Final answer:
Black music's assimilation of rock rhythm in the 1960s saw the integration of rock's rhythmic patterns with electric instrumentation, retaining traditional African American musical elements while also partaking in the modern expression and cultural shifts of the time.
Step-by-step explanation:
Assimilation of Black Music in the 1960s
When black music assimilated rock rhythm in the 1960s, it underwent a significant transformation. A key change was the integration of rock's rhythmic patterns and electric instrumentation. This combination involved merging the heavy rhythm of rock and roll with the sounds of gospel, blues, country, jazz, and R&B, leading to a new sound that captivated a wide audience, particularly teenagers. The genre blurred racial lines and brought together black and white musicians and audiences. Artists like Elvis Presley rose to fame by incorporating the rhythm and blues sound that had largely been pioneered by African American musicians.
Moreover, this blend of musical styles retained certain traditional elements. While there was a preservation of some traditional musical elements from African American heritage, such as the use of percussions, bent notes, and syncopated rhythms, black music's entanglement with rock rhythm also meant a shift towards more contemporary expressions of culture and defiance against societal norms.