Richard A. Peterson ideas give some explanation but in my view not the whole story about the advent of rock.
There were a range of factors that lead to the rise of Rock n Roll in the 1950’s. Rock music is really a form of popular music but which appealed a particularly young audience. Before the 1950’s music wasn’t made for young people. Until then the music industry looked to sell to older people who had most of the wealth. What happened in the 1950’s was an explosion of teenage culture when young people with money in their pockets rebelled against the older generation’s values and Rock n Roll took advantage of this.
Peterson was right about some things. The growth of TV reached a new mass audience. Vinyl recordings were less fragile than shellac as well as being cheaper. Transistors meant smaller, cheaper and more portable radios. A new young audience could be reached by the music industry.
In my view the structure of the music industry didn’t lead to Rock n roll. It reflected and responded to the demands of the new audience.
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In fairness to Peterson, your final comment pretty much echoes his opening gambit. You have summarised many of the important facets of his argument here (be careful not to over emphasise the importance of TV in the early promotion of R&R - Peterson points to its major contribution being indirect in the hastening of wide spread radio licenses). Overall though this is quite good
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