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John Covach

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History of Rock, Part One

University of Rochester

About this Course

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This course, part 1 of a 2-course sequence, examines the history of rock, primarily as it unfolded in the United States, from the days before rock (pre-1955) to the end of the 1960s. This course covers the music of Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Phil Spector, Bob Dylan, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Cream, and many more artists, with an emphasis both on cultural context and on the music itself. We will also explore how developments in the music business and in technology helped shape the ways in which styles developed. 
Rock emerged in the mid 1950s as a blending of mainstream pop, rhythm and blues, and country and western--styles that previously had remained relatively separate. This new style became the music of the emerging youth culture and was often associated with teen rebellion. We will follow the story of how this rowdy first wave of rock and roll (1955-59) was tamed in the early 60s but came roaring back with the Beatles and the Rolling Stones and then went psychedelic by the end of the decade.

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Approx. 13 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: French, Portuguese (European), Serbian, Chinese (Simplified), Italian, Russian, English, Spanish

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Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Approx. 13 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: French, Portuguese (European), Serbian, Chinese (Simplified), Italian, Russian, English, Spanish

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.82/5 (170 Ratings)

John Covach

Professor of Music and Director

Institute for Popular Music

96,738 Learners

4 Courses

Offered by

University of Rochester

The University of Rochester is one of the nation's leading private universities. Located in Rochester, N.Y., the University provides exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary study and close collaboration with faculty through its unique cluster-based curriculum. Its College, School of Arts and Sciences, and Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences are complemented by its Eastman School of Music, Simon School of Business, Warner School of Education, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, School of Medicine and Dentistry, School of Nursing, Eastman Institute for Oral Health, and the Memorial Art Gallery.

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Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating97%(6,329 ratings)

Week

Week 1

1 hour to complete

Introduction

1 hour to complete

1 video (Total 4 min), 7 readings

2 hours to complete

The World Before Rock and Roll (1900-1955)

The Role of Tin Pan Alley in mainstream pop, the formation of a national audience through radio and the rise of television, the pre-rock pop of Frank Sinatra, Patti Page, and Les Paul and Mary Ford; rhythm and blues in the years before rock and roll; country and western and the rise of Nashville.

2 hours to complete

11 videos (Total 95 min)

11 videos

The Music Business in the First Half of the 20th Century7m

Radio and Regional vs National Audiences8m

The Stars of Pop Music Before Rock and Roll12m

Les Paul, Inventor - The Role of Technology6m

Origins of Country & Western (pre WWII)9m

The Rise of Nashville13m

Rhythm and Blues (Pre 1945)7m

Rhythm & Blues (Post 1945)11m

Regional R&B Radio in the 1950s6m

Doo Wop and Gospel6m

Hokum Blues and Sexual Lyrics5m

Week

Week 2

2 hours to complete

The Birth and First Flourishing of Rock and Roll (1955-59)

Chart crossover and cover versions, the first hits of Bill Haley, Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, and Little Richard, the rise of Elvis Presley, the music of Jerry Lee Lewis and Buddy Holly, the rise of American Bandstand, the payola scandal and the "death of rock and roll."

2 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 88 min)

Week

Week 3

1 hour to complete

The Demise of Rock and the Promise of Soul (1959-63)

Was this era the dark ages for rock music or was it a golden era cut short by the British invasion? The music of teen idols, the folk revival, early surf music, sweet soul, rockabilly pop, and girl groups. The Brill Building songwriters and the rise of the producer. Playlets and splatter platters.

1 hour to complete

9 videos (Total 81 min)

Week

Week 4

2 hours to complete

The Beatles and the British Invasion (1964-66)

The Beatles transform the UK music scene and then invade America. Other Beatles-type British bands. The London blues scene and the Rolling Stones. Other Stones-type bands. The Who and the Kinks.

2 hours to complete

10 videos (Total 83 min)

10 videos

Introduction3m

The Early 1960s in the US & UK11m

The Rise of the Beatles11m

Beatles as Students of American Pop Music5m

Beatles From Craftsmen to Artists9m

Blues in the UK4m

The Rolling Stones Emerge7m

The Stones in The States5m

Other British Bands10m

The Kinks and the Who12m

1 practice exercise

The Demise of Rock and the Promise of Soul (1959-63) and The Beatles and the British Invasion (16964-66)30m

Reviews

4.8

310 reviews

5 stars
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TOP REVIEWS FROM HISTORY OF ROCK, PART ONE

by MMMay 28, 2020

This is a very comprehensive course. I learned a lot about both the major and lesser-known bands important in the rise of rock music. I am looking forward to taking part two of this course.

by GKFeb 1, 2016

Must know for anyone that is interested in where all (most) current/popular music stems from. Explains origins of most American/European music genres.

by RWAug 15, 2018

These two courses we're very fun compared to most.They we're very informative but important for anyone working in the music business.thanks

by SJul 19, 2020

packed with info and insights , very useful as I have researched Bob Dylan ( my Mphil )and Mark Knopfler ( Phd ). i hope to offer a course on rock poetics and politics

View all reviews

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History of Rock, Part One

History of Rock, Part One

About this Course