Final answer:
Rock 'n' roll, born in the 1950s, was a combination of various musical styles influenced by African American rhythm and blues, with Memphis, Tennessee being central to its creation. It broke racial barriers in music and evolved into various subgenres like grunge by the 1980s, and its societal impact on racial integration was profound.
Step-by-step explanation:
The influence of Latin sounds on the rock 'n' roll genre can be traced back to its very roots. Emerging in the 1950s, rock 'n' roll was a byproduct of a medley of musical influences, including gospel, blues, country, jazz, R&B, and African American rhythm and blues. Icons like Elvis Presley made it mainstream, and despite controversies revolving around racial integration in music, rock 'n' roll bloomed, challenging societal norms and racial barriers, especially with the advent of television shows that promoted both black and white musicians. It was a time of cultural upheaval, where teenagers found a unique voice and parents found a source of worry. The amalgamation of electric instruments with the sounds of multiple genres gave birth to a sound that would dominate the airwaves and eventually the entire music industry. Chuck Berry, an African American artist from St. Louis, was a leading figure in shaping the rock 'n' roll sound, notably with his hit 'Maybellene' which was influenced by Western Swing music.
Memphis, Tennessee played a crucial role as the epicenter of this musical revolution. It was a melting pot of various regional musical styles that youths were exposed to, resulting in the creation of a distinct sound known as rock 'n' roll. By the mid-1980s, the genre had evolved with regions like Seattle giving rise to new subgenres like grunge, demonstrating the fluidity and continuous evolution of rock music. Furthermore, the societal impact of rock 'n' roll cannot be understated as it contributed to the desegregation of music in the '50s, reflected by the integration of black and white artists in record stores, on television shows, and within record labels.