Tag: Rock & Roll Forever Foundation

What is the “Surf Sound” and how did it develop? In this lesson you will: Discover the historical significance of surfing and the growth of Surf Culture; Learn about the contributions of such artists as The Beach Boys, Dick Dale, and the Surfaris to the “surf sound”; Listen to songs that represent the musical roots [...]

How does a loudspeaker work, and what was the Grateful Dead’s influence on this technology? In this lesson you will: Find out what a PA system is and identify its three basic components; Learn the science behind loudspeakers; Discover the Grateful Dead’s historic role in pioneering live sound technology for concerts. DOWNLOAD LESSON PLAN Age [...]

Who is Mavis Staples? In this lesson you will: Discover Mavis Staples’ Mississippi roots; Explore Mavis Staples’ activism for social justice; Learn about the Great Migration of African Americans from the rural South to cities in the North and West of the United States. DOWNLOAD LESSON PLAN Age Group: Grades 9 - 12

How has the image and history of the American cowboy been reclaimed in the 21st Century? In this lesson you will: Trace the evolution of the cowboy from a working-class ranch hand to a symbol of American masculinity; Examine the roles of President Theodore Roosevelt and “Buffalo Bill” Cody in developing the romantic image of [...]

Pulitzer Prize-winner Kendrick Lamar’s groundbreaking album, DAMN, is more than just music. It is a statement, a story. From his performance atop a vandalized police car on the BET Awards to his commentary-laced lyrical rabbit holes, Kendrick Lemar knows how to tell a story. By examining some of his tracks and videos, we will decipher [...]

GRAMMY Hall of Fame inductee, Bill Withers, was a prolific musician and inspiration to countless others. As a hard worker in and out of the recording studio, Bill understood the importance of teamwork and dependability, as his international hit, “Lean on Me” encompasses. Today, we take a closer look at his song and how it's [...]

Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s global smash hit “Despacito” needs little introduction. Though this song blazed a trail between international audiences, so much of its roots trace back to the rhythms and instrumentation of other Latin American music genres. Despacito embraces sounds from Puerto Rican rural music to Columbian Cumbia. Join us as we uncover [...]

Have you ever considered the historical roots of Hip-Hop? We’re going back in time to 1970’s New York City to discover the pioneers and influences behind the Hip-Hop genre and similar music styles. Here, we consider the environment, venues, and musical influences of that sparked the Hip-Hop genre in its infancy for a deeper understanding [...]

There are many different types of communities helping people find a safe place to fit in with others who share their experiences. Today we introduce students to artists such as poet Kevil Coval, Chance the Rapper, Jamila Woods, Nico Segal, and musical group, The Social Experiment, all who developed their own unique style through Chicago’s [...]

Take a trip through the history of sampling and gain a deeper understanding of this musical and technological practice. Using mixed media, students will explore information-assimilating and mood-manipulating byproducts of sampling. While kickin’ it artists such as Wu Tang Clan, students will compare and contrast one of their tracks to the original song being sampled. [...]