The Blues: How Three Chords Became Rock 'n' Roll

Rock ‘n’ roll exists because of the blues. Songs sung by enslaved Africans in the southern U.S. became gospel music, the acoustic blues of the Mississippi Delta, the electrified sounds of Chicago, and the rhythm and blues associated with Memphis. When this music became mainstream in the fifties, rock ‘n’ roll was born, creating careers for artists like Aretha Franklin, The Drifters, and a guy named Elvis. The blues inspired rock groups on both sides of the ocean, the soulful sounds of Motown and Philadelphia, and hip hop/rap music. In this course, we listen to music clips to understand the evolution of rock ‘n’ roll, and how it produced social change and technological advancement worldwide. Historic recordings are presented, including the Georgia Sea Island Singers recorded by Alan Lomax, Delta blues artists, Chicago blues, and Memphis R&B. This course will be recorded. Students will have access to videos for the duration of the course.