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Home , Chuck Berry, La Bamba (soundtrack), Lead Belly, Rock Around the Clock, Wanda Jackson, Women in rock

The Birth of Rock n’ Roll CAST: CAST: CAST: Lead1* Lead2 The Big Bopper Friend 1 Ritchie Valens Friend 2 Beatles: (Hippies) (Teacher/ Class) John, Paul, Hippie #1 * George, Ringo Hippie #2 (Prisoners) Chuck Berry Joey Ramone Lead Prisoner Tommy Ramone Lead Belly Wanda Jackson Jimmie Rodgers Stage Manager Trixie Smith The Coasters (4) Curtain Engineer Robert Palmer* SET:! • 2-4 Pedestals for statues! • Standing Arch with big sign [ROCK n’ ROLL MUSEUM] with working door/ OPEN/CLOSED sign.! • Risers! ACT ONE - SCENE ONE - INTRO Class and teacher are at the last exhibit of the MUSEUM. As the teacher is lining the kids up to leave she takes a head count. After she counts the last student! [CURTAIN]! Music starts and curtain opens: Kiss’s I WANT TO ROCK AND ROLL ALL NIGHT! Students roam around the stage chatting and looking at an Elvis statue on a pedestal. ! TEACHER: [The second the music stops -shouting] C’mon class! We need to shake a leg or we will miss the bus! Teacher leads the class towards the exit.! TEACHER: Alright students, partner up -PARTNER-UP! Students start lining up and joining their partners, teacher assists. Students and teacher’s backs are to the statue ELVIS [statue sings and thrusts his pelvis] [Sung] Well it’s one for the money No one notices but LEAD 1! LEAD 1: [nudges his/her friend] Hey! Did you see that? LEAD 2: See what? You’re so weird, just listen to the teacher will you?! ELVIS: [Sung and moves to the beat] Two for the show! Still, no one notices. The LEAD walks over to ELVIS,! LEAD: SEE! Did you see it then? Did you hear it? Elvis just moved! FRIEND: Seriously? you’re losing it. [Teacher and class exit the museum, LEAD 1, LEAD 2, FRIEND, stay behind] LEAD 2: Yea, you didn’t even pay attention to anything on this trip, I’m surprised you even know his name! FRIEND: See you on the bus [runs out of the museum] ELVIS: [Sung] Three to get ready now GO CAT GO! LEAD 1 grabs LEAD 2 and runs over to ELVIS as his/her class exits the museum. ! LEAD 1: [Shouts at Elvis] Hey, YOU! ELVIS: … [stays frozen] LEAD 1: I heard you sing. I saw you dance! Are you alive? LEAD 2: [turns to LEAD 1] Are you crazy?! LEAD 1: [Pokes Elvis’s shoulder] C’mon man, say it again! [Turns to LEAD 2] I’m NOT crazy! Stage Manager- turns the OPEN sign to CLOSED and slams the door.! After the door closes LEAD 2 notices and runs over to open the door and it’s locked.! ELVIS: Hey Mama! I noticed your ride left ya. LEAD 2: [turns toward the door] OH NO! The bus?! … [Runs for the door then stops, pauses, take a long curious look at Elvis]! LEAD 1: [Excitedly!] You CAN talk!? ELVIS:Listen partner, I know you’re all shook up! I can talk, and you can walk… and there is only ONE way out of this museum. You’ve got to go back to the beginning and learn about Rock and Roll. LEAD 1: I already know all about Rock and Roll! LEAD 2: [shoves LEAD 1] NO YOU DON’T - You were talking and fooling around all day. LEAD 1:Noooooo - I am an expert on Rock n’ Roll! ELVIS: Oh yea?! Then who’s THE KING?! HI - YA![kicks a high karate kick and strikes a karate pose] LEAD 1:Uh? What? I don’t get it. LEAD 2: [bows head and shakes it in disappointment] ELVIS: [Disappointingly] Oh boy. The Exit is closed [points to the door] You have to go back to the entrance - that way! [points to the door] Don’t be lonesome tonight, my friends will keep you company. LEAD 2: Thanks Elvis! ELVIS: I should mention, that my friends are a little that you weren’t paying attention to day. They will probably want to educate you on 100 years of Rock n’ Roll History before they let you leave! LEAD 2:!Oh brother…! ELVIS: Thank you, Thank you very much [CURTAIN] REMOVE ALL SCENERY - 4th Grade Prisoners take the stage [In front of curtain -LEAD 1/LEAD 2 at STAGE RIGHT walking across to STAGE LEFT] LEAD 1: [walking] I wonder who we’ll meet first! This is exciting. LEAD 2:You’re ridiculous - First off, you should know who we’ll meet first! It was the first exhibit? LEAD 1: [Shrugs] LEAD 2: Uh, the early - call and response sung by prisoners on the chain gang? I can’t believe I am stuck here with you. My mom is probably worried sick! [Drags LEAD 1 off stage] SCENE TWO - BLUES SONGS: I’ve Been Working On the Railroad, , In the Jailhouse Now, Jailhouse Rock [CURTAIN]! 