19-1 AND19-2
Short Quiz
Answer on Back of Note
Sheet!
Short Quiz
3. What are the
characters and
symbols in the
cartoon, and what
does each one
represent?
2. How do the words
help you identify the
cartoonist’s intention?
3. What action is
taking place in the
cartoon?
4. What opinion is the
cartoonist expressing?
5. What is the
message?
Popular Culture
Chapter 19 Section 3
The New Era of Mass Media
• The 1950’s saw a lot of new trends in mass media, the largest though
had to be the television.
• At first the TV was not anything to be very excited about especially
compared to today’s standards. There was limited programs and at first
only started out on the East Coast with 2 hours of programming a week!
• The development of microwave relays
however made it possible for TV signals
to be transmitted over longer distances.
By 1956 the FCC cleared 500 new
stations to be broadcast. It was the start
of the “golden age” of TV.
• Radio was not the forefront in advertising anymore, but they did strive
in reporting the local news, music, and weather.
• Even though the movies could not compete with the convenience of TV,
the industry still had an advantage in sound, picture, and size. Theaters
even tried 3D movies with special glasses and other novelties to keep
movie goers coming.
Emerging of a Subculture
• Although TV and mass media had become a hit in the U.S. not everyone
was in favor of how the mass media portrayed America.
• The “beat movement” expressed how artist, poets, and musicians did not
want to conform to the new American way of life.
• The “beatniks” or beat followers sought to
live a life of non-conformity and rejected
normal. Along with this the beatniks were
known for using music, Buddhism, and
even drugs to reach a higher
consciousness.
•
The beatnik way of not working, not
watching TV, or not owning a home may
not sound the most appealing but it did
rouse the imaginations of many college
students.
African Americans and Rock ‘n’ Roll
In the early 50’s the “Rhythm and Blues” music was becoming a hit with its
electronic instruments and traditional blues melodies.
But soon came a different music that local
Ohio DJ, Alan Freed promoted. This music
had an up tempo beat with a mix of R&B,
country , and the blues. It was called Rock n
Roll, an American music.
Muddy Waters, “aint nothin but the blues
sped up”
Names like Chuck Berry, Bill Haley, and of
course Elvis Presley brought rock n roll to
the peak of its popularity and to the
teenage youth of the 1950’s.
Because of live performances from these rock n roll stars, many adults began to
condemn the artists and their music. In a few cites rock n roll concerts were
banned and parents began to believe it would lead to teenage rebellious
behavior and delinquency.
The Racial Gap
Even though the birth of rock n roll was heavily influenced by African
Americans, they were still broadcasted on separate stations and channels.
They were playing the same music and still were not equal.
At one point in the 1950’s there was 250 radio stations nationwide that
were specifically aimed towards African American listeners.
Along with rock n roll, African
American musicians were well known
for a style of music called Jazz. Jazz
was a blend of smooth melodies with
the use of improvisation from the
performers.
Many famous singers and artist were
born from the Jazz genre of music.
Such as: Nat King Cole, Charlie Parker,
Lena Horne and Miles Davis.
Origins of Rock ‘n’ Roll
The major influence on Rock ‘n’ Roll is actually rooted in rhythm and blues style
music. This was a primarily African American style of music. Willie Mae
Thornton was the first to record “Hound Dog” but Elvis remade it shortly after.
Elvis was notorious for his dance moves especially in his Ed Sullivan performance.
A Look Ahead: Voyager 1
This space probe was launched in
the 1970s and is still out there
completing its mission. It contains
this golden disk that has
instructions on how to build a
phonograph and how to play the
record.
The record includes songs by
Chuck Berry, “Johnny Be Good.”
and “Dark Was the Night,” by
Blind Willie Johnson