Rock and Roll Important Figures

Louis Armstrong

important jazz musician who has distinctive trumpet solos, is a jazz vocalist and used scat frequently. Some of his famous songs include “What a Wonderful World” (1967)

Duke Elington

A renowned foremost composer of jazz music who has cultivated a sophisticated compositional style. They performed in a band that performed at the Cotton Club

George Gerwin

Began his carear as a songplugger who promoted piano sheet music in Tin Pan Alley. He work his talents into broadway where he wrote music scuh as “Strike up the Band” and “I Gor Rhythm”. He compleated his largest composition Porgy and Bedd (1935) and died of brain tumor

Benny Good Man

One of the biggest band leaders of his era who poularized the swing era of jazz. Made a name for himself by playing in bands along side white cornettist Bix Beiderbecke. He hosted two radio shows for CBS and combined the best musician he could find.

Scott Joplin

The king of Ragtime and a accomplished pianist who honed his skills playing in clubs. He hired John stark to sell his copy of Maple Leaf Rag (1899) and sold half a million of copies.

W.C. Handy

“The Father of Blues” was seminal in commercializing the genre in the 1910s. He made a name for himself when he began ivncorporating the lurical hand harmonic form of the 12 bar blues. He published “Memphis blues” which started a craze through the nation.

Robert Johnson

Said to have sold his soul to the devil in exchange for his guitar abilities. He had recorded 29 songs and only 41 total takes in his lifetime. His guitar style with bass patten and wailing bottleneck responses, but tragically died bu being allegedly poisned by a huband

Huddie “Leadbelly”

introduced more songs to the public with a repertory of 500 songs in a Texas blues tradition. He was an accomplished guitar player. He had a heavy, rhythmic thumb picked syle of a 12 string guiar

Memphis Minne

A powerful rural blues singer with a powerful voice that joined a circus. She had impressive guitar skill sand great vocal technique and won against Big Bill Broonzy

Bessie Smith

“Empress of Blues” sang throughout the south as a kid and played along famous blues singer gertude “Ma” Raindey.Her superb ear for blue note and expressive singing capticated both white and black singers. Her rendition of “Nobody KNow you When your Down and Out” Served as an anthem during the great depression

Thomas A. Dorsey

“The father of black gospel music” teamed up with guitarist “Tampa Red” and recorded hits like “Its Tight like that” (1928) and “Terrible Operation Blues” (1930). He became a Director of Gospel Choirs and composed many gospel classics. He combined gospel music with jazz and R&B and got much backlash

Mahalia Jackson

gave gospel music a voice. Had a history in the church and her recording “Move ON Up aA Little Higher” was a smash hit that sold million of compies. Singing stlye was influnced by urban blues and refused to sing secular music. Was an influnce to Arethra Franklin and was ask to sing at MLK funeral

Louis Jordan

The most Influncial R&Bs performers.His band the Tympani Five adapted livley tempos of swing music to a smaller group of performers called jump blues. Played novelty and humor songs such as “Saturday Night Fish Fry” (1949) and much more. He had a high energy performance and charismatic stage presence

Charles ALbert Tindley

Founder of African AMerican gospel music, was slef educated and started from nothing. he had workd as aminster at a church for over 30 years and had over 10,00 members. He wrote many gospel songs such as “We’ll Understand it Better By and By” and “Stand By Me”

Maybelle Carter

The Carter Family was the most popular country groups. She provided an influncial persona for country muisc from then until now. Made the Carter scratch and formed a group with her three daughter. ONe famous song with the carter scratch is “Worried Man Blues”

Ralph Peer

responsible for transforming country music from a regional rural phenomenon to a national apeal. He was recording director of OKeh Records and supervised Mamie Smith. He founded SOuther Music Publishing company inc

Jimmie Rodgers

“The father of country music”. He drew on the blues and popular styles that became the first national star of country music. He sang and recorded for ralph peer and recorded a million record selling “t for Texas”

Hank Williams

An influencial country singer who signed with MGm records in 1947 and made songs “Move it one over” and “Lovecick blues: which helped him secure a spot on the Grand Ole Opry in 1949

Chuck Berry

the most important in early rock. H recorded his first hit which was a cover of “Ida red” which he changed into “Mayballene”. He had a signiture “duck walk” where he kick ed his right foot aross the stage while dragging his left behin it.

Ray Charles

Lost his sight due to glaucoma but that didnt stop him from learing instruments and becoming a traveling muscian. He signed with Atlantic Records in 1952 and recorded “I Got A Woman”. He got into the Rock and Roll hall of Fame and the R&B foundation. He had a souful and powerful vocal style

Alan Freed

Turned a classical progeam into The Moon Dog Show and had R&B black artist. he dubbed the name rock and roll even though it was a name for sex. His music show was for teenagers and began his new show The Rock and Toll party.He hosted a dance show called Dance party and was cancled because of his payola scandal.

Bill Haley

Th efirst star of rock and roll. He had a banned called Bill Haley and the comets that recorded “ Crazy, Man, Crazy” and it was their biggest song. He featured i nmay films. The song “ Rock Around The CLock” was a popular teenage song.