4th grade prisoners (Teachers are police) with “pick axes” chopping at the ground in time ! [UP DOWN UP DOWN]! LEAD PRISONER: [Chanting] I’ve been working on the railroad. 4th grade CHAIN GANG: [Respond] I’ve been working on the railroad. LEAD PRISONER: [Chanting] All the live long day. 4th grade CHAIN GANG: [Respond] All the live long day. GUARDs/TEACHER: I CAN’T HEAR YOU! [A Capella] I’ve been workin' on the railroad, Just to pass the time away.! !!Don't you hear the whistle blowing? Rise up so early in the morn.! !!Don't you hear the captain shouting, "Dinah, blow your horn?” Dinah won't you blow, Dinah won’t you blow, Dinah won’t you blow your horn,! Dinah won't you blow, Dinah won’t you blow, Dinah won’t you blow your horn!! Someone’s in the kitchen with Dinah, someone’s in the kitchen I know,! Someone’s in the kitchen with Dinah! Strummin’ on the ole banjo! Chain Gang continues “working” without .! LEAD PRISONER: [Steps out to the front] In the 1800s, Americans could hear slave and prison work songs contained elements of spiritual music. are an important relative of the blues; and the although we don’t know an exact date when the blues began, we do know that it is the earliest root of Rock and Roll! Many of these blues elements, such as the call-and-response format, can be traced back to the music of Africa. Leadbelly with acoustic OR ukulele walks on the stage! LEAD BELLY:Hello, I’m Huddie William Ledbetter but everybody calls me LEAD BELLY. I am a Blues and Folk and musician. My music covered a wide range of top- ics, including gospel; blues about women, liquor, prison , and racism; and folk songs about cowboys, prison, work, sailors, cattle herding, and dancing. In 1988 I was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as an early influence to Rock and Roll. My songs tell stories and mix blues with folk and country style music. I’ve influenced from John to . Please join me in a song. LEAD BELLY & CHAIN GANG (Sing): On the Rock Island Line, there's a mighty good road On the Rock Island Line, it's a road to ride On the Rock Island Line, there's a mighty good road If you want to ride, you gotta ride it like you find it Get your ticket at the station on the Rock Island Line Yes, the A B C -W X Y Z Cats in the cupboard but they can't see me On the Rock Island Line, it's a mighty good road On the Rock Island Line, it's a road to ride On the Rock Island Line, it's a mighty good road If you want to ride, you gotta ride it like you find it Get your ticket at the station on the Rock Island Line I may be right and I may be wrong You know you’re gonna miss me when I'm gone On the Rock Island Line, there's a mighty good road On the Rock Island Line, it's a road to ride On the Rock Island Line, there's a mighty good road If you want to ride, you gotta ride it like you find it Get your ticket at the station on the Rock Island Line Another “man” walks in with an acoustic guitar! JIMMIE RODGERS: Howdy Ya’ll Jailbirds and Little Kids, I’m the singing brakeman, Jimmy Rodgers. I’ve been called the FATHER OF and my music has in- fluenced artists like U2, , , even ELVIS PRESLEY and THE BEATLES! Jimmie Rodgers, Lead Belly & CHAIN GANG (Sing): I had a friend named Ramblin' Bob Who used to steal gamble and rob He thought he was he was the smartest guy around But I found out last Monday That Bob got locked up Sunday They've got him in the jailhouse way down town He's in the jailhouse now - he’s in the jailhouse now I told him once or twice stop playin' cards and shootin' dice He's in the jailhouse now Bob liked to play his Poker, Pinochle (pea-knuckle), Whist and Euchre (yoka) But shootin' dice was his favorite game Well, he got throwed in jail, with nobody to go his bail The judge done said that he refused a fine He's in the jailhouse now he's in the jailhouse now I told him once or twice quit playin' cards and shootin' dice He's in the jailhouse now [CURTAIN] (prisoners stay onstage behind curtain) (leads stay in front) ELVIS runs on stage out of breath! ELVIS: Now that’s alright mama! I was just running all over the museum alerting my friends that you’ll be coming to see them. Boy oh boy are they excited, they usu- ally don’t see much action after closing time. Move on to the next