1950: The Rock and Roll Era

The music in the 50s was characterized by light melodies and sweet lyrics. Songs were innocent and inoffensive and contained feel-good tunes which reflected the optimistic mood of America post World War II. At this time the pop charts were dominated by artists like Pat Boone, Rosemary Clooney, and Perry Como. Moreover a new driving music force was established when the era of Rock and Roll began. In 1955, when Bill Haley’s “Rock around the clock” became popular, people learned to swing to a whole new sound and felt vitality by this music genre. Rock and Roll music is characterized by a front man appearing as singer is accompanied by instruments like guitars, e-bass, drums, and sometimes saxophones. Infectious beats and rhythms established Rock and Roll as dance music which followed the traditions of blues and swing music.

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