When is World Rock and Roll Day? Let's celebrate World Rock and Roll Day

I love Rock and Roll. This is an incredibly revolutionary form of self-expression that can change a person so that he no longer recognizes himself.

Nick Cave

Rock and roll is the music of freedom, which exploded the measured 50s, has become a classic today and is not inferior in popularity to other musical generations, while having an incredible number of fans.

Incendiary rhythm, crazy drive and dancing couples doing real... acrobatic stunts– it was a challenge to society and established “white” traditions. Born from musical preferences of various cultural layers, which became a way of life for many, rock and roll spread like a fever across the globe.

World Rock-n-roll Day is still not officially recognized by the UN General Assembly, but this will not stop music lovers around the world from celebrating its 61st anniversary April 13 2015. And some will celebrate and 12th, because debate about when rock and roll was actually born is still ongoing among fans.

The history of Rock and Roll Day

Confusion with dates associated with the entry one of the first rock and roll hits - “Rock Around the Clock”(“Rock Around the Clock”), by American musician Bill Haley. According to one version, the song was recorded late in the evening of April 12, 1954, according to another - at night.

A year later, the same composition became the soundtrack to the film “School Jungle,” which was released on American screens and shocked the conservative older generation rebellious behavior of youth.

With the release of the tape, rock and roll gained wild popularity. And in overcoming racial prejudice new music played, perhaps, a greater role than the activities of individual politicians of that time.

The wild mixture of country and rhythm and blues frightened decent white Americans who considered order, stability and strict moral principles the pillars of well-being. But rhythmic, loud and full of life melodies erased all boundaries and broke barriers.

To popularize musical creativity African Americans, without scaring the conservative population, and to circumvent the ban on "racial" music, Cleveland radio disc jockey Alan Freed coined the term " rock-and-roll" More precisely, he borrowed it from the sailors who called sea rolling that way. And the name stuck.

The new direction gave the world such stars as Little Richard, Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, James Brown and many others. Rock and roll became the direction that brought the Beatles and Rolling Stone s.

Rock and Roll Day Celebrations

On this day, rock and roll performances are held in nightclubs. dance parties, concerts are held in cities. Fans get together to listen to old records and have a lot of fun.

Interesting facts related to rock and roll

1. “Rock Around the Clock” became the most popular song among many compositions written in a new style. But since this music did not yet have a name, it was announced on records and radio stations as a foxtrot.

2. According to the Guinness Book of Records, the hit “Rock around the clock” became the best-selling rock and roll single, released by the group and second in sales for the whole modern history pop music. The record sold 25 million copies.

3. Opened on the shores of Lake Erie in Cleveland in 1995 Rock and Roll Fame Museum. Reminiscent of his architectural form a bird with spread wings, it represents freedom, which this music gave to the world.

4. Elvis Presley singles headed music rating Billboard magazine 151 times. And the artist himself is recognized as the best-selling in history.

5. The same legendary Elvis is listed in the Guinness Book of Records, as a musician who released greatest number albums that became hits – 97. In total, Presley’s work includes 150 albums, and the total number of records released to date has exceeded a billion copies.

6. According to Forbes magazine, the King of Rock and Roll also headed list of the most rich people, whose income has been growing since their death.

7. The most grandiose concert ever organized, held Rolling group Stones in Toronto (Canada) in 2003. The performance was attended by 490 thousand people. They also conducted the most successful world tour, which in 2005 brought the musicians $437 million.

Freedom beyond time and space is the quintessence of rock and roll. And it doesn’t matter what day you celebrate this wonderful holiday, just live to the rhythm of the music!

World Rock-n-roll Day is not just a holiday, but a whole and unique era. Once started, it will never end. This is especially true for people for whom this musical direction has become the meaning and way of life. If you like drive, fiery dances, incredible expression, parties, it means that you are a like-minded person of millions of people around the world who celebrate World Rock and Roll Day on April 13.

history of the holiday

The holiday is celebrated annually on April 13, although historical event, which served as the basis for the holiday, happened a day earlier: on April 12, 1954, Bill Haley recorded the single “Rock Around The Clock”, which became a landmark in a new musical direction that quickly crossed the borders of the United States and spread across countries and continents, challenging society and traditions.

Legendary " The Beatles", Elvis Presley, Bill Haley, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis - these names are known to every person who loves music even a little. The real underground of the mid-20th century, shocking and rhythmic, crazy and stunningly popular - this is exactly what rock and roll was at the time of its emergence. Its basis is rhythm and blues mixed with black jazz.

