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[MUSIC] THE SAVAGE ANIMAL
"BEFORE THERE WAS ROCK " |
12.22.10 |
BY MIKEY MIGO
Everyone has had that horrible hypothetical question. If had a choice to be blind or deaf, which one would you pick? It's always a really hard question to answer for most people. A lot of folks are like me, they value both dearly. I love the visuals of things and being able to see all that is. I also love me some music as apparent with this column. Anyway, I had this discussion recently.
I still don't know exactly which one I'd go with if I had to pick one to lose. What did come to mind was how badly life would suck without music. Then again, maybe not. Life without country music, certain pop, and emo wouldn't be so bad. Of course it would offset the levels of awesome. The bands and artists you already love would possibly lose value based on who they'd be compared to. With no shit, there's nothing compare the good to is all I'm saying.
But in the all mighty boredom, one must wonder these things. Instead of picking and choosing what artists exist and don't exist would be unfair and bias. My question then warped into What would happen if there was no rock and roll?" Holy shit. That's not a world I want to be a part of. Rock music is so much a part of my life that I'd be a completely different person without it. How could anyone live without Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, or even Guns N' Roses not part of their lives? What fun would making fun of shit like Limp Bizkit, Creed, Nickelback, and the Jonas Brothers would we be missing? No more concerts? Do music videos just become videos?
It hit me that I've taken rock and roll for granted. It's been in my life since before I could walk and it's going to be in my life until I can't walk no more. The concerts, the music videos, the shitty bands to mock, the icon, the styles, and the whole rock and roll world is something that's just there. Like how people under twenty will take the internet for granted, I've taken rock and roll for all it's worth. It's hard to believe that there was a time in history BEFORE rock and roll.
Yeah, I know there were classical, jazz, and other genres out there. I just don't know that much about them. When I think of music, my brain can't really comprehend a pre-rock situation. That's what I wanted to take a look into today. The days before rock and roll…
People often argue when rock and roll music started exactly. Some say it starts with this act, or this genre, or that act, or that genre. It's all subjective and opinion. I look at it as starting with the rhythm and blues influx of Chuck Berry, Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, and those cats. The exact time line is blurry. So let's just say rock music started when the electric guitar was invented. This would make it 1936, a little earlier than I'd of expected but still fair enough.
What was music like before 1936? That's the question. Without researching my impression is that the music scene was rag-tag piano playing like you see in cowboy movies and burlesque shows. That, orchestra stuff, American-loving sing-a-longs, and blowing into a jug. That's what I think about when it comes to pre-rock music. But what would I like as a modern listener? The thing about rock music is that it represents youth and rebellion. Did any music at this point convey a similar stance?
To put in perspective how long ago this was, in 1878 Thomas Edison patented the phonograph. That's less than 60 years before this 1936 proverbial page marker. Just two years before this, Tchaikovsky completed the final draft of Swan Lake. THAT is how long ago this is. At this point orchestra and opera were the main musical elements out there. Neither were a voice of rebellion and seemed to be reserved for those of disposable means and higher class.
Finally in 1896, Ragtime was introduced into the world. It's a combination of West Indian rhythm and European musical that was pretty okay. I guess of all the genres at the time this one would be considered the most "edgy" and contemporary. I prefer classical to this, but with it being so new at the time it had to be what the younger people were rocking out to.
Music would continue to evolve and become more of an open art form. Piano styles were being adapted, more icons were showing up, and Billboard magazine even debuted in 1913. After wandering around and forming it's own unique voice jazz would find itself a home in Chicago in 1919. This was when things got good.
Jazz is much more rebellious than any other musical style at the time. Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, and the Chess guys all called Chicago home. Their genre gained more and more attention. Jazz would evolve more and more. Blues would also pop up with more of a being. It all leads up to 1932.
In 1932 music changed. Jazz legend, Duke Ellington writes and releases "It Don't Mean a Thing, If It Ain't Got That Swing". This ignited a new era of swing music. Pretty much at that point you can basically just take "swing", use that electric guitar that gets invented in 1936, and toss in some "soul" and BAM!... Rock and roll.
If I had to pick what pre-rock and roll genre I'd be biggest fan of I'd not know what route to go. I know for sure, no opera. It may sound nice for a little while, but it'd get old really fast. Classical music has provided so much beauty and has the longevity. Jazz is awesome and Swing sounds like a lot of fun. Either way zoot suits would be worn.
What Pre-Rock and Roll Genre Would YOU Rock Out To?
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