When was Rock Born and When did it die?

[Rockbandfan23467]

See title.

To me:

Rock was born in the '53 or so when the chessboard of rock musicians came out.

Rock died when The Backstreet Boys came out in '97.

[instantdeath999]

When was it born? Eh, very broad question... the seed was planted with Robert Johnson.

Rock has had some major injuries in it's lifetime, but isn't dead yet.

[WonderboyYYZ]

Rock has had some major injuries in it's lifetime, but isn't dead yet.

Yeah, I wouldn't call it dead yet.

I'd say it's just going through chemo to try and extract the cancer that is rap and the Jonas Brothers

[AxlVanHagar]

Rock is alive and well. Alice Cooper, Megadeth, Motorhead, Black Sabbath, Rush, AC/DC, Motley Crue and many others are continuing to release some excellent music and have all done so within the last year.

[culturedog]

Yeah, the Backstreet Boys were a pop sensation that had nothing to do with rock music.

I think you're talking more about rock's commercial viability than the genre itself. Just because some goofy a**clowns in jumpsuits were making fools of themselves on TRL didn't mean badass guitar players in small clubs suddenly forget how to make power chords.

And there have been plenty of popular rock acts since the noxious wave of Boy Bands rolled back into the briny seas of Hell. And now with the surge in popularity in certain video games, people that would never have thought about listening to rock (especially classic rock) are now very curious about it - all in all I think it's breathing very strongly at the moment.

Besides, if rock dies it won't be whimpering at the hands of some goofy pop idols, it will literally self-combust and 'splode all over the place. Woohoo!

As for its birth, let's go with instantdeath and say it was born at the crossroads with Robert Johnson - it just had to gestate for a while and mutate before walking on its own two legs in the fifties.

[FTM311]

This is the generic Wiki statement for what I believe.
"Ike Turner's actual music career began in earnest in the late-1940s where he formed a group whom he christened The Kings of Rhythm. In 1951, the band recorded what some historians have debated as "the first rock and roll record" with "Rocket 88", credited to Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats (this band did not actually exist). Brenston was both the band's saxophonist and the lead vocalist of the song, and on the original Chess release was listed as the song's writer. "Rocket 88" was produced at Sun Studio in Memphis by Sam Phillips. The record was one of the first examples of guitar distortion, which happened by accident when one of the amplifiers was dropped before the recording."

I have always stuck with this idea as the birth of rock and roll.

Even though Manson declared Rock to be deader than dead and Rock and Roll may be dead as a commercial product, Rock is more of a senior citizen. Rock had a baby and his name was metal and he sure made his daddy proud.

[afterstasis]

it's always been my opinion that those who say that a genre has died have just failed to find it.

even genres that haven't had so much as a bit of mainstream success in many years (hair metal, hardcore punk, folk rock, etc.) are alive and well in various shapes and forms.

[Rockbandfan23467]

Robert Johnson is not Rock!!!!

But I'll go with the Ike Turner and Co.'s Rocket 88.

[Lockheed]

Back when Ig met Ug and bashed him over the head with a large aggregate mineraloid.
As time went by Ug's skull was cluttering up the place and Ig threw it. It made suck a wonderous sound as it clashed against things that he repeatedly struck it at it's crown.

Wait, maybe that's percussion.......

[instantdeath999]

Robert Johnson is not Rock!!!!

But I'll go with the Ike Turner and Co.'s Rocket 88.

I know he wasn't. He had a huge influence on rock, though.

[Rockbandfan23467]

I know he wasn't. He had a huge influence on rock, though.

If you go that way, then Rock was born at the dawn of the Earth.

I mean the first Rock recording. I say Rock was born when Rocket 88 was recorded.

[Julio_Strikes_Back]

If you go that way, then Rock was born at the dawn of the Earth.

I mean the first Rock recording. I say Rock was born when Rocket 88 was recorded.

Good for you. Others say otherwise.

[Gargoyle2500]

When was it born? I have no idea. When did it die? It didn't die.

