Rock And Roll In American Culture

Rock and Roll began with jazz, blues, folk, and gospel, and from there, it has morphed into the almost all-encompassing classification that we label the genre today. Throughout the history of Rock and Roll music, it has been an example of evolution, not just in the music industry, but in American culture. The history of Rock and Roll is intertwined with our nation’s history, oftentimes being a catalyst for our country's progress. Today, Rock and Roll exists as a beautiful collection of sounds and styles, much of which can be traced back to women who chose to stand out from the crowd. Billie Holiday, one of the earliest influences in Rock and Roll, helped lay the foundation for this musical genre. Holiday, a woman well beyond her time, …show more content…
The women of Rock and Roll celebrate their differences, while simultaneously recognizing the common thread between them, their womanhood. I think that the legendary Billie Holiday put it best, “If I'm going to sing like someone else, then I don't need to sing at all.” Holiday's words became an essential concept surrounding Rock and Roll by inspiring artists to express their unique styles. Holiday’s words encouraged performers, especially women, to recognize the differing attributes they brought to the table, while also emboldening Rock and Roll to embrace musical incongruity; meshing these two pivotal philosophies into one, created this distinct genre. One of my all-time favorites, and a woman whose voice knew no boundaries, Etta James, is remembered as one of the pioneers of Rock and Roll. James's voice, tinged with pain, reverberates her story of hope and power into my ears; her style represents where she came from and explores who she is. James set the example for Rock and Roll to encourage artists to incorporate their distinct characteristics into their music, breeding an environment of individualistic sounds. Bonnie Raitt, a woman who attributes the blossoming of her love for Rock and Roll partially to the harmonious voice of Etta James, manifests these values. Raitt, unlike James, sings …show more content…
Living in a society that equates weakness with womanhood, it is immeasurable to have fierce and talented woman, like the female artists of Rock and Roll, working to stomp this myth out: in the words of a fellow nasty women, Joan Jett, “Girls have got balls. They're just a little higher up.” Jett, along with the other female artists in Rock and Roll, have dedicated their lives to pushing this genre, and our society forward; through their songs, performances, and voices, these women remind me that I am strong and powerful, despite what our society may try to convince