Who would have thought that the courage of disc jockey Alan Freed would be the beginning of a whole musical era. He became the person who was not afraid to present to the public something new that was radically different from the musical tastes of that time with sentimental sentiments. In 1954, Bill Haley recorded the first single in this genre, “Rock Around The Clock.” Some sources claim that this is significant event took place on the night of the 12th to the 13th, so the second date was chosen for the celebration.

(World Rock-n-roll Day) is a celebration of like-minded people for whom rock and roll has become not only music, but a style and way of life.

The holiday is celebrated annually, although the historical event that served as the basis for the holiday occurred a day earlier: in 1954, Bill Haley recorded the single “Rock Around The Clock,” which became a landmark in the new musical direction, which quickly crossed the borders of the United States and spread throughout the countries and continents, challenging society and tradition.

In the mid-20th century, shortly after World War II, people sought peace and a slow-paced life. Nobody wanted shocks. The music of that period was a reflection of public sentiment - calm and sentimental, with sweet-voiced vocals. On the official musical Olympus The United States promoted the idea of ​​​​protecting white culture from wild culture blacks and create a good image of a respectable American.

Along with official music, there was something completely different in America - loud, rhythmic, full of life- rhythm and blues. One evening, Cleveland radio disc jockey Alan Freed took it upon himself to play rhythm and blues records on air. And in order not to shock the “white” public, he came up with another name for it - “rock and roll”. Thanks to Alan Freed, disguised rhythm and blues sounded in full force, becoming accessible to everyone, regardless of skin color.

The first white rock and roll star was singer-guitarist Bill Haley. His cocktail of rhythm and blues, country and street slang was a resounding success.

Bill Haley and his hit "Rock around the Clock"

Among the founders of the direction was the legendary Elvis Presley, who became the idol of teenagers and youth. His clothing style, manners and movements became an example to follow.

In the early 1960s appeared a new style in rock and roll - pop rock. The Fab Four launched an epidemic of “Beatlemania” into the world with their compositions.

In 1964, " Rolling Stones", characterized by a fast, powerful and technical sound. Psychedelic rock was born in the 1970s, prominent representatives which the groups “Pink Floyd”, “ Deep Purple», « Led Zeppelin», « Black Sabbath" This decade is considered the golden era in the development of rock culture.

The end of the seventies saw the emergence of punk rock ("trashy rock"). Simplified musical scheme brought vocals and lyrics to the fore. They often contained criticism of the government, politics, and wealthy sections of society. On the wave of punk, the groups “Sex Pistols”, “The Clash”, “Stooges”, Iggy Pop took off. In the 1980s there appeared female rock, and in the practical 1990s, the brightest rock and roller was Kurt Cobain and his band Nirvana.

Russian rock originated in the USSR in the second half of the 20th century under the influence of western music. Among the earliest groups were “Falcon”, “Scythians”, “Skomorokhs” and “Slavs” created by Alexander Gradsky. The wave of Beatlemania that reached the USSR led to the creation of its own rock band in almost every school. Some of these groups later became the main faces of the 1970s scene, including the famous “Time Machine”. But the spread of rock and roll was held back Soviet policy cultural censorship.

Viktor Tsoi and the Kino group

Despite this, by the early 1980s, a full-fledged rock movement had formed in the USSR. “The Thaw” gave birth to groups in the “new wave” style - “Kino”, “Alice”, “AuktYon”, “Obermaneken”, “Strange Games” and others.

In 1985, the Moscow Rock Laboratory was opened, which allowed the capital's bands to legalize their activities. Popularity comes to the groups “Nautilus Pompilius”, “Zoo” and “Brigade S”.

The end of the 1980s was marked by the final emergence of Russian rock from the underground.

Today, rock music has many directions: from light danceable rock and roll to brutal aggressive grindcore. The lyrics range from casual and playful to dark, deep and philosophical. Rock music is often contrasted with pop music, although there is no clear boundary between the concepts of “rock” and “pop”. Many musical phenomena balance on the brink between them.

The song was written in 1952 American musicians Max Friedman and James Myers, but it gained widespread success only in the recording of Bill Haley. The question of whether the song is truly the very first rock and roll recording is still open, but what exactly it played decisive role in the development and popularization of the genre - this is unambiguous. In addition, the single with the song became one of the best-selling singles in the history of music.

