Question

How did race and racism play a role in the popularity of rock and roll and especially which performers became popular?

(Cite specific examples in a detailed answer.)

Answer 1

Immediately, the new musical style became most appealing to teenagers in the 1950s because it gave them their own special identity and voice. Also, teens were strongly attracted to the good looks and sexual appeal of the artists and the music. ... In fact, black artists started to become more popular in the mid 1950s.

Explanation:In the 1950's a specific style of music known as Rock 'n' Roll affected american society by influencing family lives, teenage behavior, and the civil rights movement. This decade helped to influence everything that we listen to on the radio today.Rock & Roll in the 1950s and 1960s expresses the social anxieties of the Civil Rights Movement. ... The Civil Rights Movement gained strength as coalitions were formed between black churches and secular organizations like the NAACP and CORE. This paralleled the joining of Gospel with Rhythm & Blues to create Rock & Roll.