The Miami times. [volume] (Miami, Fla.) 1923-current, 1956-10-13
THIS SUBJECT OF
ROCK AND ROLL

y
We disagree emphatically! II you
have been keeping up with the
latest developments in the music
world we know you must have
read or heard what is happening
to teenagers all over the United
States. Why even in Miami they
go into a frenzy remember the
Elvis Presley deal and the Mid
nighters?)
In jolly old England, where tea
and crumpets are served In the
afternoon, the teenagers panicked
in the theaters where rock and
roll stars were appearing.
How did this latest fad begin?
Well, its root is planted deep in
the music of the African ritual.
From this form it was tranSferr-
ed into spirituals, characteristic
Of the slaves during the planta-
ton days.
Later, the rhythmic beat found
expression in jazz, and, more re-
Gently, in the blues. This is a
brief description of how we came
to have what is presently called
rhythm and blues. But still the
question exists as to what rock
and roll really is. The explana-
ton is fairly simple. Instead Of
simply crying the blues in a soul
full rhythm, a vocalist does it with
a rock and a roll
At most of the personal ap-
pearances Of such rock and roll
ers as the Coasters, Midnighters,
Five Keys, Little Richard, Little
Willie John, Big MaybelIe, and
many others, one sees exactly why
the songs they sing are tabled
with the name.
This however, does not determ-
inc the worth of the performers,
although it may have an adverse
effect on the patronizers. 1t is
somewhat difficult to distinguish
between what is good and what
is not. The problem is that they
are mostly in the same vein;
rnytnm ana lyrics.
AS for the lyrics, they are, for
the most part, senSeless and with
many vocalist (if we use the term
in the broad sense of the word)
unintelligible. For example, Elvis
'the PelviS" Presley mumbleS
three fourthS of the lyrics in
"Heartbreak Hotel" Neverthe-
less, it was in the number one
slot in the nation for several
weeks.
Speaking of the "Pretzel Kid"
we are tremendously concerned
about his weird gyrations which
give the adoIescent female (both
mentally and chronologicaIIy) a
crazy sensation We. find his
stage business" terribly Iewd
and profoundly vulgar. AS for his
singing, and we use this method
Of describing his voeaIizing for
lack of something better, 1t is
harsh, Iaborious and doubly unin-
teIIigibIy.
Just to get somewhat of cross
view of the rock and roll situa-
ton, we asked four questions of
four goods and here is what they
say:
Questions: ID Which do you
prefer, popular or rock and roll
music. (2) Do you personally like
Elvis Presley? (3) Do you think
Elvis' fame will outlive that of
Frank Sinatra? a. What is your
impression of Elvis' stage actions?
Do you find them lewd and vul-
gar?
LaClyde MCGEE, senior, Central
State College: Do l like Elvis
Presley? l like some of his rec
ordS, such as Don't Be Cruel"
Yes, do find his actions on
stage vulgar (but aren't we all,
at one time or other?) No / don't
think that Elvis win remain on
top with teenagers as did Frank
Sinatra. Rock and roll music will
never take over the music world
from popular tunes. At times
prefer popular m1sic. It general
" depends on the mood that I
am IN and mostly it is a senti-
mental one, and for dancing /
adore rock and roll.
Annette Conley, freshman,
Kentucky State College: Yes I
like Elvis Presley: ! don't find
his actions on stage vulgar at all;