The 1950's was a time of cultural advancement. Falling right after WWII, the 50's were a time of celebration. About three years in began the Cold War. Around the same time began the Korean War. Despite the wars going on left and right, America was growing culturally through the inventions of cars, fast food, suburbs, highways, and not to mention rock and roll. With the use of cars, fast food, and highways, accessibility and connivence grew. Believe it or not, but suburbs also provided accessibility and convience due to its community oriented layouts, (including community pools and houses grouped together for miles). Suburbs also provided a great sense of community! Suburbs also enforced gender roles, as they enforced women to stay home and take care of the house and kids meanwhile me went to work. Rock and roll was very popular in the 50's as that was the time period it was born in. Many artists are still played modernly, for example Elvis Presley. Another popular activity in the 1950's were sports, particularly Baseball. Lastly, the 50's were the beginning of the civil rights era. In 1954, the Brown vs. Board of Education case ruled that schools were to start integrating the different races together, although this didn't start happening until the 1960's.
Taking a closer look at music in the 1950's...
The 50's was the birth era of rock and roll. Traditional instruments in rock and roll include electric guitars, drums, bass, piano, and occasionally saxophone. Some famous singers and bands were Elvis Presley, Ray Charles, and Chuck Berry. The earlier forms of rock and roll sound a bit like jazz, but the further in time you go, it sounds more like modern, head-banging, rock and roll music you can listen to now on the radio. There were also different types of rock and roll singers. Some had more of a country edge and others a more "black roots" sound. In the 1960's was the time of British rock and roll including the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Rock and roll was a care-free type of music more appealing to the younger generations, and its target was more for teenagers. It also tied in black culture too as many black artists came to rise. Lastly, it influenced dance styles like the jitterbug, sock hops, and gym floor dances.