Jerry Leiber

Part of a song writing team with Mike Stoller and responsible for some of the most memorable songs of the 1950s and 1960s. Their first hit was with Mama thorntons recording of “Hound DOg”. There record label once with Spark Records was purchased by Atlantic. They also wrote “Jailhouse Rock”, “playets”, and “Yakety Yak”

Colonel Tom Parker

Famous Rock amnager who managed Elvis Presely and helped him advertsie and shielded him from the public.

Sam Phililps

A record Produced who founded his own label, Sun Records where he served as engineer, producer, and talent scount. He developed a slapback echo, and helped Elvis Produce “Thats all Right”, “Blue Moon of Kentucly” and “Mystery of Train”

Mike Stoller

Part of the songwrting team with Jerry Leiber, and formed their own record label Sparks Records. had the same profile as jerry

Johnny Cash

Dominant in American Pop for almost 50 years. Had a unique style frequently straddleed with rock and roll anc country. He made his first recording for Sun Records “hey Porter” (1955) and “Cry! Cry! Cry!He moved to Columbiea and contunued his success. He recoreded Johnny Cash at Folsom prison and more. He also hosted ABC (Johnny Cash Show)

Buddy Holly

He was signed by Decca in 1956, but was not successful. Then he behan with his band, The Crickits. They scored their first hit with “That’ll be the Day” and 15 more songs with Norman Petty. He died in a plane crash.

Jerry Lee Lewis

Known as the bad boy in rock and roll. He auditions for Sma Philips in 1956 and had hits ayear latter of “whole Lot Of Shakin Goin On” and “Great balls of Fire”. Then he has one last his “Breatheless'“ before he was balck listed because he dated his 13 year old cousin.

Chubby Checker

Recorded his song “The Twist” in 1960 which spawned th craze for the dance and made him and instant celebrity. never repeated his success agian

Dick Clark

“Americas Oldest Teenager” Dj and tv personality. He took over the local teen-oriented television show and renamed it American Bandstand and help launch the careers of many teen idols like Chubby Checker and fabian Forte. And artists like stevie wonder, and James brown

Gerry Goffin and Carole King

Songwriter and lyrical duo. Their first hit “Will you Love Me Tomorrow” and reached number one on the charts following many more songs. After their divorce one went the other continued writing.

Dick Dale

King of Surf Guita, he performed at local beaches and would experiment on different guitar sounds. He developed his signiture staccato playing style and heavy reverb sound. He formed the Del Tones and and released their first album Surfers Choice

The Coasters

amde humerous novelty songs penned by the songwriting teamed Jerry Leiber, and Mike Stoler. The group consisted of Carl Garderner, Cornel Gunterm Billy Guy, Will Jones and King Curtis.

Phil Spector

Most important record producer of all time and recorded his first song hit “ To know him is to love him” for his won band Teddy bare. He co founded and produced a series of hits bu girl groups in 1963. H made the famous wall of sound which included a lot of instruments that blend together

Brain WIlson

Had drug and metal health problems. He was the main songwrtier and arranger for the beach boys. He made the master peice album Pet Sounds with the best song being Good Vibrations

Brooker T and The Mgs

Formed in 1962, they made their first hit “Green Onions” which cameout of a jam session. Was a studio band for Stax Records, backing hundreds of recording by wilson pit etc. Core band was Steve Cropper, Booker T. Donald Dunn, and Ai Jackson Junior. Made the memphis sound

Sam Cooke

One of the inventors of sould music. JOined Soul stirris becoming the lead in th 50s. After a few singles he began to work solo release “‘You send me” and “What a Wonderful World”. reached crossover success and began his own piblishing company kags music

Arethra Franklin

Queen of sould. SHe recorded her first album “Songs of Faith”, recorded a few songs for Columbia before she began working with Atlantc, She recorded “Respect” and much more. She and her powerful voice and passionate deliverly made her famous.

Berry Gordy

After the war he ran a small jazz record, wrote strongs for Jackie Wilson. But began Motown Records in 1959 in which he began Motown Sound which utilizes multi track recordings and a specific sound. He also forced artist to have a specofoc look.

Smokey Robinson

The first and greatest talkented Detroit singers cultivated by MOtown. He wrote hit songs for Marvin Gaye and the Temptaions. He sang with the Miracles until 1972/ And made so many hits like “The track sof my Tears”

Brian Epstein

groomed the beatles by making them look nice, help them get signed, engineered the beatles, and securing them a deal on the Ed Sullivan Show

John lennon

Joined the beatles at 16 and had many songs inspired by him like “Help”, and “revolution”. He had a dark personality and his use of LSd and growing fationation with YOLO uno caused the band to split. Died from an assasintation

George Martin

Crafted the beathles sound. Supplied to bstring parts for the beatles, and was a composer writing the music for a james bond film.

Paul McCartney

rebelios and idealistic, conservatice, and amiable. His songs for the group was “yesterday” and “Penny land”. It discusses his intrest in every day topics. He release 16 artists as a solo. After the beatles brok up he created a band with his wife called Wings.