exhibit and you’ll meet the one and only Trixie Smith, who many don’t know, sang a song with a title that changed history! LEAD 2:Thanks Elvis, you really are the KING! ELVIS: No worry darlin’ like I said before Thank you, Thank you very much (pulls scarf off his neck, onto Lead 2’s neck)! HEY! COME ON OUT JAILBIRDS! WE’VE GOT ONE MORE SONG IN THIS SET! [CURTAIN]! EVERYONE ON STAGE: (sing)! The warden threw a party in the county jail. The prison band was there and they began to wail. was jumpin' and the joint began to swing. You should've heard those knocked out jailbirds sing. Let's rock, everybody, let's rock. Everybody in the whole cell block was dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock. Spider Murphy played the tenor saxophone, Little Joe was blowin' on the slide trombone. The drummer boy from Illinois went CRASH BOOM BANG! the whole rhythm section was the Purple Gang. Let's rock, everybody, let's rock. Everybody in the whole cell block was dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock. Was dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock. Was dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock. Was dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock. [CURTAIN]! SCENE THREE - R & B SONGS: Crossroad Blues, In front of curtain walks out Journalist Robert Palmer! ROBERT PALMER: Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen my name is ROBERT PALMER. I was a writer and musicologist who contributed to and Magazine. "Rock 'n' Roll was an inevitable outgrowth of the social and musical interactions between people of all different colors in the South and Southwest. Its roots are a complex tangle. Church music influenced blues, rural blues influenced folk song and the of the Northern ghettos, blues and pop influenced , and so on. But the single most important process was the influence of African Amer- ican musicians.” Robert walks off stage right, Stage manager sets up 2 pedestals stage left - Trixie Smith statue on a one pedestal. Duke Ellington on another BEFORE LEADs walks in.! LEAD 1: (Runs over to Trixie) Oh WOW! There were women involved in ’n’ Roll? LEAD 2:Not too close LEAD 1: (turns to LEAD 2) Why? TRIXIE SMITH: (puts hands on LEAD 1’s shoulder) Hey there sugar. LEAD 1: (screams!) LEAD 2: Told you! TRIXIE:You betcha there were women in Rock n’ Roll history darlin’ and I ain’t the only one. I’m Trixie Smith. I was a blues singer, recording artist, actress and Vaudeville entertainer. I sang a song called “My Man Rocks Me With One Steady Roll” in 1922. It is the first recording to reference the phrase “Rock and Roll” Historians credit my performance in this song as the major inspiration for the term “Rock and Roll!” LEAD 1: Wow! I can’t believe a girl had such a huge impact on Rock n’ Roll. TRIXIE: That’s right sugar. The Blues influenced Rock n’ Roll, but first it lead to some great Jazz in the twenties. LEAD 2: COOL! DUKE: (to LEADs) Hey there cool cat! LEAD 2: Hey there, Who are you? DUKE: I’m Duke Ellington, famous Jazz composer and band leader. Although I was never a part of that rock and roll scene, I helped contribute to the buzz of a new musical genre. My Jazz band recorded a song called “Rockin’ In Rhythm” in 1928. Blues and Jazz would share many musical sounds until the legendary blues guitarist Robert Johnson came along and popularized the guitar in something he liked to call the ! Robert Johnson walks on! ROBERT JOHNSON: Hi Duke and lost little girl! (walks over to Trixie) Hiiii Trixie! (flirtatiously) TRIXIE: (Giggles) ROBERT: Blues also benefited from the development of new amplification and electronic recording techniques from the onwards, including the invention of the elec- tric guitar! LEAD 1: Cool! I love electric guitar! ROBERT JOHNSON: I would influence Rock ’n’ Roll by creating a unique style of guitar playing and giving birth to the Delta Blues whose greatest admirer would be the great . The Delta Blues captured all of the soul in the blues and stretched it to the guitar. I went down to the crossroad, fell down on my knees I went down to the crossroad, fell down on my knees Asked the Lord above, "Have mercy, save me if you please.”

I went down to the crossroad, fell down on my knees I went down to the crossroad, fell down on my knees Nobody seem to know me, everybody pass me by.

