Bach to Beatles

Some people will tell you that rock music started with Bach (1685-1750). If you don’t believe them, listen to this.

Bach, Toccata and Fugue in D minor, organ

What would Bach have said about a good Beatles tune?

Michelle “Beatles go Baroque” Corelli Style

Bach to Beatles

What would he have said about Keith Emerson?

Watch from 1:20

As we discussed in the first lesson, rock music has a two-four (back) beat that characterizes it, and may be traced back to country music, rock and roll, rhythm and blues, swing, and more. Here are some examples from the gospel world.

Jewish gospel

But where does this ‘off beat’ originate. Africa? South/Central America? Perhaps with European dances such as the Polka. Take a look.

In the 1930s and 40s, swing music, with a clear two-four beat had become the popular music of the time.

Here is In The Mood, a Glenn Miller classic that is also in blues form (as are many popular songs). Here is our book, The Blues are a Breeze. Please have a look.

In the forties, jump jive and rhythm and blues predated rock and roll, but were largely considered African American music. The crossover came in 1954/55 with “Rock around the Clock“.

Some other famous rock and roll persona included Elvis Presley

Maybellene – Chuck Berry

Chuck Berry (see him here with John Lennon and Yoko! making a mess of Johnny B. Goode)

Little Richard

Jerry Lee Lewis

Fats Domino (this song was the first song Lennon learned)

Ray Charles (borrowing from gospel)

The main rock and roll influence on the Beatles might have been Buddy Holly and the Crickets

Oh, and it’s important to keep in mind that John Lennon and Paul McCartney started their musical journey together as a skiffle band. So did this thirteen-year old.

And, just a few years later….