Final answer:
Rock and roll, which developed in East Texas alongside the expansion of railroads, combined electric instruments with gospel, blues, country, jazz, and R&B, capturing the hearts of teenagers in the 1950s. Originating in Memphis, Tennessee, and influenced by diverse musical traditions, it overcame controversy to achieve widespread popularity and profitability.
Step-by-step explanation:
The style of music that came from the railroads in East Texas, which developed the bass riffs that Rock 'n' Roll and R&B would almost exclusively use for more than a decade, is rooted in the combination of electric instruments with the sounds of gospel, blues, country, jazz, and R&B. This fusion gave birth to the new sound of rock and roll in the 1950s, an instant success among teenagers across the country. The genre was largely influenced by African American musicians and rose to immense popularity through the efforts of artists such as Little Richard, Bill Haley, Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, and Buddy Holly.
Rock and roll originated in areas such as Memphis, Tennessee, a pivotal crossroads where various musical traditions influenced the emerging genre. Teens growing up in the 1950s were exposed to a diverse range of musical styles through the radio, from Mississippi Delta blues to Texas western swing, all of which contributed to the formation of rock and roll. Despite controversy and initial resistance from some adults, the genre united young people and became a hugely lucrative component of the entertainment industry.
The electric guitar and amplifiers played key roles in shaping the sound, along with the influence of work songs, spiritual tunes, and the African emphasis on percussion and syncopated rhythms. This new musical expression was reflective of the highs and lows of life in black American communities, transcending regional boundaries and racial barriers, eventually finding its way into the mainstream culture through radio and television.