What is Rock Music?

Rock Music, can be discussed in a number of perspectives; like as a music, as a faith, as an interpretation of emotion or expression of it, or even a way of life. But its Sociological standpoint is of principal importance to me, because only that gives a considerable idea of it in social perceptions. Now, to start with a general conception of it in Sociology: Rock Music can be traced back to the post-1945 mass culture era. The extent of capitalism had pushed masses to limits, of having been witnesses to some of the worst wars the world had seen, and lingering hatred amongst communities. Music, at such a juncture proved to the language recognized and accepted world over. And this was music, unlike the so called elite, cream of the crop creation; rather it was music that appealed to the common people, who felt differently about their life’s comings: they did not want wars or atomic bombs; neither did they want to give up their homes and children for political conquests. And so, their music reflected their thoughts. Then, there was the 60s and 70s era of ‘peace ’, which rose as a protest towards the world’s attitude of being at nuclear loggerheads at any given pretext. The ‘hippies’ and their lifestyles had the world sit up and take notice in concern, because of its mass appeal, and predominantly because the major involvements were from the youth of the countries. Though it was to a vast extent an all-American movement, due to USA’s huge links in the Vietnam wars, the tail-ends of the cultural shift speedily spread outwards and towards the rest of the world. The use of noise and gaudy presentations were, without doubt a means to seize attention, aimed at the system and the direct refutation of it, chiefly through cleverly crafted songs. But the emergence of it is not just about this, there are other major sources which have immediate footings in the socio-economic conditions then, and the gradual realization of the ‘mass ’. With this came the mass culture and its related concepts.

Just as the music itself is constantly changing, so is its terminology. The term ‘ROCK MUSIC’ means many different things and its meaning has changed at practically every stage in its development. The boundaries between it and other classes of popular music and other fields of music and culture are fluid and are constantly changing. The short form ‘rock ’, derived from the American ‘rock’n’roll ’, came into general use in the mid-sixties, losing in the process the specific meaning that it had previously had as a description of those musical styles directly derived from ‘rock’n’roll ’. If Rock is really to be understood in its cultural dimension it must be taken seriously as music and be accepted as a legitimate art form.

Form and content wise, rock music involves the use of technology to a great extent. The use of electric guitars, programmable key-boards (electrical piano), percussion instruments, amplifiers, and not to forget the auxiliaries being of prime importance, as Rock Music’s other most important aspect is performing in front of a live audience, like pre-programmable or live lights, smoke-machines, sound amplifiers, and use of sound manipulators (these are little electrical devices that can be used to maneuver the sound outputs of the guitars or even voice, for example echo machines). The live shows are presented by the bands who do rock music, in ways absolutely unique to themselves. Different bands have different mass appeals: like a ‘rock fan’ knows that a Beatles* concert will be different from that of a Led Zeppelin** live show. The difference lies in varied aspects, from songs, to lyrics, to arrangements of instruments to their presentations. However, the fan response may be somewhat hysterically similar…literally. These live shows range from friendly acts on stage to quite vulgar expressions, and it is sometimes difficult to read the reasons behind any particular act as such, if not the band declares it themselves. Live shows are very important to establish a kind of rapport between the Rock Band and its fans, but at the same time elevating the band itself to a higher level of hero-worship, almost to a point of idolism. Rock Music enthusiasts worldwide are known to be more of fanatics than fans…this trend is equally intriguing as Rock Music itself. In the next section, I have tried to capture similar aspects of the above discussed in context to Bengal, more specifically Calcutta.