The beginnings of rock

damonjewel

No one can say for sure who or where did rock exactly start. I would argue that the Kinks could have a claim to the title with the release of 'you really got me' in 1964, discuss!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvyDWGF290M

It wasn't me!

The King!

Undergod

Little Richard?

damonjewel

Elvis and Little Richard I would class as Rock n Roll, which really is a repackage of Rhythm and Blues imo. Which is all based around 12 bar blues. The kinks however have a riff, a decent solo, and is the template to the Rock sound.

starn

I think it's pretty much reonised that Ike Turner had the the first Rock and Roll song. Cant think of the name of it. Ill post it later

jellikit

Many people say that "rock around the clock" by Bill Haley and the Comets was the first rock song although Ike Turner, who died recently claimed that his song "rocket 88" to be the first true rock song. This was released 3 years before Bill Haleys hit. The first hit record to feature electric guitar was released in 1948 (I think) . The Kinks were probably the first to use that distorted guitar sound that evolved into modern rock and metal.

mike65

Rock is not rock 'n roll, the former is guitar dominated 4/4 the latter is more r 'n b influenced. The first RAWK song was proberbly said Kinks tune.

Mike.

funktastic

'Rocket 88' is the Ike Turner song.

MoominPapa

Probably is the Kinks, only other I can think of before You really got me is Hards Days Night which may or may not be considered Rock as it lacks the riff but it does have a suitably baroque solo in the middle and the one essential element of rock songs so far unmentioned: Cow Bell!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNf046Uo2gI

But considering Satisfaction and My Generation weren't released for a year or so after You really got me I think the Kinks were the first to have all the elements in place on a release anyway. Would be great if someone could come up with an alternative

KrazeeEyezKilla

I can remember some rock historian claiming that the first 'rock' song was Louie Louie.

damonjewel

I remember hearing about Link Wray and being one of the first to use distortion. Just checked this out, its quite funny

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9i-VAaLQ27o

Here is Rocket 88

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gbfnh1oVTk0

MoominPapa

KrazeeEyezKilla wrote: »

I can remember some rock historian claiming that the first 'rock' song was Louie Louie.

Yeah, great spot. According to this Ray Davis wrote You really got me while trying to figure out Louie Louie. LL was written in 1955 but the Kingsman version, which I assume is what we're talking about, was released in 63.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOODkis6WE

Its got most rock elements, the riff, the solo, no cow bell though:( I think its a real contender. It being a cover suppose the Kinks can still claim the first original rock song

el tel

You will find the answer in AC\DC's "Let There Be Rock"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmvTyXyOQZ4

MoominPapa

damonjewel wrote: »

I remember hearing about Link Wray and being one of the first to use distortion. Just checked this out, its quite funny

Pretty funny, be great if he'd pioneered wah-wah:D

damonjewel wrote: »

Here is Rocket 88

Great song, but its rock n' roll for sure

Cactus Col

damonjewel wrote: »

I remember hearing about Link Wray and being one of the first to use distortion.

Link Wray literally invented the power chord, and was hugely influential on rock music and guitarists, including Pete Townsend who said:

"He is the king; if it hadn't been for Link Wray and "'Rumble,'" I would have never picked up a guitar."

damonjewel

MoominPapa wrote: »

Pretty funny, be great if he'd pioneered wah-wah:D


You swine, I now have the Blue ridge mountains of Virginia running through my mind with silly wah notes

wah wah wah wahwahwah wah wha-whaaaa:p

Yap Stam

When you think of Lil' Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis and others like them you begin to notice how the tail end of Jazz ran into Rock'n'Roll

galwayrush

Would Helter Skelter by the Beatles be the first actual Metal Song?

The-Anarchist

galwayrush wrote: »

Would Helter Skelter by the Beatles be the first actual Metal Song?

Black Sabbath's debut was the first metal album IMO, and therefore hosted the first metal songs.... Although there was, is and always will be a fine line between peoples opinions on what is rock and metal, heavy metal, thrash etc..... So your opinion is as good as mine

damonjewel

Yap Stam wrote: »

When you think of Lil' Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis and others like them you begin to notice how the tail end of Jazz ran into Rock'n'Roll

Well the tail end of rhythm and blues style jazz did eventually become Rock and Roll e..g shake rattle and roll was a R&B hit before Bill Haley did it. Jazz actually changed direction immensly during the 40's and 50's into bebop jazz and then Cool jazz which bares very little resemblance to Rock and Roll.

I think that Jerry Lee and Lil Richard were probably more influenced by gospel and blues

damonjewel

The-Anarchist wrote: »

Black Sabbath's debut was the first metal album IMO, and therefore hosted the first metal songs.... Although there was, is and always will be a fine line between peoples opinions on what is rock and metal, heavy metal, thrash etc..... So your opinion is as good as mine

I would agree that sabs absolutely define the metal sound, some people argue that Iron Butterfly were but I always think that they are a poor mans doors.

As far as the beatles go, I think the single version of Revolution is much more heavier than helter skelter. However if they were to be considered then surely anything from Are you Experienced by Jimi hendrix predates all of this, e.g. Foxy lady

make your own minds up

The beatles Revolution

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87yq372R4Ts

Here is iron butterfly ina gada da vida(1st half)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdFWa_OgciI

Black Sabbath's Black sabbath with 2 minutes of classical noodling to begin with

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BkhtJM8CqE

and jimi's marvellous foxy lady

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLzgiW5sFe0