Facts about the history of rock and roll that most people don't know

The rock and roll genre has a colorful history rooted in the American experience. But what is the origin of rock music?

The genre is still thriving in the 21st century, but many interesting facts about rock and roll have been forgotten. As the music industry has evolved, the definition of rock music has changed and many different categories of rock have emerged. The way rock is perceived now is different from how the rock was perceived in the 1950s.

9 PHOTOS

1. Sister Rosetta Tharp is known as the "godmother of rock and roll" for her innovative use of the electric guitar.

While you may not have heard of Sister Rosette Tharp, she is known in rock history as one of the pioneers of the genre. She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018, with many musicians saying it should have been done sooner. Tharp has been an inspiration to many, and her music was a forerunner of the rock and roll genre.

2. There would be no rock and roll without Chuck Berry.

John Lennon said, "If you're trying to give rock and roll another name, you can call it Chuck Berry." Berry's music was instrumental in refining and transforming rhythm and blues music into rock and roll, and he is often referred to as the "Father of Rock and Roll".

3. Stevie Nicks is the only woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice.

Stevie Nicks is known for her work with the popular band Fleetwood Mac and her successful solo career. Rolling Stone named her one of the top 100 songwriters of all time. Notable among her many accomplishments is that she has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice.

4. The phrase "rock and roll" had many meanings before it became a musical genre.

The origin of the phrase "rock and roll" can be traced back to the Middle Ages, when the term "roll" was used to refer to sexual encounters. The term "rock" has been in use since the 17th century and refers to shaking or restlessness. Meanwhile, the full expression "rock and roll" often referred to the movement of a ship at sea. Later this phrase was also used in the context of the gospel. In the 20th century, from the 1920s to the 1940s, the phrase "rock 'n' roll" was used by young people to describe sexual acts or the act of dancing, often emphasizing how the body moved while playing music. The phrase evolved into a musical genre when African-American artists began creating music with a distinctive beat that took elements from blues and gospel.

5. The Rolling Stones logo is inspired by an Indian goddess.

The Rolling Stones logo is one of the most recognizable symbols of rock and roll in the world. The logo is strongly associated with the band's identity and has appeared on several posters, T-shirts, and even the cover of a Rolling Stone album. However, many fans may not be aware that the Indian Hindu goddess Kali partially inspired the logo. The original name of the logo is Tongue and Lips and was designed by John Pasche, who was attending London's Royal College of Art at the time. According to Pasche, Mick Jagger insisted that the image of the goddess Kali be part of the creative process of creating the band's logo. Jagger is known to have developed an interest in the Hindu goddess and Indian culture in the 1960s. Kali is often depicted baring her tongue:

6. Queen has the oldest fan club in the history of rock and roll.

Arguably one of the most famous British rock bands in rock and roll history, Queen formed in 1970 with a classic line-up of Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon. With numerous hits such as "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "We Will Rock You", Queen quickly became extremely popular and received numerous awards. Perhaps one of the band's greatest accomplishments is the oldest fan club in rock and roll history. The official Queen fan club was founded in 1973 after the band released its first album, and at its peak, the fan club had over 20,000 members.

7. ‘Wabash Cannonball’ is an 1882 song considered one of the earliest influences on the rock genre.

"Wabash Cannonball" may not be familiar to music lovers today, but the song and its versions have been recorded hundreds of times since 1882. The song has its roots in the American folk music genre and describes a scenic train journey over the great Rock. Island route in America. Most versions of the song still contain elements of the original chorus. She gained real fame only after the recording of the song by the Carter family in 1929. Over the years, many famous music legends began to sing the song, including rock stars Leon Russell and Johnny Cash. The song's descriptive language and ease of adaptation helped it influence rock and roll.

8. Mick Jagger's famous song "Sympathy for the Devil" is believed to have been inspired by the French poet Baudelaire.

The song "Sympathy for the Devil" was written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards and is one of their most famous songs. Several reports mention that Jagger said that French poet Charles Baudelaire was the main inspiration for the hit. While Jagger isn't sure where the idea came from, he says the poet guided his thought process when writing the song.

9. Frank Sinatra said that rock was a "rancid aphrodisiac" performed by "dark thugs".

Throughout the history of rock, many have criticized the genre, but one of the most famous people to denounce it was Frank Sinatra. Sinatra was one of the most celebrated musicians of the 20th century and is recognized as one of the best-selling artists of all time.