Ch. 2 "Michigan Hillbillies"
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Category: Dr. J's Blog
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Published: Monday, 22 June 2020 06:36
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Written by Gary Johnson
Michigan Rock and Roll History
Ch. 2 - “Michigan Hillbillies”
Because of the auto industry, Detroit's population had expanded to 1.6 million by 1940, making it the fourth largest city in the United States. The city continued to be a magnet for newcomers until the early 1950s, when the city's population peaked at nearly two million. Some of the newcomers were attracted to the city’s emerging hillbilly music scene, a term that was commonly used to categorize a wide variety of styles including country and western, bluegrass, and even some forms of gospel.
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Ch. 1 "We're Gonna Rock"
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Category: Dr. J's Blog
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Published: Monday, 22 June 2020 06:21
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Written by Gary Johnson
Michigan’s Rock and Roll History
Ch 1 - "We’re Gonna Rock"
My goal is to write about the important role that Michigan played in the history of rock and roll. The first chapter will include some information about the term “rock and roll” and how it was used over the years. It will also cover some early recordings by artists that were the roots of that music, and you will have the opportunity to enjoy a couple of recordings by Michigan artists that are considered by some music historians to be among the first rock and roll songs.
In addition, this and subsequent chapters will explore how and why Michigan became an important rock and roll center. This will be done by examining a number of early artists associated with our state and, in so doing, also look at the record labels, songwriters, recording studios, and backing musicians that helped make it all happen.
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