Commercialism

1
Commercialism
Manage Risk
Efficiency
Formula
Standardization
Mass Audience
2
Incorporation
Simplify
Trivialize
Domesticate
Standardize
3
Top 10 Pop Albums, 1958
BOBBY DAY ROCKIN' ROBIN   DANNY THE JUNIORS
ROCK AND ROLL IS HERE TO STAY   BOBBY FREEMAN
DO YOU WANT TO DANCE   CHUCK BERRY JOHNNY B
GOODE   DANNY THE JUNIORS AT THE HOP    
EVERLY BROTHERS ALL I HAVE TO DO IS DREAM   SIL
HOUETTES GET A JOB   MONOTONES BOOK OF LOVE  
BUDDY HOLLY OH BOY   CHUCK BERRY SWEET LITTL
E SIXTEEN
4
The Process of Commercialism
Motown
Berry Gordy
5
Backlash
"This seems to be the American way of life, which
is a wonderful way of life. It is primarily built
on romance. I'll do for you, what will you do for
me?" - WILD Disc Jockey Stan Rich
ard
Payola, 1959-1960
6
Was Elvis a Minstrel?
7
Why was Elvis so popular with young people?
Equipment for Living
Names Problems Suggests Solutions
8
Historical Context

• Baby Boomers
• Cold War
• Affluence
• Civil Rights
• Govt Corporate
• Uses of Culture

9
New Cultural Openings
African-Americans
Counter-Culture
New Left
Youth Culture
Reaction to the Conversion Narrative
10
Civil Rights
Sam Cooke
SNCC Freedom Singers
The Impressions
And Popular Music
11
Folk Music
And the New Left
12
New Political Possibilities
Aretha Franklin
James Brown
Country Joe the Fish
Crosby, Stills, Nash Young
Articulations in Popular Music
13
Incorporation
Dylan
Aerosmith
Led Zeppelin
Yes
Rock Musician as Artist