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History of Rock, Part One
  • Level Foundation
  • Duration 13 hours
  • Course by University of Rochester
  • Offered by

About

This course, part 1 of a 2-course sequence, examines the history of rock, primarily as it unfolded in the United States, from the days before rock (pre-1955) to the end of the 1960s. This course covers the music of Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Phil Spector, Bob Dylan, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Cream, and many more artists, with an emphasis both on cultural context and on the music itself. We will also explore how developments in the music business and in technology helped shape the ways in which styles developed. Rock emerged in the mid 1950s as a blending of mainstream pop, rhythm and blues, and country and western--styles that previously had remained relatively separate. This new style became the music of the emerging youth culture and was often associated with teen rebellion. We will follow the story of how this rowdy first wave of rock and roll (1955-59) was tamed in the early 60s but came roaring back with the Beatles and the Rolling Stones and then went psychedelic by the end of the decade.

Modules

Introduction to History of Rock, Part 1

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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1 Videos

  • Introduction

1 Readings

  • Welcome to the Course

About the Course

    • 3 Readings
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3 Readings

  • General Overview
  • Syllabus
  • Grading and Logistics

Course Pages

    • 3 Readings
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3 Readings

  • Music Fundamentals
  • Listening Guides (19 videos)
  • About the Professor

The World Before Rock and Roll I

    • 4 Videos
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4 Videos

  • The Music Business in the First Half of the 20th Century
  • Radio and Regional vs National Audiences
  • The Stars of Pop Music Before Rock and Roll
  • Les Paul, Inventor - The Role of Technology

The World Before Rock and Roll II

    • 3 Videos
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3 Videos

  • Origins of Country & Western (pre WWII)
  • The Rise of Nashville
  • Rhythm and Blues (Pre 1945)

The World Before Rock and Roll III

    • 4 Videos
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4 Videos

  • Rhythm & Blues (Post 1945)
  • Regional R&B Radio in the 1950s
  • Doo Wop and Gospel
  • Hokum Blues and Sexual Lyrics

The Birth and First Flourishing of Rock and Roll I

    • 3 Videos
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3 Videos

  • The Rise of Youth Culture in the 1950s
  • Radio and Records
  • Crossovers and Covers

The Birth and First Flourishing of Rock and Roll II

    • 3 Videos
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3 Videos

  • The First Rock and Rollers Cross Over
  • The Rise of Elvis Presley
  • Sam Phillips Selling Elvis Contract

The Birth and First Flourishing of Rock and Roll III

    • 2 Videos
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2 Videos

  • Rockabilly in the Wake of Elvis
  • The Day the Music Died

Review

    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • The World Before Rock and Roll and The Birth and First Flourishing of Rock and Roll

The Demise of Rock and the Promise of Soul I

    • 4 Videos
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4 Videos

  • Audiences and Marketing - The Search for the Next Elvis
  • The Brill Building Approach to Pop
  • Teen Idols
  • Producers and Girl Groups

The Demise of Rock and the Promise of Soul II

    • 3 Videos
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3 Videos

  • Sweet Soul
  • TV, Movies, and Dance Crazes
  • The Folk Revival

The Demise of Rock and the Promise of Soul III

    • 2 Videos
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2 Videos

  • Rockabilly Popsters
  • Surf Music

The Beatles and the British Invasion (1964-66) I

    • 4 Videos
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4 Videos

  • Introduction
  • The Early 1960s in the US & UK
  • The Rise of the Beatles
  • Beatles as Students of American Pop Music

The Beatles and the British Invasion (1964-66) II

    • 4 Videos
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4 Videos

  • Beatles From Craftsmen to Artists
  • Blues in the UK
  • The Rolling Stones Emerge
  • The Stones in The States

The Beatles and the British Invasion (1964-66) III

    • 2 Videos
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2 Videos

  • Other British Bands
  • The Kinks and the Who

Review

    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • The Demise of Rock and the Promise of Soul (1959-63) and The Beatles and the British Invasion (16964-66)

American Responses I

    • 3 Videos
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3 Videos

  • Dylan as the New American Songwriter
  • Dylan Goes Electric
  • Folk Rock and the Byrds

American Responses II

    • 2 Videos
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2 Videos

  • The Phil Spector Legacy
  • Meanwhile, Back East

American Responses III

    • 2 Videos
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2 Videos

  • Garage Bands
  • TV Rock

Motown Pop and Southern Soul I

    • 3 Videos
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3 Videos

  • Preamble
  • Hitsville, USA: Motown
  • The Motown Performers

Motown Pop and Southern Soul II

    • 2 Videos
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2 Videos

  • Soulsville, USA: Stax and Southern Soul (7:25)
  • The Stax Performers (12:06)

Motown Pop and Southern Soul III

    • 2 Videos
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2 Videos

  • Motown, Stax, the British Invasion, and the American Response (6:37)
  • James Brown (12:44)

Review

    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • American Responses and Motown Pop and Southern Soul

Psychedelia: The Beginning

    • 3 Videos
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3 Videos

  • LSD, Music, and the Trip
  • The Beginnings of the Hippie Aesthetic
  • Pushing the Envelope Beatles and Beach Boys

Psychedelia in San Francisco

    • 2 Videos
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2 Videos

  • Psychedelia in San Francisco - Subculture
  • Psychedelia in San Francisco – Important Groups

Psychedelia in London

    • 2 Videos
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2 Videos

  • Psychedelia in London and Underground Favs
  • Psychedelia in London – Mainstream Stars

More about Psychedelia

    • 2 Videos
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2 Videos

  • Los Angeles and Elsewhere
  • A Hippie Nation

Final Exam

    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Final Exam

Auto Summary

Explore the rich history of rock music in the United States from pre-1955 to the late 1960s. This engaging course, instructed by experts on Coursera, delves into the music of legends like Elvis Presley, the Beatles, and Jimi Hendrix. Focused on cultural context and musical evolution, it also examines the music industry's impact on rock's development. Perfect for foundation-level learners, the course spans 780 minutes and offers flexible subscription options with Starter and Professional plans. Join now to uncover the roots of rock and its revolutionary impact on youth culture.

John Covach
Instructor

John Covach