Final answer:
R&B recordings from the 1920s to the 1950s were referred to as 'race records' by the music industry. This genre played a pivotal role in bridging cultural divides, especially as it evolved into rock and roll and became popular with both black and white youth audiences.
Step-by-step explanation:
R&B recordings were commonly referred to as race records by the music industry of the 20s through the 50s. This term was used during a time when segregation and racial divisions were explicitly present in society, including the music industry. Despite the moniker, R&B as a genre served to bridge cultural gaps, especially with its evolution into the universally loved rock and roll, which commanded a diverse audience of both black and white teenagers. Pioneers like Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Chuck Berry, and Little Richard, among others, played crucial roles in shaping the sound that would dominate American pop culture. Meanwhile, figures like Elvis Presley took inspiration from these black artists and introduced rock and roll to broader audiences, which helped in breaking racial barriers and set the foundation for modern music as we know it.