Rock and Soul: Book 1

​ "Instrument of the Immortals"
1919 to the mid-1950's

​Fender 1950's

Write 3-4 sentences to discuss which movie you would see in it's entirety and why. You may base your decision on the film’s subject matter, music featured, star actors, the reviews it received upon first release, or any combination of these factors.

Imagine that you have just visited Graceland as a tourist and write a one-page letter to a friend or family member describing your trip.  Be sure to include your own thoughts about what the American Dream means to you personally and how Elvis’ life, as displayed at Graceland, compares to your own ideas for a successful life.  Students may also refer to the ABC Nightline clip as further evidence of the Graceland experience.

Put this on a Google Vid.

Multiple Choice

Which advertisement connects its product with the idea of tradition?

• Steinway and Sons (1920)

• Fender (1953)

• Gibson (1958)

• Popular Mechanics (1957)

Multiple Choice

Which ad presents its instrument as something modern and futuristic?

• What is being depicted on this record sleeve?

• What does the song title emphasize about the relationship between Rock and Roll and classical music?

• How does this ad relate to the Steinway and Fender ads?

​Roll Over Beethoven

Open Ended

How did the cultural fascination with technology in the 1950s influence the popularity of the electric guitar over the piano?

How do these images reflect a 1950's American fascination with the future?

​

The Space Race is in full swing

• What are some words and phrases used in the advertisement to describe Gibson's new "Flying V" guitar

• Given the American fascination with futuristic technology, what do you think you might have appealed to a 1950's teenager about the look of an electric guitar?

​

​"Flying V"

https://youtu.be/ju8Wu42hhbk?si=HZoXafkOH4vF1x9p

Research:Students will conduct independent research into one of the iconic American guitar players in early Rock and Roll

• You will need to create a poster on their selected artist.

• The poster must include an image of the artist, biographical information, a picture and description of the guitar model he’s most known for playing, a list of their early Rock and Roll recordings and their chart positions, and a description of the influence they had on future Rock and Roll artists.

• Students can select from the following artists:

  • Elvis Presley

  • Buddy Holly

  • Chuck Berry or Bo Diddley

  • Bo Diddley

  • Bo Diddley

Rock and Roll and the American Dream

​The American Dream
What is it? What does it mean to you?

​- Hound Dog (1956)

​Elvis on Milton Burl

​Johnny Cash on Ranch Party

• Get Rhythm (1957)

• What traits do these artists seem to have in common?

• What traits make each of these artists unique?

• What is he protagonist likely to achieve by diving off the boat to save the drowning child?

• Based on this scene, what does Alger imply about the protagonist’s moral character?

• In a larger scope, what does Alger suggest about a person’s opportunity to achieve upward mobility in America? In other words, what traits does an

​

Horatio Alger, Jr

​• In passage 1, what kind of imagery does George use to describe the farm to Lennie? How does George’s vision connect to the idea of the American Dream?
• In passage 2, how does Crooks respond to George and Lennie’s dream of owning a farm? What does Crooks’ observation suggest about the state of the American Dream during the time of the Great Depression?
• Explain how Steinbeck’s understanding of the American Dream is similar to or different from that of Alger’s.

John Steinbeck

​In your group compare these 2 houses and answer the questions on your handout.

Compare these house's

​• What do you notice about Elvis’ performance style and the character he is playing on screen? Why might a wide, popular audience be attracted to Elvis in this film?
• What are some of the titles you see in the trailer? How do these titles support the real life story of Elvis’ emergence as a superstar?

Folsom Prison Blues

• What kind of imagery does Cash evoke in the song?
• In this recording, Cash is performing before an audience of inmates. However, “Folsom Prison Blues” became one of his most popular and famous songs. Why do you think this song might appeal to a wider audience?
• Does this song seem to align more to Alger or Steinbeck’s vision of the American Dream? How?

​

The Man In Black

25th anniversary of Elvis’ death.

Write a short paragraph about the lasting impression of Elvis on his fans.

- How does the author of the letter describe herself and the rest of Elvis’ fan base?
- How does her description relate to the idea of the American Dream as presented by Alger and Steinbeck?

Rock and Roll and the Movies

​- What is this movie about? How does the film depict teenagers?
- By playing “Rock Around the Clock” over the image of “teenage savages,” what does the film seem to suggest about Rock and Roll music?

Blackboard Jungle

Blackboard Jungle was the first movie to feature a Rock and Roll song on its soundtrack.
After the film’s release, “Rock Around the Clock” went to number one on Billboard’s Pop charts, where it remained for eight weeks. However, due to some people’s concerns over the content of the film, Blackboard Jungle was banned in several American cities.

• What are some of the reasons the Atlanta board of censors cite for banning the film? Based on your observations from watching the trailer, do you think the ban was warranted?
  

• Do you think the controversy over the film helped or hurt the popularity of the song “Rock Around the Clock?” Explain your answer.