I'm going down to Rosedale, take my rider by my side. I'm going down to Rosedale, take my rider by my side. You can still barrelhouse, baby, on the riverside. [CURTAIN] (Trixie, and leads stay in front of the curtain - Duke and Robert join singers on risers behind stage) ! [Ray Charles walks on and freezes on the podium Stage Left] LEAD: My oh my, there is so much history to Rock and Roll… I had no idea how slowly it evolved from all this old American music. I just thought it was Elvis and . TRIXIE: No way baby, Jazz and the blues gave birth to a whole new musical genre that would shake the world - ! We call it R&B. (walks over to Ray Charles on podium) This fine man here is Ray Charles. He mixed Jazz, Gospel and Blues to make R&B something really special. RAY CHARLES: (Jumps down off his podium and gives Trixie a hug) Hey there Trixie! I thought I heard you. TRIXIE:Hey Ray honey, how you doin? RAY: Not bad, not bad - feels good to get down off that podium and get a stretch (stretches his legs) Are these the two girls I’ve been hearin’ about? Need a little ex- tra education? LEAD 2:Hey, she was the one who wasn’t paying attention! TRIXIE:Yes, they need to get a thorough Rock n’ Roll history lesson before we can open the EXIT. RAY:Certainlty, In the 1940s early R&B featured the influence of Blues and Boogie Woogie LEAD 1: haha Boogie… LEAD 2: (Shoves LEAD 1) RAY: Most of the earliest Rhythm and Blues songs were vocal Jazz arrangements that emphasized songwriting style over instrumental virtuosity. In the late 1940s I started mixing lively and the blues to help form the influential style of Rhythm and Blues! Those hot Boogie Woogie rhythms mixed so well with the soul of the blues! LEAD 1: hahahahahaa boooooogie woogie! Gross. RAY: Are you even listening? LEAD 1: Sorry… what? RAY: [Shouting!] Are you kiddin’ me baby?! HIT THE ROAD JACK!! (gets back on his podium) [Music starts]! [CURTAIN] Girls: Hit the road Jack and don't you come back No more, no more, no more, no more Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more (Ray: What you say?!) Hit the road Jack and don't you come back No more, no more, no more, no more Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more Boys: Woah, woman, oh woman, don't treat me so mean You're the meanest old woman that I've ever seen I guess if you said so I'd have to pack my things and go (Ray: That’s right)! Girls: Hit the road Jack and don't you come back No more, no more, no more, no more Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more (Ray: What you say?!) Hit the road Jack and don't you come back No more, no more, no more, no more Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more Boys: Now baby, listen baby, don't ya treat me this a way 'Cause I'll be back on my feet some day Don't care if you do 'cause it's understood You ain't got no money you just ain't no good Well, I guess if you say so I'd have to pack my things and go (Ray: That’s right)! Hit the road Jack and don't you come back No more, no more, no more, no more Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more (Ray: What you say?!) Hit the road Jack and don't you come back No more, no more, no more, no more Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more [The Coasters come on stage] THE COASTERS: [Shouting] It’s and R&B JAM!!! C’mon boys lets rock some more rhythm and blues while everyone’s here! LEAD 2: Who are you guys? THE COASTERS: We are the Coasters, and we are going to clean up the stage with our hit from the 50s. YAKETY YAK Take out the papers and the trash, Or you don’t get no spending cash. If you don’t mop that kitchen floor, You ain’t gonna rock and roll no more. Yakety Yak - Don’t Talk Back Just finish cleaning up your room, Let’s see that dust fly with that broom. Get all that garbage outa sight, Or you don’t go out Friday night. Yakety Yak - Don’t Talk Back! Just go put on your coat and hat, And walk yourself to the laundromat. And when you’re finished doing that, Bring in the dog and put out the cat! Yakety Yak - Don’t Talk Back! Yakety Yak - Yakety Yak Yakety Yak - Yakety Yak Yakety Yak - Yakety Yak Yakety Yak - Yakety Yak LEAD 1:This music is a lot of fun, but it doesn't sound like Rock n’ Roll. [Fats Domino walks in] FATS DOMINO: That’s because you haven’t heard me sing yet! LEAD 2:Who are you? FATS:My name is Antoine (Antwan) Domino, but everyone calls me FATS! LEAD 2: [laughs] But, isn’t that mean? Does it hurt your feelings? FATS: Nah, in fact that nickname helped me write my first hit, THE FAT MAN! My music had elements of Jazz and R&B, but my playing was something off the charts! I played Boogie Woogie in my left had and pounded lightening fast with my right! [Shouting] LET’S HIT IT BOYS! They call, they call me the fat man 'Cause I weight two hundred pounds All the girls they love me 'Cause I know my way around I was standin', I was standin' on the corner Of Rampart and Canal