A New Generation

• In the 1950s teens had more leisure time and spending money than past generations and they wanted to be more independent of family life. Their parents, called "The Greatest Generation," fought in World War II and were very conservative and patriotic. Because of the Cold War and fears of Communism, many adults were very conformist. Typical songs that the older generation enjoyed were "Some Enchanted Evening" and "Buttons and Bows." In the 1950s teens preferred rollicking hits like "Shake, Rattle and Roll" or "Great Balls of Fire."
  
  

Race Issues

• Moral issues were sparked by new interaction between white and African-American people. Rock music has roots in both country music and rhythm and blues. Black and white people borrowed music from one another even if they didn't peacefully coexist. In 1951 Cleveland disc Jockey Alan Freed called this new mix of styles "rock and roll." Freed promoted Chuck Berry and Little Richard at concerts that many white people attended. These interracial concerts upset separatists. People believed that mixing races undermined the moral values of youth.
  
  

Sex and Drugs

• In 1954 Elvis Presley helped bring black styles to the mainstream. Music became more sexual and parents were very upset. Christian fundamentalists called it the "Devil's music" and lyrics were censored or songs banned. People believed Cole Porter's "I Get a Kick Out of You" had allusions to cocaine. T-Bone Walker's songs contained lots of references to sex and drugs but Pat Boone re-recorded them and altered the lyrics. Billie Holiday's "Love for Sale" was banned due to an implication of prostitution.
  
  

Disc Jockeys

• Disc jockeys promoted a unique identity for teens and rebellion against parents. DJs like Wolfman Jack, Dewey Phillips and Alan Freed strived to choose their own records and break out of conservative play lists. Parents thought these entertainers encouraged bad moral behavior in their children. In the late 1950s Freed's New York dance show was abruptly canceled after teen singer Frankie Lymon danced suggestively with a white girl on the live show. DJs also faced a moral scandal during the payola scandal, when they were accused of taking money to play certain records.
  
  

Taming Rock and Roll

• By the end of the decade teenagers had new ideas about sex and drugs. But controversy took its toll. The establishment tried to remake rock and roll by producing sanitized "white" versions of popular rock and roll songs. However, things were to heat up again soon after as young people again began to rebel in response to political issues in the 1960s.