Dancing in the Street

- Season 1

(1996)

In the early 1950's in Mississipi the embryo of Rock 'N Roll was being created. Fats Domino took Rhythm 'N Blues to the limits of Pop music. And a 18-year old truck-driver pays $3.95 to record the song "My Happiness".

In the 50's we all bought rock 'n'roll singles with The Ronettes, The Coasters, The Shirelles, Roy Orbison, Elvis Presley, The Righteous Brothers, Ben E. King and Surfbeat was invented.

Now folk music and the lyrics became important . In 1961, Bob Dylan took on New York. A new political movement was born. Folk music was electrified and developed in different directions. English pop made their entry into North America.

During the British invasion of North America the soul and rhythm 'n blues artists and groups found their way back to the core of the music. The Detroit sound, Stax, The Chicago rumble and much more surfaced.

The roots of heavy rock. The Rolling Stones and The Animals turned up the blues of John Lee Hooker and Muddy Waters. Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin surfaced.

The Pop scene moves too California. Hippies, drugs, outdoor festivals, psychedelia and anti-culture. The Byrds, The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin, Country Joe and the Fish and others. While bands The Beatles and The Rolling Stones spent most of their time in the studio.

Sunny California songs took a turn and blended with the theatre, the dark, exhibitionism, sexuality and new chords. David Bowie, The Doors, The Velvet Underground, Alice Cooper and Iggy Pop arrived.

In the 70's the stars of the folk-rock like The Eagles lived in luxury, far from the world of their fans and record buyers. Reggae was hot. The new wave arrived. And the punk rock. Modern Lovers, Patti Smith, The Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Ramones, Siouxsie and the Banshees.

Funk added to Soul and Rhythm 'n Blues. James Brown took the stage. Sly and Family Stone, Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind and Fire, Kool and The Gang, and The Jacksons. And something called Rap surfaced. Hip-hop was played in streets.

Rock music felt to laid-back. Not eating anymore. New planets were explored. Grandmaster Flash, Kraftwerk, New Order, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Run DMC, Beasty Boys, Public Enemy, De La Soul arrived.