Elvis Presley - Hound Dog (1956)

The song was actually first recorded by blues singer Big Mama Thornton in August 1952. It has been covered many times, but Elvis Presley's version is the most famous. The King of Rock and Roll heard it performed Freddie bands Bell and the Bellboys. Having asked the band leader if he was okay with him performing their song, and having received permission, Presley included it in his concert program since May 16, 1956. He managed to give the composition a comic originality, which the singer did quite often in his recordings. The song performed by him has always enjoyed particular success with the public.

Carl Perkins - Blue Suede Shoes (1956)

Blue Suede Shoes is another song covered by Elvis Presley, but it was originally written by Carl Perkins. The composition was the fourth for the musician and brought him the greatest popularity. Moreover, the original idea for the song belonged to Johnny Cash. In the fall of 1955, he toured Texas and the South with Perkins and Presley. Cash told a story about a pilot he met while serving in Germany, and mentioned that he was wearing these strange blue suede boots. Cash invited Perkins to compose a song about them, to which he initially refused - they say, he doesn’t understand shoes, what should he write about? And only then, while in Arkansas, the musician heard a guy say to his girlfriend: “Don’t step on my blue shoes.” suede shoes!”. And so a hit was born.

Little Richard - Tutti Frutti (1955)

Translated from Italian, Tutti Frutti means “all fruits.” The song became Little Richard's first hit. In 2010, it was inducted into the Library of Congress as the most iconic song of the era. The musician's text, full of jargon and words unusual for the ear of the average listener, was corrected before recording by Dorothy Labostrie. Little Richard added one of the most famous exclamations in the history of rock and roll to the song - “you-bama-luma-a-you-bam-boom!” The composition was later performed by Elvis Presley and included in the 1956 album of the same name.

Chuck Berry - Johnny B. Goode (1958)

It is probably difficult to name a song that has been covered more often by a variety of musicians - from Elvis Presley and The Beatles to the Sex Pistols and Green Day. The composition rightfully takes first place in the “100” rating greatest songs of all times and peoples” according to Rolling Stone. Written back in 1955, it was released only three years later as a single of the same name. It tells about a simple illiterate boy who managed to amaze everyone with his guitar playing. Interestingly, the title of the song is not only the first and last name of its main character. It sounds like English expression Johnny Be Good - “Johnny, be kind.” And you all probably remember how it was performed by Marty McFly in Back to the Future- according to the plot, Chuck Berry did not write the song, but heard it on the phone from his cousin Marvin, who, in turn, heard it at a school party.

Jerry Lee Lewis - Great Balls Of Fire (1957)

The song, recorded and performed in 1957 by Jerry Lee Lewis, was also included in the film Jamboree made the same year, in which the author himself performed it. Also featured in the film were Carl Perkins, Fats Domino, Buddy Knox and Dick Clark. The composition reached the first positions in the British chart, as well as on the Billboard list. In 1989, it served as the title for a biopic about the musician.

The Champs - Tequilla (1958)

The only instrumental composition in our selection and the most famous in our genre. The word “tequila” is repeated only three times. Initially, the musicians played the motive as an improvisation, and only then added “text”. It is believed to have the same rhythmic structure as Bo Diddley's Dearest Darling.

Fats Domino - Ain't That A Shame (1955)

The song was written in 1955 by Fats Domino and Dave Bartholomew. What is noteworthy is that the song achieved its first success only after it was re-recorded by Pat Boone, a white musician. However, soon the palm returned to original version, and only then many performers and groups began to cover other Domino songs. In particular, this song was the first that John Lennon learned to play.

Eddie Cochran - Summertime Blues (1958)

The song was written by Eddie Cochran himself and co-written by Jerry Capehart. It was based on Cochran's hard guitar riff, which Capehart liked so much that he decided to turn it into a complete composition. The song touches on social issues, which is generally considered uncharacteristic of rock and roll of the fifties, but it is presented with a certain amount of irony: it sings about young man, who is forced to work all summer to get at least some pennies. The composition was ready very quickly and recorded immediately.

Gene Vincent - Be-Bop-A-Lula (1956)

The song was written by Gene Vincent himself and his manager Bill Davis. According to some sources, the musician wrote the song while he was in the hospital after a motorcycle accident. The text allegedly belongs to Donald Graves, whom Vincent met during treatment and was later bought by Davis for $50. According to another version, Davis wrote the lyrics when he heard the song Don’t Bring Lulu. One way or another, in early 1956, Vincent recorded a demo version of the track and sent it to record company Capitol Records, where they were just looking for a rival to Elvis Presley. On May 4, 1956, the song was recorded. It immediately began to sell very well and took seventh place on the Billboard chart.

