Explore rock's evolution from pre-1955 to late 1960s. Learn about Elvis, Beatles, Dylan, and more.This course, led by Professor John Covach.
Explore rock's evolution from pre-1955 to late 1960s. Learn about Elvis, Beatles, Dylan, and more.This course, led by Professor John Covach.
This course, led by Professor John Covach, examines the history of rock music in the United States from its pre-1955 roots to the end of the 1960s. It covers the music of iconic artists such as Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Bob Dylan, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and Jimi Hendrix, emphasizing both the cultural context and the music itself. The course traces rock's emergence in the mid-1950s as a blend of mainstream pop, rhythm and blues, and country and western, exploring its evolution through various stages including the British Invasion, folk rock, Motown, Southern soul, and psychedelia. Students will learn about key developments in the music business and technology that shaped rock's stylistic evolution, as well as its role in youth culture and association with teen rebellion.
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What you'll learn
Understand the origins and evolution of rock music from pre-1955 to the late 1960s
Analyze the cultural and historical context of rock's development
Recognize the musical characteristics of different rock styles and subgenres
Explore the impact of technology and the music business on rock's evolution
Examine the contributions of key artists like Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and Bob Dylan
Understand the British Invasion and its influence on American music
Skills you'll gain
This course includes:
596 Minutes PreRecorded video
4 quizzes
Access on Mobile, Tablet, Desktop
FullTime access
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There are 9 modules in this course
This course offers a comprehensive exploration of rock music's history from its pre-1955 origins to the end of the 1960s. Led by Professor John Covach, it covers the evolution of rock through key periods including its birth and first flourishing (1955-59), the British Invasion, American responses, Motown and Southern soul, and the rise of psychedelia. Students will learn about influential artists, important technological and business developments, and the cultural context that shaped rock's development. The course examines how rock emerged as a blend of mainstream pop, rhythm and blues, and country and western, becoming the soundtrack of youth culture and often associated with teen rebellion. It traces the music's journey from early rock and roll through the Beatles era, folk rock, soul music, and the psychedelic movement, providing a deep understanding of rock's transformative first decades.
Introduction
Module 1 · 1 Hours to complete
The World Before Rock and Roll (1900-1955)
Module 2 · 1 Hours to complete
The Birth and First Flourishing of Rock and Roll (1955-59)
Module 3 · 1 Hours to complete
The Demise of Rock and the Promise of Soul (1959-63)
Module 4 · 1 Hours to complete
The Beatles and the British Invasion (1964-66)
Module 5 · 1 Hours to complete
American Responses (1965-67)
Module 6 · 1 Hours to complete
Motown Pop and Southern Soul (1960-69)
Module 7 · 1 Hours to complete
Psychedelia (1966-69)
Module 8 · 1 Hours to complete
Final Exam
Module 9 · 30 Minutes to complete
Fee Structure
Payment options
Financial Aid
Instructor
Renowned Scholar and Musician Shaping Popular Music Studies
John Covach, a distinguished musicologist and guitarist, holds B.Mus., M.Mus., and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Michigan and was a Fulbright scholar in Vienna, Austria. He has taught at prestigious institutions like Interlochen Arts Academy, University of North Texas, and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with his students securing prominent academic positions. Covach has published extensively on popular music, twelve-tone music, and aesthetics, co-editing influential works and authoring What’s That Sound?, the leading rock music textbook. He serves on editorial boards and remains an active performer, touring and recording in the U.S. and Europe.
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4.8 course rating
1,147 ratings
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