I was watchin', watchin' Watchin' all these creole gals Wah wah wah, wah wah Wah wah waah, wah wah wah Wah wah waah, wah wah wah Wah wah wah Wah waaa-ah wah Wah wah wah, wah wah wah Wah wah wah, wah wah wah Wah wah wah I'm goin', I'm goin' goin' away And I'm goin', goin' to stay 'Cause women and a bad life They're carrying this soul away. [CURTAIN]! SCENE FOUR - Rock n’ Roll / Day the Music Died SONGS: Rock around the Clock, Let’s Have A Party, Little Red Riding Hood, La Bamba, Everyday [In front of the curtain - Bill Haley (in plaid blazer) and Wanda Jackson (in frills) up on the Pedestal] BILL HALEY:R & B merged with Country and Western music as their popularity grew in the early . Once record labels, singers and songwriters noticed how much young people loved these new sounds started being recorded. WANDA:And I was considered the Queen of Rockabilly, even Elvis gave me his seal of approval! LEAD: Rocka-what? BILL: Rockabilly! - It’s a combination of Rock and ! WANDA:YEA! and I was the QUEEN! BILL: YES, Wanda, we get it… [sacrastically] you were the Queen. LEAD: That’s so cool that women were involved in Rock and Roll back then! Who else sung Rockabilly? BILL: Well, I don’t want to toot my own horn, but I was kind of a big deal! LEAD: Who are you? BILL: I’m Bill Haley and this is Wanda Jackson! I was the first Rock n’ Roll artist to ever have a number one song on the charts! I used Jazzy Swing music to get all the kids on the dance floor and start bopping to Rockabilly! Me and my band THE COMETS recorded some well known tunes that I am sure you’ve heard! [CURTAIN]! (Boys in suits and girls in blouses, cardigans and poodle skirts)! One, two, three o'clock, four o'clock rock Five, six, seven o'clock, eight o'clock rock Nine, ten, eleven o'clock, twelve o'clock rock We're gonna rock around the clock tonight Put your glad rags on, join me, Hon We'll have some fun when the clock strikes one We're gonna rock around the clock tonight We're gonna rock, rock, rock, 'til broad daylight Wer're gonna rock, gonna rock around the clock tonight When the clock strikes two, three and four If the band slows down we'll yell for more We're gonna rock around the clock tonight We're gonna rock, rock, rock, 'til broad daylight We're gonna rock, gonna rock around the clock tonight [Instrumental Interlude]! When the chimes ring five, six, and seven We'll be right in seventh heaven We're gonna rock around the clock tonight We're gonna rock, rock, rock, 'til broad daylight We're gonna rock, gonna rock around the clock tonight When it's eight, nine, ten, eleven too I'll be goin' strong and so will you We're gonna rock around the clock tonight We're gonna rock, rock, rock, 'til broad daylight We're gonna rock, gonna rock around the clock tonight [Instrumental Interlude]! When the clock strikes twelve, we'll cool off then Start a'rockin' round the clock again We're gonna rock around the clock tonight We're gonna rock, rock, rock, 'til broad daylight We're gonna rock, gonna rock around the clock tonight LEAD: You’re right! I totally know that song!! I feel like I want to party! WANDA:If you wanna party darlin’ listen to this song, and you’ll be dancing in no time! Some people like to rock, Some people like to roll But movin' and a groovin’ gonna satisfy my soul Let’s have a party, Ooh, let's have a party Well, send it to the store, let's buy some more Let's have a party tonight! I never kissed a bear, I never kissed a goon But I can shake a chicken in the middle of the room Let's have a party, Ooh, let's have a party Oh, send it to the store, let's buy some more Let's have a party tonight! I never kissed a bear, I never kissed a goon But I can shake a chicken in the middle of the room Let's have a party, Ooh, let's have a party Oh, send it to the store, let's buy some more Let's have a party tonight! Honkey Tonk Joe is knockin at the door, Let him in, fill him up and send it to the floor Let's have a party, Ooh, let's have a party Oh, send it to the store, let's buy some more Let's have a party tonight! [CURTAIN] [4th grade ‘ Day the Music Died’ take the stage] LEAD 2:Oh Man, it seems like Rock n’ Roll was so much fun! Did anyone ever sing sad songs? BILL:Well, it was’t always fun and games. WANDA: There was a really sad day for music, when two rising stars were tragically killed in a fateful plane crash. BILL:They call it THE DAY THE MUSIC DIED. We’ll let these legendary singers tell the story! [BILL and WANDA leave the stage AS Buddy, Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens enter] BUDDY:Hey Partner, I’m Buddy Holly, I was a famous young Rockabilly star from who rose to be the brightest Rock n’ Roller of the 50s. I also sung doo wop and romantic pop songs. RITCHIE:Hi, I’m Ritchie Valens! I was the first Mexican-American to make it in Rock n’ Roll! BIG BOPPER:[shouted] I’M THE BIG BOPPER BABIES! My name is JP Richardson but I go by the Big Bopper! Everyone loves the way I get the party started! [Holds up the phone to his ear] “Helloooooo Baby! Big Bopper here! Who’s this?