Chapter 2: "BROWN-EYED HANDSOME MAN"

Key Themes:

• The intersection of rock ’n’ roll and racial integration during the 1950s.

• The deep influence of African American culture on the development of rock ’n’ roll.

• The racial barriers, tensions, and challenges faced by black musicians in a segregated society.

• The role of rock ’n’ roll in shaping the Civil Rights Movement and public discourse on race relations.

The Civil Rights Context of the 1950s:

• Brown v. Board of Education (1954) declared racial segregation in schools unconstitutional, escalating racial tensions.

• The Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-56) and the rise of Martin Luther King Jr. marked a turning point in the fight for civil rights.

• The Little Rock Nine (1957) faced extreme resistance when attempting to integrate Central High School, requiring federal intervention.

African American Influence on Rock ’n’ Roll:

• Rock ’n’ roll was largely derived from African American musical styles, particularly rhythm and blues (R&B), gospel, and blues.

• Key pioneers of R&B and rock ’n’ roll:

  • Chuck Berry: Known for witty, observational lyrics and electric guitar riffs.

  • Little Richard: A flamboyant performer whose energetic style and raw vocals pushed musical boundaries.

  • Fats Domino: Blended boogie-woogie and R&B, appealing to both black and white audiences.

• Black musicians were instrumental in shaping the sound of rock ’n’ roll, yet often struggled to receive credit and financial compensation.

Resistance to Rock ’n’ Roll and Racial Integration:

• Many white adults viewed rock ’n’ roll as a threat to social order, associating it with race-mixing, juvenile delinquency, and sexual immorality.

• Southern segregationists saw rock ’n’ roll as a tool of the Civil Rights Movement, believing it would encourage interracial relationships.

• Asa Carter, a Ku Klux Klan leader, denounced rock ’n’ roll as "savage" and "un-American."

• Public officials attempted to ban rock ’n’ roll concerts, particularly in the South, to prevent interracial interaction.

The Economic Exploitation of Black Artists:

• Black musicians frequently had their songs "covered" by white artists who received higher record sales and radio play.

  • Example: Pat Boone’s sanitized versions of R&B songs, like Fats Domino’s "Ain’t That a Shame," often outsold the originals.

  • Big Mama Thornton’s "Hound Dog" was eclipsed by Elvis Presley’s version, despite her being the original performer.

• Many black artists received minimal financial compensation compared to white performers who repackaged their work.

Chuck Berry and Little Richard: Icons of Racial Challenge

1. Chuck Berry:

   • Master of storytelling through music, appealing to both black and white youth.

   • "Brown-Eyed Handsome Man" was a coded racial message celebrating black masculinity in a segregated America.

   • "Johnny B. Goode" depicted an ambitious black musician, though Berry changed the lyrics from "colored boy" to "country boy" to appeal to white audiences.

2. Little Richard:

   • His over-the-top performances and non-conformist style challenged both racial and gender norms.

   • Songs like "Tutti Frutti" (originally explicit) were modified for mainstream audiences.

   • Used heavy makeup and an exaggerated persona to appear non-threatening to white audiences while pushing cultural boundaries.

Rock ’n’ Roll as a Force for Integration:

• Despite opposition, rock ’n’ roll contributed to racial desegregation in American culture.

• Interracial audiences at concerts demonstrated that music could break down racial barriers, even if societal norms resisted it.

• Black and white teenagers shared a musical culture, leading to a slow but growing acceptance of integration.

• Music industry insiders such as Alan Freed promoted black musicians, helping R&B cross into the pop mainstream.

Conclusion:

• Rock ’n’ roll played a complex role in America’s racial struggles. While it provided opportunities for black artists, it also exposed deep-seated racism and economic exploitation.

• Black musicians were pioneers, yet systemic racism limited their financial and cultural recognition.

• The music contributed to greater social integration, setting the stage for the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s.

• The racial tensions surrounding rock ’n’ roll mirrored broader societal conflicts, proving that music could be a powerful agent of change but also a battleground for existing inequalities.