Montville "U": Music of the 1950s Part II

Lecture by Dr. Robert Butts

Part 2 – 1955-1960

Elvis Presley became the dominant musical figure as the youth culture reigned.   In addition to Elvis, artists such as Fats Domino, Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, The Everly Brothers, Little Richard, and Jerry Lee Lewis inspired listeners to a frenzy.  Country music moved more mainstream with artists such as Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Jim Reeves, and Marty Robbins.  Cool jazz solidified its popularity through the work of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Dave Brubeck.  Broadway’s Golden Age continued with works by Rodgers & Hammerstein, Lerner & Loewe, Leonard Bernstein, Jule Styne, and Meredith Wilson.   Concert composers like Boulez, Stockhausen, Babbitt, and Cage continued in modernist experimental directions, incorporating new ideas in electronic and computer-generated sounds.  Join Bob for Part II of this musical journey.  Adults only.  Registration required.