Document Type
Master's Thesis
Graduation Year
May 2020
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Program Name
Humanities
Program Director
Judy Halebsky, PhD
First Reader
Christian Dean, PhD
Second Reader
George Faithful, PhD
Abstract
This thesis examines the relationship between the evolution of African American cultural identity and the evolution of rock and roll music. The Black Rock Coalition formed in 1985 as a group of black rock musicians who were frustrated that society had seemingly forgotten that rock and roll began with almost exclusively African American artists. They proposed a cultural reclaiming of rock and roll music in order to reestablish inclusiveness within the industry and within African American culture. I will retrace the narrative that the BRC suggests to discover how African American expression led to the creation of rhythm and blues, which then became a popular new genre called rock and roll in the early 1950s. I will explore how early artists broke into the business and how that process eventually influenced new music genres and outlets for African American expression. Finally, I will illustrate how African American music continues to inform rock and roll culture and how music can lead to a more culturally conscious world.