Pronumeral1447 (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

Because unlike all the other forms of music that were invented by black people, white people haven't managed to steal (and expand upon) hip hop very much yet. The Blues, Rock, Jazz, Funk, Motown, Reggae - all invented by black people in the Americas. Though you're right, there is no logical reason that white people can't make hip hop music, Eminem and other white artists have alreadt proved that, so it's strange the public still sees it as a kind of "race music".

memeco50 (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

But why is rap and hip hop called black music? I hate that. Music is music. Many black kids don't like rock, they should. That something I never understood. can somebody elaborate?

DiddleySquatt (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

I wish I could do that much, but there's a ten minute limit. I appreciate your comment (thanks!). But the reason I did it in reverse was because everyone knows about 60s rock, but the farther back in time it goes, the more surprising it is to most people. Besides, I think showing it chronologically backward better demonstrates how the music evolved.

mavrick45 (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

its chronologically backwardsyou should have started with 1916 and ended at 2008. that would have been a 'complete history of rock n roll'

Axefiend666 (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

Excellent Stuff!!

DiddleySquatt (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

Thanks! I also wish more of the old artists could have been included, but there's a lot that just won't fit when you have a ten-minute limit (my namesake Bo Diddley, for instance). But I did want to make the point that "rock & roll" didn't begin with fifties-era oldies. When I was a child there were still plenty of "old folks" around who told us that rock & roll wasn't new: "It's been around forever, honey." That sort of thing. The history, the evolution of the music, that always fascinated me.

Shimiz (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

I think you should've mentioned a few more of the greats.. like chuck berry, little richard, jimi hendrix who definetely changed the face of modern rock and influenced everyone from then on.. and of course ike turner, who had the first rock and roll song.. good vid none the less....

DiddleySquatt (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

Thank you. :-)

etifaim (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

The Drifters song is a doo-wop song, which is influenced much by blues and folk. I would say the same for the Elvis song. There are times I hear old blues and gospels songs, and if the song was played faster (in some cases they were) they had that driving rhythm you speak of.This was a great vid DiddleySquatt. You covered elements that for some would go unmentioned, so it's much appreciated.

DiddleySquatt (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

I think modern rock is a product of the fusion of the old piano blues (or "city" blues) from the early 1900s with a variety of changing jazz forms and even some spiritual music. The origins of rock are as diverse as the music is today - or maybe more so. We've got everything from ballads to reggae to punk, from acoustic to metal, and always something new coming along. The progression over the years, the connections, are open to interpretation, of course. But the subject always fascinates.