2. Rock and roll developed as part of a period of technological change
In March 1949, RCA Victor released the first sample of a new and revolutionary recording format, the 45 rpm record. The 45 allowed for two sides being recorded, at first in monaural form, and rapidly became known as the single. Singles allowed artists to release two songs, one known as the A-side, hopefully, a hit for the performer, and the other the B-side, which was viewed as more or less a bonus for the purchaser. Singles were priced affordably, with an eye toward a newly emerging purchasing group in the United States, the affluent teenager.
Independent record labels were soon recording and pressing their own singles, including Chess in Chicago, Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee, and Atlantic, the last of which signed an artist named Ray Charles in 1952. Along with the independent labels grew local radio stations, which played music not heard on the national networks, frequently catering to the same teenage audience as the new records. Early records which were regarded as precursors to what became rock and roll included Rocket 88 (recorded by Ike Turner’s band under another name), Fats Domino’s The Fat Man; Rock the Joint by Jimmy Preston; and many others, all with a case for being considered the first rock and roll hit.