I just summed up half of the thread.

[Quinarvy]

Speaking of rock dying, anyone notice all the big boys of rock coming back with albums? Rush, AC/DC, Led Zeppelin's in the studio, Axl's releasing Chinese Democracy, Motley Crue, Metallica, Judas Priest, etc.

Its like they all got together and were like "Lets see what happens if we vanish for a bit"

[Rockbandfan23467]

Speaking of rock dying, anyone notice all the big boys of rock coming back with albums? Rush, AC/DC, Led Zeppelin's in the studio, Axl's releasing Chinese Democracy, Motley Crue, Metallica, Judas Priest, etc.

Its like they all got together and were like "Lets see what happens if we vanish for a bit"

Axl's been saying he'll release CD sence before some of us were born.

Chinese Democracy will never happen.

Yes, Both.

[onduvalst]

In the wise words of the Who:

Down at the astoria the scene was changing,
Bingo and rock were pushing out x-rating,
We were the first band to vomit in the bar,
And find the distance to the stage too far,
Meanwhile its getting late at ten oclock,
Rock is dead they say,
Long live rock.

People walk in sideways pretending that theyre leaving,
We put on our makeup and work out all the lead-ins,
Jack is in the alley selling tickets made in hong kong,
Promoters in the pay box wondering where the bands gone,
Back in the pub the governor stops the clock,
Rock is dead, they say,
Long live rock.

The place is really jumping to the high-watt amps,
til a 20-inch cymbal fell and cut the lamps,
In the blackout they dance right into the aisle,
And as the doors fly open even the promoter smiles,
Someone takes his pants off and the rafters knock,
Rock is dead, they say,
Long live rock, long live rock, long live rock.

Long live rock, long live rock, long live rock,
Long live rock, long live rock, long live rock.

Long live rock, I need it every night,
Long live rock, come on and join the line,
Long live rock, be it dead or alive.

[WhiffleBallTony]

Rock was born when "Rocket 88" was released. It has not died, though. It's still alive and well and plenty of rock artists are thriving today.

[sonicnerd23]

This is my view on the history of rock.

Birth - 1954-1961: From the Rock Around the Clock single to the early 60's.

Golden Age Part I - 1962-1976: Birth of the Beatles; British Invasion; birth of the modern hard rock bands like Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, and Black Sabbath.

Golden Age Part II - 1977-1995: The rise of punk rock; during the 80's, the birth of classic heavy metal bands like Megadeth and Metallica, classic hair metal bands like Ratt and Motley Crue, and classic new wave bands like Duran Duran and Depeche Mode; after the 80's, hair metal died and grunge rose; ends with Kurt Cobain's death.

Modern Age - 1996-present: Something happened in '96. I dunno what, but it caused the newest age of music.

[Rockbandfan23467]

I say that Rock died when the Backstreet Boys came out in 1997. Ever sence then, rock has been playing second (sometimes even 3rd) fiddle.

[Highlandlassie1]

It was born with "Johnny B. Goode" by Chuck Berry, and while it has been bastadized, convoluted, distorted, and horrifically disfigured by recent genres, the core of rock is still alive, but generally not accepted by todays youth, who, out of rebellion, and the search for "something different", embrace all of todays hybrids and subgenres.

It is the duty of old farts like me to try and keep the old school heart of rock and roll alive, buy buying new music that has the most resemblance to real rock and roll.

[WhiskeyJack]

Originally Posted by onduvalst
Rock is dead they say,
Long live rock.

Amen good sir.

[culturedog]

I say that Rock died when the Backstreet Boys came out in 1997. Ever sence then, rock has been playing second (sometimes even 3rd) fiddle.

So again we're solely equating rock's vitality with its commercial viability.

So your real question is "When did Rock lose its foothold as a sales powerhouse?"

[Alstair]

All I know is Rock died when bands like Naked Brothers band, and Jonas Brothers decided they were musicians.

