This essay is about the history of Rock and Roll and how it changed society.

Rock and Roll- A Great Movement in Music

The type of music that later became known as "rock and roll" evolved in the mid 1950's. It was a combination of jazz, rhythm and blues, country, and gospel sounds. One of the reasons rock and roll was said to have such a great impact on society at the time was mainly due to the fact that it broke the "race barriers" of the time. During the 1950's, the greater part of the United States, in particular the South, was segregated, with blacks on one side and whites on the other. However, rock musicians were both black and white, and listeners really didn't seem to care what color the performer was.

February 7, 1964. A monumental date in the history of rock music. Why, you ask? Well, it was on this date that a band out of Liverpool, England came to the United States.

The Beatles' Rock 'n' Roll Music, Vol. 2, from 198...

Rock & Roll Music to the World

Rock and Roll Music

This band was The Beatles, one of the most popular rock and roll sensations in history. The Beatles created a frenzy in the U.S. as they became a model for rock and roll. It was during this time period that the British seemed to claim rock music. However, from the music of the Beatles emerged a new type of rock music, which became known as folk rock. This type of music, also popularized by singers like Bob Dylan, put an emphasis on lyrics. The Beatles demonstrated this style as their music became more sophisticated, and their lyrics focused more on issues of the day.

Singers like Ray Charles started another style of rock and roll that arose during the 1960's. Ray Charles combined romance and love lyrics with church music to form an "upbeat, gospel style of rock and roll". This type of "black music", as it was...