Mick Jagger

The lead singer and founding member of the “Worlds Greates Rock and Roll Band”. Charasmatic Stage presence, energetic perfoormance and him being a sex symbol made him the most influncial rock singers. Princible songwriter for the Rolling stone. He was a drug addict and starred in Ned Kelly.

Andre Loog Oldham

A hustler who was the driving force behind the rolling srone. He was the manager of the rolling stones and promoted them as being the bad boys rather than the clean cut beatles.

Keith Richards

Known for his musicla ability and creative forces behinf The rolling Stones. The principle songwriter for the band and provided lead vocals on a number of sonds. He was also known for his guitar playing and riffs.

Jeff Buck

KNown for his experimental approach to the instrument. In the ban Yard Birds Released two highly successful albums such as Blown by Blown and Wired. Frequently apeared as a guest both in live concerts and in the studio .

Eric Clapton

He has played with the Yardbirds, and Cream, but is now a main atrist. His technical percision melodic solos and influential tone had made him most imporant of the blues influnced british guitarist. Most of his songs are covers but he has written rock classics like “Layla”

Ray Davis

Best English soungwriter. Founded the ling in 1963, with his brother Dave Davies, Perter Quafie, and Mick Avory. Was the principly songwriter of the band. Ray Davies song “Lola” was a hit and brought th eband back in the public eye after a breakdown on stage.

Pete Townshed

He formed the Who with Roger Daltrey and JOhn Entwistle. He made a name for himself with his aggressive guitar playing, signiture arm swining and predilection for smashing guitars.

Paul Revere and the Raiders

Formed during 1958 Formed by organist Paul revere, singer mark linsday, Drake Levin, bassist Mike Holiday. Gained attention with “Beatnik Sticks” and “Like Long Hair”. First major single on their new label was a cover of “Louie Louie”. They were also the resident band for Where the Action Is

The Kingsmen

From Portland Oregon and recorded best one hit wonders. Jack Ely, Mike Mitchel, Non Nordby and Lynn Easton. Their was many legal settlements with the name, all in all, Easton and Mitchell scored a minor hit with “The Jolly Green Giant”

The Monkees

The band was formed by tv producer Bert Rafelson and Bob Schnider. The band is made up of Micheal Nesmith, Peter Tork, Davy Jones, and Mickey Dolenz. they were meant to be the American Beatles. They focused on their look rather than their talents. Popular songs is “Last Train to Clarksville” and “Im a Believer”

Bob Dylan

Was once Robert Zimmerman, performed on open mic nights in GReenwich Village. Signed Columbia Records. His song “Blowin in the WInd” and “The Times They are Changi” very important folk songs. helped bridge the gap betweek folk and rock styles.

Woody Gutthie

A folk singer who transformed th political activism. Placed a sign on his guitar that read “This Machine Kills Facist” Wrote more than 1000 songs.

Pete Seeger

Popularized left wing folk movement including Woody girthie. Co founded ALmanac SIngers in 1940 which specialized in union and antiwar songs, and The weavers. Popilized “We Shall Overcome”

Jimi Hendrix

After being discharged from the war, he began touring with club bands as a backup musician. With John Mitch they released three albums. With is loud distortion and unique guitar style he was easily heard in sonfs. He covered bob dylan and is a compositional instrument.

Grace slick

A singer for Jefferson Airpane. She had a band that split up called th Great Society. She joined Jefferson Airplane to make hits like “white Rabbit. Famous during the psychedelic era. One of the first female rock stars.

Donovan

Leading figure in Psychedelic rock. He is able to combine elements from folk, blues, jazz, aclassical, Latin, and Indian Music.

Jerry Garcia

A hippie that is known as the guitarist for the Greatful Dead and for his heavy drug use. Incredibly versatile and proficient at guitar banjo and many other instruments. Colaborated with many performers like Jefferson Starship. One great album from their band is The Anthem of Sun (1998)

Phil Lesh

Best bass guitarist for the Greatful Dead. Classically trained musician. Had a melodic style of bass playing. COmposed the badns songs like “Box of Rain” and “Unbroken Change”

Jimi Morrison

Lead singer and main lyricist for the Doors. A renowned poet with great lyrics and charisma. SOme memberal songs being “Break on Through” and “Light My fire”. Performed on TV multiple times and was arrested for a riot concert

Janis Joplin

Powerful blusey voice and electric stage presence made very popular. She sang “Peice of My Heart"“ and “Ball and Chain”. Formed her own band called the Kozmic Blues Band. She fired everyone on her band and joined a new one, and she died of a heroin overdose.

Country Joe Mc Donald

A singer for psychedelic badn called Country Joe and the Fish. Was equally active in political causes. “Electric Music for the Mind and body” was the first [sychedelic albus to come out of Sand francisco. This album was meant for listeners acid trips.

Raci Shankar

An indian musician who is noted for playing the shitar. Began to embrace rock musician and performed at the Montery Pop Festival and Woodstock Festival