Review: All Shook Up

Although rock ‘n’ roll is a recent phenomenon, developed only the 1950’s, it has been a force in championing social change in American history. In his book All Shook Up: How Rock ‘N’ Roll Changed America, Glenn Altschuler argues that rock music contributed to an environment that fostered change in the cultural mentalities of racial equality, sexuality and normative values. It did this by appealing to, and challenging, the values of the teenage demographic, which in turn challenged the authority of their parents’ generation.

To the middle class Boomer Generation, rock ‘n’ roll represented a threat to the stability that occurred in a post WWII era (9). To their children, this music appealed to their sensibilities in way no other medium had, creating generational conflicts. Opponents demonized rock as “elemental, savage, dripping with sex,” (8), but criticisms did not prevent teenager’s interests from catapulting rock into popular culture (21). Due to this influence, rock played an important role in racial relations. It literally put black musicians in front of white audiences, challenging their norms and creating an identity under which black and white youths could unite. “Along with white supporters of civil rights, blacks looked to entertainment, especially rock ‘n’ roll, as a weapon in the struggle against Jim Crow,” (42). Each performer “struck a blow for racial understanding and harmony,”(17).

Sexual norms introduced to teenagers by rock “were pivotal in a reassessment of sexual attitudes and behavior,” (68). Parents feared that rock brought “the weakening of traditional morality” (67). Altschuler uses Elvis as an embodiment of the divide between differing generational standards. The novelty of his gyrating hips and lyrics filled with innuendo drove his fans crazy, enraging their parents who feared that Elvis’ music promoted promiscuity. NBC’s executives tried to please both groups by inviting a “revamped, purified, and somewhat abridged,” (90) Elvis on their Sunday night variety show. However, teenagers protested in front RCA's studios the next day, calling for their “gyrating Elvis,” (90). Elvis was one of myriad of entertainers that put forth new sexual attitudes, which emboldened teenagers to openly resist their parent’s seemingly antiquated values.

I appreciated that Altschuler did not overstate the importance of rock ‘N’ roll. He did not claim that it was the sole force in driving political or policy change, but that it was a contributing factor in challenging norms. “Although it accelerated the pace of integration in the entertainment industry and raised questions...the civil rights movement would have unfolded much as it did without rock ‘n’ roll” (185). Rock represented, and inspired, changing American values. Musicians and the teenage demographic influenced one another to promote cultural shifts, but rock alone did not accomplish change.

My main criticism of Altschuler’s book is that he does not address women’s’ roles in depth. He did not mention how rock shaped standards of femininity and gender other than what he covers in the sexuality chapter. I find it hard to believe that rock ‘n’ roll did not influence the cultural role of women.