Author Marc Myers describes rock concerts as a generational event and also as \"a right of passage.\" <\/p>\n
\"You went in as a kid and came out a young adult,\" Myers said.<\/p>\n
It's what led him to investigate the evolution of these productions for his latest book \"Rock Concert: An Oral History as Told by the Artists, Backstage Insiders, and Fans Who Were There.\" <\/p>\n
Myers points to Allen Freed as a man who played a big role with the first rock concert in New York at the Brooklyn Paramount Theater. <\/p>\n
Freed's concerts lasted for days and gave attendees the opportunity to see the artists they loved from the radio performing live, over and over again. <\/p>\n
When Elvis Presley hit the scene, he combined the artistry of rock and R&B with a performance style and looks that were appealing to women. <\/p>\n
\"It's really the beginning of true female ecstasy over a male star,\" Myers said.<\/p>\n
The author was purposeful when collecting interviews about Elvis, specifically wanting the perspectives of three women who were close to the star: Barbara Hearn who had dated Elvis in high school and in the early days of his career; Elvis' touring partner for two years, Wanda Jackson who would go on to become the Queen of Rockabilly; and Kay Wheeler who formed the first national Elvis Presley fan club.<\/p>\n
\"You really get a feel through these three women about how the temperature rises and about how he conducted himself as an artist,\" the author said.<\/p>\n
Prior to 1964, there weren't organized tours and ticket prices were small change, according to Myers<\/p>\n
Myers pointed out that it was when concert promoters saw images of performers at the March on Washington in 1963 that a new vision for the rock concert was born, leading to stadium tours.<\/p>\n
The Beatles took the stage at Shea Stadium in 1965 and showed how wildly successful the right artist and the right music could be.<\/p>\n
Their concerts also showed a need for improvements to enhance the concertgoers experience.<\/p>\n
\"People who say they went to see The Beatles are accurate. Anybody who says they went to hear The Beatles are lying to you,\" Myers said. <\/p>\n
The screaming of the crowd at Beatles' concerts proved the need for better sound systems, which appeared at Woodstock.<\/p>\n
Marc Myers' traces the history of rock concerts through 1985 when he says the industry changed. <\/p>\n
\"After Live Aid, rock takes a turn,\" Myers says citing growing corporate involvement and increasing ticket prices.<\/p>\n
When it comes to current concerts the big artists are mostly female pop singers and \"rock today is almost meaningless,\" Myers said. <\/p>\n
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The rise and evolution of the rock concert in America - KCUR<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Author Marc Myers describes rock concerts as a generational event and also as \"a right of passage.\" \"You went in as a kid and came out a young adult,\" Myers said. Continue reading