Here’s something we all do without asking why. When we gather together for a group picture, the person behind the camera will probably try to get a smile by demanding that everyone say “cheese.”
This is a surefire way to bring a smile to everyone’s face. But “why say cheese?”
It’s a bit of a mystery. In the early days of photography, showing teeth was considered indecent, perhaps due to poor dental hygiene. The photographers’ order was “Say prunes.” This kept the lips tight and explained why so many people had their pictures taken with duck lips.
The earliest reference to saying “cheese” comes from a Texas newspaper report in October 1943, when Joseph E. Davis, former ambassador to Moscow, revealed his secret of looking pleasant despite the circumstances. “Just say ‘cheese’ quietly over and over again,” he said, adding that he learned this trick from an unnamed politician.
It might have been then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was known to say “cheese” before having his picture taken because he knew the “ch” sound would bring a smile to his lips.
Is that where the “cheese” command originated from? Perhaps.
Rock has its own weird quirks, rituals, activities and behaviors that we all do because… well, just because. We accept these things, never bothering to realize that everyone else is talking and behaving in similar ways. Let’s change that right now.
Why is this music called rock ‘n’ roll?
The term predates any use in music. In the 1600s, sailors used it to describe the rolling motion of a ship in the open ocean. In the late 19th century, it was used to paint a picture of raucous gospel singing in black churches. But by the 1920s, it had become an African-American euphemism for sex.
“Rocking and Rolling” began to feature among the dirty songs of black recordings of the day with its first appearance in Trixie Smith’s 1922 hit, My Man Rocks Me (With a Steady Roll), Over the next 30 years, “rock,” “rockin'” and “rocking and rolling” appeared in at least a dozen more songs, including a review of a song by a young singer named Bing Crosby.
Fast forward to 1951, when radio DJ Alan Freed made a name for himself by playing R&B records by black artists for white audiences. At first, he called himself “Moondog” and “King of the Moondoggers” and held proto-rock concert events he called “Moondog Balls”. But then a blind New York City street musician named Moondog asked his lawyers to let Freed end it.
Looking for a new catchphrase, Freed searched black culture and came up with “rock and roll”. He knew the meaning – and so did his young white audience.
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Freed holds all the records he played on his show “Rock ‘n’ Roll”. The public bought in so much that Freed even tried to trademark the term for his exclusive use. But by then it was too late. Everyone was calling this new music “rock ‘n’ roll”.
What is the difference between ‘rock ‘n’ roll’ and ‘rock’ music?
The original rock ‘n’ roll era began in the 1950s and lasted until approximately 1965. During that time, the sound and attitude was associated with Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, Little Richard and all the early pioneers. As exciting as it was, rock ‘n’ roll was not held in high regard by older generations. It was disposable, fleeting and vulgar music for children. It was not serious music.
But things changed in the mid-60s. The music became more sophisticated, faster and heavier. Songwriting and arrangements moved beyond simple two-and-a-half-minute exercises in 12-bar blues form. Singles – cheap 45 rpm singles – gave way to albums, many of which were treated as serious and legitimate pieces of art that demanded attention, analysis, and proper criticism.
“Rock ‘n’ roll” referred to music that was old and obsolete. “Rock” was the new sound. Elvis was “rock ‘n’ roll”. The Beatles (especially later) Sergeant Pepper), Led Zeppelin, The Who, and The Rolling Stones were “rock”.
Rock ‘n’ roll eventually lost its old-timey connotations. We heard someone scream “ROCK AND ROOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLL!” There is an equal chance of hearing. “Let’s Rock!” Speech concert at a concert called…
Why do some idiots shout ‘Freebird’! At concerts?
If you’ve been to enough shows, you’ve heard the guy demanding the artist play that classic Lynyrd Skynyrd song at the most inopportune time. Where did this meme come from?
The best one can tell is that it was the invention of a Chicago radio DJ named Kevin Matthews. In the 1970s, he had an on-air bit where he would encourage listeners – known as Caveheads – to shout “Freebird!” Used to encourage shouting. At any concert. The weirder the situation, the better.
In one story Florence Henderson – the mother of The Brady Bunch – had to endure the Caveheads yelling “Freebird” during one of her shows. Or it could have been during a performance by the Chicago Symphony. Another story is that it was happening at a Jim Nabors concert.
Whatever the actual origin, this violation of concert etiquette has persisted.
Why are rock stars so short?
If you’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting a rock star – especially one who’s older and British – you may have been surprised by how short they are, standing at or under five feet eight inches. Why? Bill Wyman, ex-bassist of The Rolling Stones, has a simple answer: wartime food rationing.
When World War II ended in 1945, food rationing in Britain continued for the next eight years. Future rock stars of the 1960s and 70s suffered from poor nutrition, which stunted their growth, leaving them significantly smaller than their non-British contemporaries. Roger Daltrey of The Who is five feet seven inches tall at best. Phil Collins? Around 5-6. Ozzie is 5-9. The Small Faces were really small and each member stood less than 5 feet 6 inches tall. They just became faces when Rod Stewart joined because he was comparatively huge at 5-10.
It’s not just the Britons. Ronnie James Dio was 5-3. The flea of chili peppers is 5-6. Eddie Vedder can’t be more than 5-7. Why? I am not sure. Maybe they didn’t eat well as teenagers because they were pursuing their musical dreams. More study is needed.
What’s in the devil’s horned hand sign?
You’ve seen it: A performer or audience member holding up a hand with the index finger and little finger extended. This has become a standard thing in the metal world. Yet that’s not where it came from.
In 1966, The Beatles held a photo session. In one shot John is clearly displaying the horns. Then check out the artwork from The Beatles’ 1968 Yellow Submarine project. There’s John again, this time in animated form, blowing his horn.
Another possible source is an American band called Coven and all their supporting secret illustrations. In 1969, he released an album titled Witchcraft destroys minds and destroys souls, Singer Jinx Dawson appears on the cover, playing horns. He claims that he had displayed this sign on stage in 1967 itself.
But what about Ronnie James Dio? He certainly brightened up the sign a lot. He claims it originated with his grandmother who used to perform “Malochio” to ward off the evil eye.
Dio explained: “It’s just a symbol but it had magical spells in it, and I thought it worked very well. …I became very famous for it and then everyone else started picking it up and it took off.
Although, truth be told, we have to give credit to Buddhists who have used this gesture for centuries to help cast out demons. However, it is not that he was interested in any kind of music.
Do you have any other weird rock behavior that needs explaining? drop me a line.
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alan cross Is a broadcaster with Q107 and 102.1 The Edge and a commentator for Global News.
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