University of Rochester

History of Rock, Part One

John Covach

Instructor: John Covach

62,377 already enrolled

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Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.8

(1,153 reviews)

Beginner level
No prior experience required
Flexible schedule
Approx. 13 hours
Learn at your own pace
97%
Most learners liked this course
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.8

(1,153 reviews)

Beginner level
No prior experience required
Flexible schedule
Approx. 13 hours
Learn at your own pace
97%
Most learners liked this course

What you'll learn

  • Students will be able to summarize and describe the evolution of rock music starting in the early 1950's to the end of the 1960's.

Details to know

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Assessments

4 assignments

Taught in English

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There are 9 modules in this course

What's included

1 video7 readings

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.

What's included

11 videos

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."

What's included

8 videos1 assignment

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.

What's included

9 videos

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.

What's included

10 videos1 assignment

Dylan, the Byrds and folk rock. Garage bands in the northwest. Sonny and Cher and the legacy of Phil Spector. TV rock, Paul Revere and the Raiders, and the Monkees. Music in New York and Los Angeles.

What's included

7 videos

Berry Gordy and the rise and first flourishing of Motown. Atlantic, Stax, and southern soul (Memphis, Muscle Shoals, New York). Parallels between Motown and Stax. James Brown and the roots of funk.

What's included

7 videos1 assignment

How can music be psychedelic? Underground psychedelic scenes in San Francisco and London. Psychedelia in LA. The Summer of Love and the rise of hippie culture. The birth of FM rock and rock magazines. Woodstock and Altamont.

What's included

9 videos

Final exam for this course.

What's included

1 assignment

Instructor

Instructor ratings
4.8 (198 ratings)
John Covach
University of Rochester
4 Courses104,805 learners

Offered by

Recommended if you're interested in Music and Art

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4.8

1,153 reviews

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5

Reviewed on Jan 10, 2021

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Reviewed on Jan 16, 2017

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5

Reviewed on Apr 16, 2020

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