Introduction to Rock and Roll

Rock and roll. Let's dive into this amazing, fun, vibrant, energetic, rebellious music that was born in America, stemming from various styles like blues, country, and gospel. All these elements collided to create something new, a sound representing the youth.

I'm not going to give you a big social history of rock and roll; there's plenty of books out there for that. Instead, let's focus on some of the musical origins, particularly through the music of Jerry Lee Lewis, one of my absolute favorites since my early days of playing the piano.

My Connection to Jerry Lee Lewis

In fact, it was this record here that my father bought me as a kid. I used to spin it on my record player at home, dashing back and forth between the record player and the piano, trying to work out what Jerry Lee Lewis was doing on that piano.

Elements of Rock and Roll

Let's talk briefly about rock and roll. It incorporates elements specific to American music:

• Rhythmic Aspects: Intensified with rock and roll.
• Harmonic Language: The major-minor harmonic structure prevalent in much of American music.

In some ways, rock and roll presents a simpler musical language compared to genres like boogie woogie, which has more complex bass lines and intricacies. If you listen to the work of Albert Ammons, Pete Johnson, and Mead Lux Lewis, you'll hear this complexity, which got distilled into the rock and roll style with repeated notes and a more straightforward vibe.

Little Richard vs. Jerry Lee Lewis

For instance, listen to Little Richard compared to Jerry Lee Lewis. Little Richard often had a relatively smaller palette of ideas. His left hand is generally quite basic, focusing on triadic changes.

• Attitude: Little Richard embodies the soul of rock and roll with his attitude, despite a simpler palette.

Little Richard often stood when he played the piano, which was quite groundbreaking at the time. When we get to Jerry Lee Lewis, his performance style is just outrageous, an energetic spectacle even today.

Jerry Lee Lewis's Performance Style

• Animated and Cool: He implements lots of kicking and showmanship.
• Mic Stand Gesture: He often placed the microphone stand right in the middle, which required him to maneuver around it to play.

We've all heard anecdotes about him lighting the piano on fire or kicking away his stool. A great moment from one of his earliest TV performances showcased him kicking the stool away with fantastic flair.

Breakdown of "A Whole Lot of Shakin' Goin' On"

Mr. Lewis truly breaks it down in songs like "A Whole Lot of Shakin' Goin' On." His left hand provides the rhythm while he waggles his finger suggestively. This kind of performance had rarely been seen in mass media before, though perhaps it had its roots in the clubs, especially black clubs, where Jerry Lee obtained much of his influence.

Conclusion

So, I think it's time to dive into some of Jerry Lee Lewis's music. First off, let's take a look at "A Whole Lot of Shakin' Goin' On."