Culture and Music Essay - 921 Words

Culture and Music George Gershwin once said, â€Å"True music must repeat the thought and inspirations of the people and the time. My people are Americans and my time is today.† Over the years, no form of art has attached itself to humanity more than music. Music has been creating and destroying cultures in the Twentieth Century at a very rapid rate. Fads come and go, but true music and the heart behind it never dies. The story of subcultures in and through modern music has to start in the 1920’s America. In the wake of prohibition, popular nightclubs were closing down and music fell by the wayside. However, a strong underground scene reared its head during that time as well. Well-dressed men and flapper girls swarmed†¦show more content†¦Hitler viewed the swing generation as traitors to their country and would often punish those caught in the act of listening to swing music. This entire ordeal was portrayed cinematically in 1993 in the movie â€Å"Swing Kids† dir ected by Thomas Carter. That movie depicts the brutality and horror of the times while showing the courage and heart of those who lived in them. (Author’s Opinion: I recommend renting that movie as soon as possible!) In the 1950’s something completely crazy happened in the United States. Colonel Tom Parker introduced the world to its future. Rock and Roll was born in the 1950’s. Most people credit the foundation of modern Rock and Roll to a few youngsters namely Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly and Bill Haley of Bill Haley and the Comets. Rock and Roll was making a serious impact on American lifestyles at that time and most older people did not agree with it at all. Parents forbade their children to listen to this new â€Å"Devil’s Music† and protested Rock and Roll’s growing success every step of the way. However, if one cliche stood true in this time its that â€Å"You can’t stop the Youth.† America’s youth loved this new fast paced, racy music and was going to listen no matter what they were told. Rebels without a cause were these teenage subculture heroes. Leather clad greasers sat in Rock and Roll diners eating French Fries and drinking sodas while â€Å"Rock Around the Clock† blasted out of the jukebox. The youth of the day were taking aShow MoreRelatedMusic Culture And The Music Industry1090 Words   |  5 PagesRobert, has experienced, first hand, the vast changes in the music industry. The first step into the music culture was at the start of middle school when my dad joined the school band. Playing the trumpet and baritone was the bait that caused him to become immersed in music. This initial love of music led to the creation of a garage band with a group of friends adding piano and guitar to the mix. 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