Rock music, in its various guises, was the dominant form of popular music in the second half of the twentieth century. Many of us grew up in that era, but we all have different experiences of the music. In this course we will examine the roots and evolution of the music in the immediate aftermath of World War II, the emergence of “rock & roll” in the 1950s, and its development into many different styles and forms, some of which range far from their origins. We will make extensive use of musical examples, interviews, and commentary from the era, as well as sharing our personal experiences.

Brian Hailes grew up in 1960s England where, as a self-taught singer/guitarist he played the music of the era in clubs, bars and on local radio stations. Fifty years later he began his formal music education with an Associate’s Degree in Fine Arts (Music) at Berkshire Community College. He went on to complete his BA (Music) at Westfield State University and a Master’s in Music at UMass. Brian sings and plays guitar in hotels, restaurants, and outdoor festivals throughout the Berkshires, and has sung in the chorus of a number of operas with the Berkshire Opera Festival. He has served on the board of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the Georgia Council for the Arts Music Panel. In his previous lives Brian was a telecom development engineer, an international business executive, and an executive recruiter. He has a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering, a graduate Diploma in Management Studies and is a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering & Technology.

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