The Story of Rock and Roll - 1951 to 1966

This six-week course explores the explosion of creativity in American and British popular music, starting with the birth of rock and roll through to the British Invasion. Styles to be discussed include rockabilly, Brill Building pop, surf rock, folk, and more. The social and historical context of this music – including a growing youth culture and changing race relations – will also be examined. From Elvis Presley and Bob Dylan, to the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, the music of the 1950s and early 1960s exerted a cultural influence that lives on to the present.

Keith McCuaig is a part-time professor at the University of Ottawa; has taught 40 courses through Carleton University’s now-defunct Lifelong Learning Program; and has presented at international musicology conferences. From performing and giving music lessons, to lecturing and working with community music programs, Keith’s life and passion is music.

Week 1 - January 5 
This course will start with the pre-rock and roll period, including the socio-cultural context for the emergence of rock and roll, and some major figures (Big Joe Turner, Big Mama Thornton). The focus this week will be on early rock and roll, including DJ Alan Freed; Northern rockers Bill Haley and His Comets; and New Orleans artists like Little Richard and Fats Domino.

Week 2 - January 12
Continuing in the early rock and roll period, we’ll look at the rockabilly scene in Memphis, Tennessee. Early rockabilly artists such as Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Wanda Jackson will be covered. The Chicago R&B scene will also be covered, including important early rock and roll figures Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley. 

Week 3 - January 19
This week will be spent discussing the so-called “Transition Period,” 1958-1963. Some highlights include Brill Building Pop, Girl Groups, Phil Spector, Roy Orbison, the Everly Brothers, and Surf Rock (the Beach Boys, Dick Dale). 

Week 4 - January 26
After finishing up the “Transition Period,” we’ll start on the folk section. We’ll look at the context for the folk revival of the 1950s and 1960s, and discuss artists like Woodie Guthrie, Peter, Paul and Mary, Bob Dylan and more.   

Week 5 - February 9 
Continuing in the folk section, we’ll look at folk rock (the Byrds, Bob Dylan) and the singer-songwriter genre (Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen). We’ll also start on the British Invasion section. 

Week 6 - February 23
The British Invasion will be covered, including the context for the emergence of UK acts in the US. Focus will be on the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, but other groups like the Who and the Kinks will also be covered.