3 MAJOR SYMBOLS:

The electric guitar is the symbol of Rock’n’Roll and later of rock. In the 1930s (the thirties), Blues and Jazz guitarists added a small microphone to their acoustic guitars to make them sound louder during concerts and dances. But it is after WWII (the Second World War) that modern-looking electric guitars with bright colours were made. Guitarists then had a new range of sounds at their fingertips: every move of the hand was amplified and transformed into music.

Gospel means « évangile » which is the part of the Bible describing the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Gospel song is a style of religious songs based on the Bible with strong rhythms. It is often sung in church and is particularly popular among Black Christians in the Southern United States.

The Rolling Stones were formed in 1962 – the same year as The Beatles – with Mick Jagger as the singer and Keith Richards as the guitarist. Their attitude on and off the stage, their private lives and their songs made them appear more rebellious than the rival group, The Beatles. The lyrics of their songs shocked the audience and they often had to change them when they sang in public or on American television. Their biggest hit « Satisfaction » was released in 1965. Their popularity was so high that for their concert in New York in 1981, 20.000 seats were sold through the mail and the organizers received 2 million cheques.