[Soror_YZBL]

hey hey, my my, rock and roll will never die. :)

But seriously, why do say pop and hip-hop killed rock? Place the blame where it belongs, on the Baroque period.

[Rockbandfan23467]

Baroque was long dead when rock was born, *****.

[Soror_YZBL]

Baroque was long dead when rock was born, *****.

sorry! forgot the /sarcasm tags! I'll remember next time, and you won't have to look like an idiot replying to something so painfully obvious. I'm looking out for you, buddy!

[benson111]

Birth? Rock *Type music has been around for a century or more, in many forms. Beethoven, considered in his time as a "Edge musician", and rock has its roots in classical.

Blues, considered the very beginning of rock music, started in the 20's.

In my opinion, rock music as "We" know it started in the late 40's with ......

Wynonie Harris' "Good Rockin' Tonight" (recorded on December 28, 1947

Rock The Joint" – either the original 1949 version by Jimmy Preston, or the 1952 version by Bill Haley





Rocket 88" - again, either Jackie Brenston's original, recorded on March 5, 1951 with Ike Turner and the Kings of Rhythm, or Bill Haley's cover, later in 1951

Bill Haley's "Rock Around The Clock" (recorded on April 12, 1954)

Elvis Presley's "That's All Right (Mama)" (recorded in July 1954



Oh and "Rock" NEVER died, it mutates with every generation.!

[Ravaana]

I was always under the impression that The Music died on Feb 3rd, 1959. In a horrible plane crash. As noted in Don McLean's song, American Pie. (annotated) (http://www.fiftiesweb.com/amerpie-1.htm)

But, hey. what do I know. Since Someone else said "Rock and Roll will never die"

[benson111]

I was always under the impression that The Music died on Feb 3rd, 1959. In a horrible plane crash. As noted in Don McLean's song, American Pie. (annotated) (http://www.fiftiesweb.com/amerpie-1.htm)

But, hey. what do I know. Since Someone else said "Rock and Roll will never die"

That would be the day that music died, not rock and roll, :p
Just kidding, great song though. :D

[My name is Fez]

"In the begining, back in 1955..." lololz.

But seriously, I would go with probably Rocket 88 as the first definitive rock release, because if we count blues or classical having an "influence" on rock, then as mentioned, rock was born at the beginning of time.

As for when it "died," if you count its commercial vitality, it went into a coma in 1997 and woke up a couple years ago, thanks in no small part to the popularity of rhythm games.

Commercially, rock has been making a comeback for about 5 years or so. Rush, AC/DC, Metallica, Motley Crue, and all the other big name rock artists releasig new albums hasn't hurt either =p

In general, though? It never died.

[m00p]

hey hey, my my, rock and roll will never die. :)

But seriously, why do say pop and hip-hop killed rock? Place the blame where it belongs, on the Baroque period.

Hey Hey, My My- Neil Young

Schwing!

[Rockbandfan23467]

It's also Talkin' Seattle Grunge Blues.

[l-o-t]

"In the begining, back in 1955..." lololz.


Damn You! I was gonna say that!

Oh well, Rock as a way of life has been around as long as people have wanted to sick it to the man! When the music as we know it began, I cannot say.

But Rock will never Die!

[Herculiods]

Rock and Roll was a 50's thing. Many think Rock and Roll became Rock when things like the British Invasion, Folk Rock and Psychedelic Rock started between 1964-1967. Rock is not dead either. Dude I play in a band and it's not dead. Anyone listen to albums like "Revolver" or Velvet Underground first album thats not Rock and Roll. John Lennon would say after recording Sgt Pepper that they were not recording Rock and Roll because it had no groove to it.

[MronoC]

Rock and Roll, in it's fully developed state, was born in 1955 when Chuck Berry recorded "Maybellene".

Rock and Roll died (as Ian Christe put it in the prologue for "Sound of the Beast") in 1970 when Black Sabbath came out, afterwards there was simply Heavy Metal and it's "domesticated relative."