… Little Red Riding Hood? “Well Let me in, honey - This is the Big Bopper knocking!!” Hello, Little Red Ring Hood, I heard about you And it's all been good I wanna meet you so I'm standing at your door I been a-knocking ’til My knuckles are sore Baby, let me in - I wanna be your friend Bing bang biddledy bang, Baby, let me in I been talking to The three little pigs When they saw you, man They flipped their wigs Said you're the swinginest and that's no lie I'll take you, baby - For you I got eyes Baby, let me in - I wanna be your friend Bing bang biddledy bang, Baby, let me in I'm the big bad wolf That you heard about Something about you Just knocks me out Let me in, baby While your grandma ain't around Or I'll huff, I'll puff And blow your house down RITCHIE VALENS: My smash hit song LA BAMBA, was the first ever hit American song in Span- ish. It made me an overnight sensation! And I was still in High School - TAKE THAT JUSTIN BEIBER!! Para bailar a La Bamba, Para bailar a La Bamba Se necessit-una poca de gracia, Una poca de gracia Par’mi, par’ti ah - arriba, arriba Arriba arriba, Por ti sere, por ti sere, por ti sere Yo no soy marinero, Yo no soy marinero, soy capitan Soy capitan, soy capitan. Bam-ba, bamba Bam-ba bamba, Bam-ba bamba, Ba Para bailar La Bamba, Para bailar La Bamba Se necessita una poca de gracia Una poca de gracia, Para mi, para ti, arriba, arriba ()! BUDDY:Wow! Those were some rockin’ songs guys, but remember, we were supposed to tell this little stowaway our story. So, it was the WINTER DANCE PARTY tour in February 1959! Our manager put us on a last minute show so we had to take a small plane in order to get there in time because our tour bus couldn’t handle the weather. Well… the weather got worse and a snow storm became a blizzard and our pilot couldn’t control the plane and we went down shortly after take-off. RITCHIE: As tragic as it was to lose such talented musicians at such a young age, we have been immortalized as legends of Rock n Roll. BUDDY:We’d like to end with one more song, maybe something a bit more mellow? (looks to the other musicians) Whata ya say boys? Everyday it's a-gettin' closer - Goin’ faster than a roller coaster Love like yours will surely come my way - A-hey, a-hey-hey Everyday it's a-gettin' faster - Everyone said, "Go ahead and ask her" Love like yours will surely come my way -A-hey, a-hey-hey Everyday seems a little longer, Every way love's a little stronger Come what may - Do you ever long for true love from me? Everyday it's a-gettin' closer - Goin' faster than a rollercoaster Love like yours will surely come my way - A-hey, a-hey-hey Everyday seems a little longer, Every way love's a little stronger Come what may - Do you ever long for true love from me? Everyday it's a-gettin' closer - Goin' faster than a rollercoaster Love like yours will surely come my way. [CURTAIN] SCENE FIVE - ROCK! Good Golly Miss Molly, [in front of curtain] (Leads walking around looking lost) LEAD 2: I wonder what is next… this museum is so huge, and there is so much history of Rock n’ Roll I feel like we will never get out… LEAD 1: OKAY. Early blues from prisoners was formed from spiritual and . Then there was country music, then rhythm & blues and Rockabilly is the combination of Rock and Hillbilly. [Little Richard and Chuck Berry sneak up behind her] But I still don’t understand how all of this becomes rock and roll… did all of these gen- res get combines? LITTLE RICHARD & CHUCK BERRY: [From behind Leads] BOO! LEADs: [scream and fall down] LITTLE RICHARD & CHUCK BERRY: [Laugh and High-Five] LEADs: [gets up and brushes herself off] GOOD GOLLY! LITTLE RICHARD: MISS MOLLY! CHUCK BERRY: SURE LIKES TO BALL! LITTLE RICHARD: WHEN YOU’RE ROCKIN’ AND A ROLLIN’ CHUCK BERRY: CAN’T HEAR YOU MAMA CALL! (Leads run off stage) [MUSIC STARTS & CURTAIN OPENS] (3rd Graders behind the curtain on risers) (Chuck w/ guitar dancing, Little Richard standing at the piano, LEAD dancing on the side - singing along) Good Golly Miss Molly, sure like to ball. Good golly, Miss Molly, sure like to ball. When you're rockin' and a rollin', I can't hear your momma call.

From the early early mornin' till the early early night When I caught Miss Molly rockin' at the house of blue lights. Good golly, Miss Molly, sure like to ball. When you're rockin' and a rollin', I can't hear your momma call.

Momma, poppa told me: "Son, you better watch yourself." If they knew about miss molly, I have to walk all by myself. Good golly, Miss Molly, sure like a ball. When you're rockin' and a rollin', I can't hear your momma call.

I am going to the corner, gonna buy a diamond ring. Would you pardon me a tip made me ting-a-ling-a-ling. Good golly, Miss Molly, sure like a ball. When you're rockin' and a rollin', I can't hear your momma call.

