answers A+ graded
How were the late 1970s similar to the 1950s? - correct answer ✔✔A few major record labels owned the
majority of the music market. Album oriented rock was the norm and punk and new wave remained
underground, or converted their sound to mainstream.
Compare the first and last half of the 1970s in regards to rock music. - correct answer ✔✔First half: the
psychedelic sound (hippie rock) gave many emerging sounds.
Second half: sound was extended and consolidated and aimed at a mainstream audience (which many
rock fans challenged)
What helped underground music flourish? - correct answer ✔✔Being able to record your own music on
a tape, without a record studio. Spurred punk (new wave) and rap.
How did this shift affect rock performers? - correct answer ✔✔They were able to sustain careers after
30, by creating a strong relationship between the style in the first and last half of the 1970s.
Who were some of these performers? - correct answer ✔✔The Rolling Stones
Paul McCartney formed the band Wings, which experienced success
Steve Miller Band, was around in the 60s but peaked in the 70s (they sing Fly Like an Eagle and The
Joker)
Doobie Brothers, turned more to jazz in the 1970s
KISS also reached their commercial peak in the US during this time
What were punk & new waves views on hippie rock? - correct answer ✔✔They opposed the complexity
and aimed for a simple sound.
What was "album oriented rock" (AOR)? - correct answer ✔✔The way FM radio started heading in the
1970s, following Tom Donahue's model in San Fran. It was a heavily formatted model that only allowed
, 4-5 minute tracks, because long songs didn't leave enough room for commercials and made people
change the station.
Why was AOR considered 'corporate rock'? - correct answer ✔✔The successful radio stations were
bought out by corporations who's only interest was to maximize advertising revenue. And record prices
went up, furthering the 'fat cat' idea. Eventually punk just rejected all dominant aspects of culture.
Why did Peter Frampton enjoy so much success in the mid 1970s? - correct answer ✔✔His rock was a
middle of the road rock that focused on his guitar solos and melodic lyrics.
What was the 'big album' realization? - correct answer ✔✔An album was considered successful if it sold
500,000 copies (Gold status). Now albums, like Peter Frampton's Frampton Comes Alive! were reaching
1,000,000 sales so they created "Platinum".
Were big albums concept albums? - correct answer ✔✔No, because they wanted to able to sell off the
singles to keep the album in circulation in long as possible.
What did the 'big album' do to the music industry? - correct answer ✔✔The newly discovered potential
for profit brought in large multi-nationals like Phillips Petroleum. Bands signed to large labels filled
stadiums & arenas now, and international tours were more common. However, now labels only wanted
big album bands (even though 350,000 records sold was fine a couple years before). So they played it
safe with non-offensive bands to maximize sales.
What are some other examples of big albums? - correct answer ✔✔Eagles - "Hotel California" & "The
Long Run"
Fleetwood Mac - "Fleetwood Mac" > "Rumours"
*No album had dominated pop or sold in such magnitude as Rumours*
Who were some of the bands from the second half of the 1970s that shaped the various styles into a
mainstream sound? - correct answer ✔✔Boston (More Than a Feeling)
Journey, drew on many members that came from bands rooted in the 70s (Zappa, Santana, Steve Miller)
How did Boston condense the 9 minute songs seen in progressive rock? - correct answer ✔✔They still
used AABA form (returning elements in beginning and end of song are popular in progressive rock).