Weeks 1 and 2
Introduction to the course
Precursors of Rock: Tin Pan Alley, the Blues, Jump Blues, CountryThe Recording IndustryEarly Rock 'n'Roll
Week 1 reading:
Chapter 1
1. Robert Christgau, "B.E.: A Dozen Moments in the Prehistory of Rock and Roll," pp. 4–8.
2. David Hajdu, Sheet Music, Tin Pan Alley, Crooners, and Billboard, 8–11.
3. Kyle Crichton, "Thar's Gold in Them Hillbillies," pp. 12–15.
4. David Hajdu, The Carter Family, pp. 15–17.
5. Fred Dellar, "Hank Williams," pp. 17–25.
6. Cliff White , "… Howlin' for the Wolf," pp. 26–28.
7. David Hajdu, Early Blues Mamas, pp. 28–29.
8. Peter Guralnick, "Blues in History: A Quick Sketch," pp. 29–33.
Chapter 2
1. Peter Guralnick, Introduction, Feel Like Going Home: Portraits in Blues and Rock 'N' Roll, pp. 48–50.
4. David Hajdu, Western Swing to Rock'n'Roll, pp. 58–59.
Week 2 reading:
Chapter 1
10. Cliff White, "Louis Jordan," pp. 34–38.
11. Dave Headlam, "Appropriations of blues and gospel in popular music," pp. 38–41.
Chapter 2
2. Albin J. Zak III, "Writing Records: Rock and Roll," pp. 50–54.
3. Bill Millar, "Leiber and Stoller : The Blues (1950-1953) & The Rock 'n' Roll Years," pp. 55–58.
5. Robert Christgau, "Chuck Berry," pp. 60–64.
6. Norman Jopling, "Fats Domino: The Man Who Sang Rock Before Haley"pp. 64–65.
7. Don Snowden, "Bo Diddley: His Best," pp. 65–68.
8. Craig Morrison, "Little Richard," pp. 68–70.
9. Abel Green, "A Warning to the Music Business," pp. 71–72.
10. Milton Bracker, "Experts Propose Study of 'Craze'," pp. 72–73.
11. David Hajdu, Blackboard Jungle, p. 74.
12. James Maycock, "Chess Records: The Original Blues Brothers," pp. 75–76.
Chapter 3
11. Bill Millar, "Alan Freed: Mr. Rock'n'Roll," pp. 117–21.
12. Richard Goldstein, " Dick Clark: Master of Mediocrity," pp. 121–126.
Additional Reading
Sylvie Simmons, "The Carter Family: Into the Valley," pp. 41–45.
Jeff Tamarkin, "Pat Boone: Boone in the USA," pp. 77–81.
Jeff Greenfield, "'But Papa, It's My Music, I Like It'," pp. 81–86.