Good golly, Miss Molly, sure like a ball. Good golly, Miss Molly, sure like a ball. When you're rockin' and a rollin', I can't hear your momma call. (Singers sit on risers) [Robert Palmer walks out while audience is applauding] ROBERT PALMER: Now when the Blues led to R&B, and Country led to Rockabilly - Rock n’ Roll really picked up when all four of these genres merged together in a crazy explo- sion of energy and fantastic sounds! [walks over to Little Richard and presents him to the audience] Artists like Little Richard and [over to Chuck and presents him] Chuck Berry who pushed Rock n’ Roll even further gave the Beatles some of their earli- est material! Good Golly Miss Molly is one of Little Richards best known songs, and now for a classic from Chuck Berry! (Singers stand) CHUCK: [shouting out to the audience] You ready to hear some ROCK AND ROLL MUSIC!!? I CAN’T HEAR YOU- ARE YOU READY TO HEAR SOME ROCK AND ROLL MUSIC!? Just let me hear some of that Rock And Roll Music, Any old way you choose it; It's got a back beat, you can't lose it, Any old time you use it. It's gotta be Rock And Roll Music, If you want to dance with me, If you want to dance with me. I've got no kick against modern jazz, Unless they try to play it way too fast; And change the beauty of the melody, Until they sounded like a symphony, That's why I go for that Rock And Roll Music Any old way you choose it; It's got a back beat, you can't lose it, Any old time you use it. It's gotta be Rock And Roll Music, If you want to dance with me, If you want to dance with me. [Curtain] SCENE SIX Songs: With a little help from my friends, you can’t always get what you want, Dreamin’ All Along the Watch Tower [The Beatles frozen on a podium stage left holding a sign that says ]! LEAD 2: Woah, I know these guys!! You’re the… the…. oh man! I can’t remember their name… the, the… BEATLES: [All together] THE BEATLES! [They jump off the podium and toss the sign] LEAD 2: [Screams] JOHN:Oh Darling! Please believe me, I never meant to do you no wrong! PAUL:Dear Prudence! LEAD: You scared me! That wasn’t very nice! PAUL: We can work it out, Honey Pie. GEORGE:Hello, Goodbye [They start to leave]! LEAD 1:HELP! [The Beatles stop in their track] Won’t you please please help me? [they turn around] [She starts to cry]! JOHN:Martha My Dear, Don’t Cry Baby Cry. PAUL:Yea, Just Let it Be. LEAD 1: [sniffling] Who’s Martha? JOHN:We can help you, Tell us what you need? LEAD 1:We’ve got to get out of this museum! LEAD 2:We are lost and stuck here and we just want to go home. RINGO:Well! You can do that… With a Little Help From your Friends! [CURTAIN] What would you think if I sang out of tune Would you stand up and walk out on me? Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song And I'll try not to sing out of key Oh I get by with a little help from my friends Mm I get by with a little help from my friends Mm going to try with a little help from my friends What do I do when my love is away? (Does it worry you to be alone?) How do I feel by the end of the day? (Are you sad because you're on your own?) No I get by with a little help from my friends Mm I get by with a little help from my friends Mm going to try with a little help from my friends Do you need anybody? I need somebody to love Could it be anybody? I want somebody to love Oh I get by with a little help from my friends Mm going to try with a little help from my friends Oh I get by with a little help from my friends Yes I get by with a little help from my friends With a little help from my friends [Lights Flicker - Hippies on risers get off the risers and pick up picket signs] [Beatles and LEAD run to the STAGE RIGHT] [Hippies hold up Picket Signs like: (PEACE, LOVE, HIPPIES RULE) and start chanting] HIPPIES:NO NO, WE WON’T GO! NO NO, WE WON’T GO! NO NO, WE WON’T GO! LEAD 2:What are they doing? JOHN: Protesting my dear, All they are saying is GIVE PEACE A CHANCE! LEAD 2: [screams] STOP!!!!!!!!!!! [Everyone freezes]! LEAD:This is enough! I have learned enough about Rock and Roll History, I just want to go home! I want to go home! I want to go… HIPPIE #1: [Cuts LEAD off] You can’t always get what you want! A Capella: No You can’t always get what you want. You can’t always get what you want. You can’t always get what you want. But if you try sometimes, well, you might find You get what you need. With Guitar: You can’t always get what you want. You can’t always get what you want. You can’t always get what you want. But if you try sometimes, well, you just might find You get what you need. LEAD: Who are you guys? HIPPIE #1: We are what you might call… hippies. HIPPIE #2:We love a good protest! HIPPIE #1:We were originally a youth movement that arose in the during the mid- and spread to other countries around the world. The word 'hippie' came from hipster, and was initially used to describe beatniks who had moved into 's and San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury district. HIPPIE #2:And now we live here in DUBLIN, just waiting for a good song to break out so we can share the 1960s contribution to Rock n’ Roll History! HIPPIE #1Don’t you just looooove (Love) CALIFORNIA!!!?? (Hippies put down their picket signs and get back to their spots on the risers) All the leaves are brown and the sky is gray. I've been for a walk on a winter's day. I'd be safe and warm if I was in L.A.; California dreamin' on such a winter's day. Stopped in to a church I passed along the way. Well I got down on my knees and I pretend to pray. You know the preacher liked the cold; He knows I'm gonna stay. California dreamin' on such a winter's day. California dreamin' on such a winter's day. California dreamin' on such a winter's day. [CURTAIN] [Hippies put on Black T-Shirts to become additional