How Useful is a Production of Culture Perspective in Understanding the Birth of Rock and Roll?

When was rock and roll born? Some would say the 1940's, when Wyonie Harris's 'Good Rockin' tonight' (1947) was released and others like Rolling Stones Magazine, suggests that the first rock and roll single was Elvis Presley's 'That's All Right'' in 1954. 

Richard A. Peterson described rock and roll using six key terms that he believed influenced its rise in 1955. He concentrated on the social context and how it affected rock music, rejecting the view that the emergence of certain artists such as Elvis and Chick Berry in the 50's; were responsible for rock and roll. He explains that new technology, such as the television and the use of the transistor helped to broaden the rock audience. Peterson's theory overlooked one main factor; he does not address the music itself. In 1955 circumstances came together but he doesn't explain why the music that emerged was rock and roll. Why was it not the breakthrough of Jazz music? I believe that Peterson's theory is too general as it sets up a framework that could refer to any type of music.

Is It Reasonable To Consider That Rock Music Is Gendered Male?

Yes. Rock is predominantly a male culture, in which women are widely restricted. Unfairly, women tend not to be considered as instrumentalists, only vocalists. Mavis Bayton states “women's presence has been absolutely minimal” and this is evident from the top 100 best guitarists featured in the Rolling Stones magazine in which the only two female artists featured in the list weren't even in the top 50!

Feminists say that rock is a male form of expression thus making it difficult for women to be accepted into the genre. Janis Joplin sacrificed her femininity and was seen as 'one of the guys' in order for her music to be accepted as 'rock'. There are many female rock artists such as Bonnie Raitt and Joan Jett but they can never be compared to guitarists such as Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton or Eddie Van Halen. Men don't have any physical attribute that makes them “better” at playing instruments than women, yet rock is still a male-dominated genre. 

Can Popular Music Ever Really Be Unplugged?

Hearing an artist 'unplugged' gives us a chance to hear what they really sound like acoustically; without the use of electronic technology such as the microphone, amplifier and electric guitar. Inventions such as the microphone allowed an artist to perform to larger venues and still be heard.Popular music requires a large audience in order to become 'popular' so the use of the microphone  has become compulsory. It helps artists to create that intimate sound that cannot be achieved acoustically and still be heard, evident in artists such as Bing Crosby.

In the 1950's amplification became a necessary part of rock 'n' roll. 'The Beatles' would not exist without the use of technology, as their music depended on miniaturisation and amplification. Popular genres such as hip-hop and dance music would also be inconceivable without the use of amplification; proving that popular music can never survive 'unplugged'.

“Without electronic technology, popular music in the 21st century is unthinkable” (Theberge).

Pop Goes the culture: What is Popular Music

Popular music is described by Raymond Williams as a term which was originally a legal one. The term has changed over many centuries; in the 16th century it meant vulgar/low, in terms of common people and continued to change. In the 19th century, american magazine came to take the word 'popular' as 'good'. Popular from the people of folk could include home-made, unpolished and unmediated music. Folk can be seen as authentic whereas pop can be classed as manufactured. As noted by some songs in the charts (bob the builder), popular is not always a synonym for 'good'. Popular music can also be commercially oriented meaning that profit is the primary aim. Popular music involves the use of technology, such as the piano, guitar e.t.c. Popular means contemporary, mass produced and consumed. It can also be described as “a hybrid of musical traditions, styles and influences”.