agreeing to perform three songs from Big Seven publishers. The album, which was produced during the mid seventies, was something of a reminder of older rock 'n' roll tunes now long past. -
Weather Report's "Heavy Weather" Released
The Weather report released their most important album, Heavy Weather. Even in the heart of the fusion era however, jazz-rock artists remember older jazz styles and artists as demonstrated by the tune called "Birdland" which was a tribute to Charlie Parker.
Picture: Author, Chris Hakkens. Licensed under a Attribution 2.0 Generic license. -
Rock 'N' Roll Hall Of Fame Founded
In 1983, music industry professionals formed an organizartion to honor and recognize the people which made rock 'n' roll an imporant music genre. The group that started the rock and roll hall of fame included Jann Wenner and Seymour Stein. For decades, it has been entering artists into the rock 'n' roll hall of fame.