Punk rockers] SCENE SEVEN Blitzkreig Bop! We Will Rock You! Jump! [CURTAIN OPENS- Flashing lights] [punk rockers AND all jumping and singing!] Hey ho, let's go - Hey ho, let's go They're forming in a straight line, They're going through a tight wind, The kids are losing their minds, The Blitzkrieg Bop! They're piling in the back seat, They're generating steam heat, Pulsating to the back beat, The Blitzkrieg Bop! Hey ho, let's go- Shouting in the back now, What they want, I don't know, They're all revved up and ready to go! Hey ho, let's go - Hey ho, let's go! Hey ho, let's go - Hey ho, let's go! Hey ho, let's go - Hey ho, let's go! [LEAD walks on-stage, Punk Rockers sit on risers, Ramones walk up to LEAD] JOEY RAMONE: Hey Little Girl! We heard you were lost and we thought we could help teach you about ! LEAD 1:Who are you guys? JOEY RAMONE: We are the Ramones! From Forest Hills Queens! We busted on the scene in 1974 with that song, Blitzkreig Bop! We only had limited commercial success but we influenced the entire PUNK movement! TOMMY RAMONE: We rebelled against the mainstream and helped show kids that it was cool to be different even when others thought you were weird. JOEY:Yea, Weird can be cool! LEAD 2:Was Punk Rock the only influential music in the ? JOEY:WHAT?! NO WAY! There is this incredible band called ! That was just as influential in the 70s as the Beatles were in the 60s. They rocked harder than any other music of their time contributing to , , and HEAVY METAL! [QUEEN walk on stage] TOMMY:Who are you guys?!? FREDDY:We are the band Queen, and I am the legendary Freddy Mercury, they call me Mr. Fahrenheit! TOMMY: Any idea what happened to Led Zeppelin? I was just telling this little punk rocker all about how influential they were in the 1970s FREDDY: Led Zeppelin couldn't make it, their private jet broke down. [Turns to LEAD] But if you want influential little darling, we are at your service. Queen rocked for hun- dreds of thousands of fans all over the world popularizing in the late 70s and 1980s. Our anthemic songs have been featured in movies and are even used till this day in sporting events!! LEAD:Really? What song? I love screaming my head off at baseball games… GO GIANTS!!!!! FREDDY:Why don’t we show you instead of tell you. [shouts out the audience] AND FEEL FREE LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, TO SING ALONG! (Music Starts, Singers stand) Buddy you're a boy make a big noise Playin' in the street gonna be a big man some day You got mud on yo' face - You big disgrace Kickin' your can all over the place Singin’ We will we will rock you We will we will rock you Buddy you're a young man hard man Shoutin' in the street gonna take on the world some day You got blood on yo' face - You big disgrace Wavin' your banner all over the place We will we will rock you We will we will rock you Buddy you're an old man poor man Pleadin' with your eyes gonna make you some peace some day You got mud on your face ya Big disgrace Somebody better put you back into your place We will we will rock you We will we will rock you We will we will rock you We will we will rock you! [Curtain] [stage hand puts out EXIT archway, and a pedestal and Elvis gets on and freezes like a statue] [Once the curtain in fully closed and Elvis is frozen, leads walk in singing] LEADS: [in unison] WE WILL WE WILL ROCK YOU! [Laugh] LEAD 1:I LOVE that song! LEAD 2:Look Elvis!! [The girls run over to him]! ELVIS: Hey there girls, I see that you’ve made your way through the museum! LEAD 1:Yea, you didn’t say how AWESOME it would be! ELVIS: Well, the EXIT doors have been unlocked and now you’re free to go. LEAD 1:But we didn’t learn about you Elvis! We learned all about how country lead to Rockabilly and then led to 50’s Rock n’ Roll, and then before we knew it we were all caught up singing ! ELVIS:Well, I was here guarding , making sure no more little girls were lost! LEAD 2:Sorry Elvis, will you tell us how you influenced Rock n’ Roll?! ELVIS: I thought you’d never ask! [Elvis end theme comes on and he runs around the stage waving at the audience] [Curtain opens] Entire 5th grade class wearing some type of Elvis costume (sunglasses, scarf, etc.) ELVIS: Well, I’m from Tupelo, Mississippi and I recorded my first song for my dear mama in 1953, but I was also hoping to be discovered! I had saved up some money from a job drivin’ trucks to continue trying to record music because truck drivn’ wasn’t meant for me - I wanted to be a singer! After quite a few failed attempts, a record executive found my sound when I was goofin’ around singing “That’s Alright” Soon I was singing country tunes, old blues songs, pop standards… but things really clicked when I started singing Rockabilly! Boy oh Boy, the fans went crazy for Blue Suede Shoes, Hound Dog, Jailhouse Rock… Pretty soon, before I knew it I was the first Rock Star! So how about I sing you that first hit of mine from 1954?! Well, that's all right now mama That's all right with you That's all right now mama, just anyway you do That's all right, that's all right That's all right now mama, anyway you do I'm leaving town, baby I'm leaving town for sure Well, then you won't be bothered with me hanging 'round your door Well, that's all right, that's all right That's all right now mama, anyway you do That's all right, that's all right That's all right now mama, anyway you do Well, that's all right now mama, anyway you do LEAD 1:Thanks so much Elvis for helping us! LEAD 2:We’d be stuck in this museum forever if it wasn’t for you! ELVIS:Just doin’ what I do best girls! [Leads walk towards the EXIT] [All of the 5th grade characters wave] ALL: BYE! LEAD 2:Goodbye. LEAD 1: Thanks everyone we will never forget you! LEAD 2:And we’ll never forget Rock n’ Roll! [CURTAIN]