Rock n' Roll

The term “rock n’ roll” is often misused in my opinion. Especially when someone uses it to describe a type of music that is nothing like what real rock n’ roll is to me. First of all, rock music is more than just plugging in your guitar and cranking the volume to ten. It is more than growing your hair out, smoking cigarettes and trying to create a rebellious image for one’s self. “Rock n’ Roll” is an essence, an underlying energy that has no particular sound. It is a connection, a feeling, a community of blues and understanding.
Rock n’ roll is not friendly to the standard or the authority. Rock n’ roll is a counter culture. For example, mainstream “rock” bands like Nickelback, Daughtry and Bon Jovi, bands that mommy and daddy might even enjoy, are not rock n’ roll in my opinion. They are pop music. Just like a lot of “country” artist today. On the other hand, artist ranging from Johnny Cash to John Lee Hooker, The Doors to Sublime and John Lennon to The Notorious B.I.G. are all considered rock n’ roll in my opinion.
Despite my best efforts to define rock n’ roll, not everybody has the same ideas as I do. Some people might define rock music as anything from the 60s and 70s. Others, loud and powerful amplification. However, once I gather information from sources like books, magazines and maybe ever movies and song lyrics, I can hopefully open one’s eye to what my definition of true rock n’ roll is.