Today, April 13, is Rock and Roll Day all over the world. On this day, many fans of this style organize events to popularize the culture of this music, emphasizing its influence on the lifestyle of several generations.

It is worth noting that although Rock and Roll Day is celebrated on April 13, the basis for the holiday was an event that happened a day earlier (April 12) in 1954. Then Bill Haley recorded a new single, “Rock Around The Clock,” which became a landmark for the new musical direction, which quite quickly managed to overcome the borders of the United States, and then spread across various states and continents, which became a challenge for traditions and society.

In the middle of the 20th century, shortly after the end of World War II, people all over the world wanted peace and a more measured life, in which there would be as little as possible various shocks. The music of this time was a reflection of these aspirations and hopes. It was quite calm, Vocalists were selected with the appropriate voice. Official music in the United States tried to promote as high as possible the idea of ​​​​delineating the culture of whites against the “savage” culture of African Americans and to form a model of a respectable citizen of the state.

In addition to the music that was officially supported, completely different music could be found in the United States. She was distinguished by loudness, dynamism, greater rhythm, and, in the opinion of the general public, she was distinguished by her love of life. It was rhythm and blues. At that time, at one of the Cleveland radio stations, disc jockey Alan Freed decided to take an unprecedented step at that time - to broadcast a recording of a new style of music. At the same time, in order not to shock the audience of representatives of the “white” public by the fact that they were listening to the condemned rhythm and blues, he announced his own name, invented on the fly - “rock and roll”.

It was with the help of Alan Freed, who uniquely “disguised” rhythm and blues, that this direction became completely new round development. They stopped distinguishing him by the skin color of the musicians. Among the “white” performers, the first famous musician became performer Bill Haley. He presented his own compositions to the public, the basis for which was guitar music. He presented listeners with a mixture of country and rhythm and blues, seasoned with street slang, which brought him stunning success at that time.

One of the founders and main popularizers of the trend was the legendary Elvis Presley, who quickly became an idol for many teenagers. His style of clothing, movements on stage, and demeanor became an example for young people to follow. In the early years of the 1960s, a new style called pop rock broke away from rock and roll.

Natives from Liverpool have gathered a huge number of fans with the help of their own compositions. In fact, Beatlemania has become something of an epidemic. In 1964, fans of the genre became acquainted with the music of the Rolling Stones, which was distinguished by a fairly powerful, fast and technical sound. After this, psychedelic rock arose in the 1970s, the prominent representatives of which were such groups as Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin. It was this decade that began to be considered the golden era of the development of rock culture.

At the end of the seventies, another new style appeared - punk rock. For this direction, texts and vocals became priorities. Representatives of this trend quite often criticized politics, the government, politics, as well as representatives of the wealthy sections of society. This period brought quite a lot of popularity to the groups “Sex Pistols”, “Stooges”, “The Clash”. During the 1980s, the culture of rock was replenished with a “female” version, and in the practical 1990s, the most bright musician Kurt Cobain and Nirvana became rock and roll.

The concept of “Russian rock” arose in the USSR in the 20th century precisely under the influence of the music of Western countries. Most early groups became “Falcon” by Alexander Gradsky, “Skomorokhs”, “Scythians” and “Slavs”. Beatlemania reached the states of the USSR and led to the formation of its own rock band in almost every school. Some groups reached the top of the scene in the 1970s. Among them is the well-known “Time Machine”. However, the spread of rock and roll proved difficult due to the influence of censorship.

Despite this, in the first years of the 1980s, a full-fledged rock movement was formed on the territory of the USSR. The followers of the “Thaw” were groups performing compositions in the “new wave” style. The most famous among them were “Alice”, “Kino”, “Obermanken”, “AuktYon” and “Strange Games”. The turning point The development of rock on the territory of the USSR was the creation in 1985 of the Moscow Rock Laboratory, which allowed the capital's groups to completely legalize their own activities. It was then that the groups “Zoo”, “Nautilus Pompilius”, “Brigade S” and others gained popularity.

The end of the 1980s was the time when Russian rock came out of the underground. Today, rock has received a huge number of different directions. Among them are fairly “light” dance rock and roll and brutal grindcore. The semantic content of the lyrics is also quite different. You can find both casual humorous motives and descriptions of rather gloomy events. Pop music is most often contrasted with rock, but there is no clear boundary between the concepts themselves today. Most directions modern music represent something borderline at the junction of these two concepts.