Position Paper on Rock n Roll and the Black Americans

Title    Position Paper -    Prefered Language style    English (U.S.)
Type of document    Essay    Number of pages/words    2 Pages Double Spaced
Subject area    Art    Academic Level    Undergraduate
Style    APA    Number of sources/references    2
Order description: Rock n Roll and the Black Americans

Position Paper

There has been an ongoing debate on the origin of Rock and roll and its true benefactors. Rock and roll evolved in the height of racial segregation and the civil unrest in the United States. As such, many pundits hold the view that rock and roll was originally initiated by the blacks in late 1940s through the 1950s (Comfort, 2009). However, little credit is offered to the initiators including Wyonnie Harris who recorded “Good Rocking Tonight” in 1947. Without better exploration on the history of the black popular music, western and country music, race relations, music business and technical developments it remains easier to conclude, rock and roll emerged as a new genre in the music industry. However, research studies indicate that, rock and roll developed out of a natural result of various forces that combined and affected music (Linden, 2012). Thus, rock and roll development cannot be alluded to a particular race but a universal aspect that led to its ultimate launch and impact in the world of music.

The argument that rock and roll unfairly robbed black artists of their music, credit for their contribution, and their just due is invalid. Although African music traits form the basis for the rock and roll, its fusion with the European music strengthened its foundation in regard to its profound context (Linden, 2012). Therefore, rock and roll is a genre developed from musical interaction between the black Americans popular music and a plantation of country and western music (Comfort, 2009). Apparently, rock and roll evolved from blues, rhythm and accent on the appeal and youth oriented lyrics. Thus, it incorporated a variety of musical styles that also included country and gospel music in addition to the western blues and African rhythm.

Helen Kolawole claim that Elvis and by extension the other white rock an rollers of 1950s clouds the true picture of rock ‘n’ roll at the expense of the black artists is not justifiable. Through integration of various influences diverse artists including not only Elvis but also other whites such as Stephen Foster, Scott Joplin contributed immensely to the development of the rock ‘n’ roll genre. Although, Elvis Presley recorded ‘Good Rocking Tonight” in 1954, he did not steal the originality of the song from Wyonnie Harris but gave it a new approach and music context (Comfort, 2009). His instrumentation electronic amplification, relatively simplified phrase structure and heavily accented beat gave the music a new landing that popularized the acceptance of the rock and roll music. Arguably, the whites helped in the enhancing the inclusivity of the rock and roll genre through borrowing and incorporating musical characteristics from other styles such as opera (Linden, 2012). For instance, the Elvis “Can’t Help Falling in Love” was heavily borrowed and remixed from “Plaisir d’ Amour” recorded by Paul Egide’s in 1780.

Although race and American popular music has been inseparable, claiming rock and roll is black music cannot be clearly substantiated. However, the music characteristics owe recognition to the African American musicians, singers and songwriters who contributed to the development of the popular music. Nevertheless, rock and roll music genre is a universal result that holds its development to various musical aspects that cut across all races (Comfort, 2009). Western music including opera and blues also contributed immensely to the evolution of ultimate rock ‘n’ roll music. Imperatively, rock and roll genre, developed through a natural progression of varying musical styles that incorporated fusion of different attitudes, songs and dance moves (Linden, 2012). Therefore, arguing that rock and roll unfairly robbed black artists of their music, contribution credit and justice is not true. In addition, Elvis and other whites do not cloud the true picture of rock ‘n’ roll but helped in popularizing and exposing the music genre to ultimate acceptance. As such, rock and roll cannot be referred to as a black music but a fusion of different musical styles that heavily borrowed from varying genres.

References

Comfort, D. (2009). The Rock & Roll Book of the Dead: The Fatal Journeys of Rock's Seven         Immortals. New York: Citadel Press.

Linden, P. (2012). Race, hegemony, and the birth of rock & roll. MEIEA Journal, (1), 43.