Held in person at McKimmon Center: “Rock ’n’ roll” of the 1950s developed and changed with the times, eventually becoming “rock” in the 1960s. Popular music increasingly served as an outlet of expression for the baby boom generation as they played a vital role in political and cultural events of the 1960s.  Many teenagers had achieved success as recording artists, but now some were emerging as songwriters and producers. This new-found power in the music business allowed them to oversee the production and marketing of a record and to shape its sound. We will examine this phenomenon with Phil Spector in New York City, Berry Gordy in “Motown,” and will follow the westward movement to the bestselling American group of the 1960s, the Beach Boys in California.  Their popularity survived the “British Invasion” and the Beatles’ stateside success.  Both bands evolved in a similar way from simple imitative songs to more innovative and philosophical songs, sounds, and production methods in the studio.  Who will win this battle?  You be the judge.

Registration Deadline: Mar. 12