George Sevy

Sociology
Social Imagination
In years back there was a sub culture in which there was mainstream acceptance and a
surge of those willing to participate, I am referring to a state of being known as rock and roll. A
style of music born from the constants of oppression and degradation, it is always seen as a
counter culture from that of what is considered the establishment. In recent years the overall
taste in music has changed and caused those who consider themselves loyal rock and roll fans
to fall back into a state of a somewhat underground culture, ironically these values are directly
associated with the heart of this lifestyle.
Obviously this widespread culture first began with the style of music. A fact that may be
strange to some is that the sound associated with rock originated from the slave music created
in the late 1800s through the early 1900s. What characterized this as a
departure from classical musical standards of the retrograde chord progression of 1 to 5 to 4.
The sound this makes is synonymous with a feeling of loss or abandonment, hence the blues.
A few decades later white American songwriters took the blues ideals and made it their own.
What is widely considered the first rock began in the fifties as a harder edged genre as opposed
to the standard pop formula of the day, but quickly enough it gained a massive following in its
own right. Artists like Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley were able to
introduce a large raw sound to a commercial audience, and it did not take long for literally
hundreds of subgenres to spread from these roots.
As if to fit in with the bombast of the music, those associated with it developed into a
different breed of people, often open minded to many aspects of the world others deem
distasteful. The clich saying sex, drugs, and rock and roll is a pretty basic summary of the
norms considered standard procedure by those so inclined. Many of these ideals gained
widespread attention in the 60s counter culture. To be a rock musician meant that many songs
were written about the negative social commentary at the time, and with a large enough
following those words could stir up an anti-establishment
movement calling for the ideals of the individual instead of the powers that be.
The extremes of these behaviors are unacceptable to many who feel comfortable as
part of the fold, unwilling to arouse contempt in a situation where the words of one hold little
sway. As a result their social context is interpreted as rebel rousers or deviants willing to find
unconventional paths through life. Those who have no desire to associate with these types
tend to stereotype their actions as the pursuit of self-pleasure and ambition, not the
development of a sophisticated structure. In other words unable to provide a supporting seam
in the fabric of society.
The perpetual lower class stagnancy is in fact what creates the strength of the rock and
roll culture. This stratification of many people into the lower levels of poverty is what gives
them the harsh outlook on life that drastically affects the overall ideas and sounds an
outspoken musician would be determined to put forth. As if in a continuous circle, even after
over a centuries time this is the same state of being that created the ideals of the African slave
music. It is obvious that if people feel they are stuck in a meager existence they are far more
likely to question the social ladder, and just as likely to act upon it.
Along with this lower social standing comes the standard behavior of deviance, very
much hand in hand with a street level existence. Deviance is very encouraged in many rock
sub-genres, many of the same principles apply to rap sub-genres. From acts of violence or
unabashed destruction by the hardcore punks, to the extensive drug use from the hippies to
grunge and everyone in between, deviance is standard behavior for the rock community.
Likewise is seen in areas of urban poverty, with little to gain and little to lose. The stratification
crates a mentality to not care what you do, not discern what you consider right to what others
consider wrong, and not to care about the ramifications of such actions. Deviance can even be
used to create a reputation for ones self, spread knowledge that an individual is willing to do
something crazy, or something against an unpopular law can create acceptance by people who
would think of deviance as cool.
These lifestyle choices arouse discrimination by the more upstanding citizens who have
no interest in associating with such people. Many feel it is hard enough to work your way up in
life without intentionally showing disregard for set procedure. That is why the upper class is
distinctly in opposition to the moral values of rock and roll. Often times street punks are
considered dangerous, or at least someone to keep at a distance. This shows the majorities
disdain for the culture, and their unwillingness to accept the individual beliefs that surround it.
The stereotypical actions like those I mentioned above coincide with the choices in appearance
often associated with rockers. The most common is the act of growing out ones hair, which I
can personally attest to catching a lot of flak for, especially in areas of high Mormon
conservatism. Not only am I constantly associated to the deviant behavior of drug use, for some
reason being associated to the hippy counter culture mentality altogether. Also clothes are
used to make a huge statement of affiliation. Leather has been Iconic with
anyone more hardened than the average suburban dweller. Anything worn, torn, or altered
makes a statement of the street level existence and peculiarly makes one proud to show it.
Either way, a suit and tie with slick backed hair would never fit the profile.
Many may inquire what the purpose of such a culture would be. When looking at the
functionalism it is easy to say that there is not very much need for a street wise aspiring artist,
but in the context of the mentality of finding the American dream it makes a perfect catalyst for
one to step out of their confines. Even to the extent that people coined the term rock star as
the epitome of the rags to riches mentality that in turn makes one an idolized societal figure.
This idea along with the actual music created makes many feel empowered, the same goes for
fans of any style of music, but it is particularly potent in rock and roll. It gives a sense that there
is a whole separate world of outcasts out there that share your same mentality. Its as if to say
that although the upstanding majority may tell you that your choices are wrong your still the
one that gets to decide, that your desired destiny is in your hands, and that they can achieve
success despite what the world has told you time and again is the right path.
It is evident to me and many of my friends like me that we are a different breed of
people. Having to simply walk down the street to get a reaction is a good assurance of that.
Without following strict behavioral policies or abiding the social norms we find a crack in the
system that allows for an extent of freedom, without having to care what you do with it.
Almost everyone finds comfort in the music they listen to, no matter which of the thousands of
choices there are to pick from. We find comfort it making music influenced directly by our lives
and in turn we get to symbolize our music through are appearance and actions, if thats the
case then rock and roll will never die.