Did Aaron Invent Rock Music 3400 or So Years Ago Before Elvis?

[Mr. Lunt]

Okay, name me a rock song from, say, the '70s that is not 4/4. (So with this knowledge, you're a musician, right? What do you play? I'm a guitarist.)

This is an interesting challenge, please let me chime in even though it was addressed to JonC because music production and theory is something I find interest in.
Nearly in the 1970s is "America" by Simon & Garfunkel (1968) in 3/4 time.
"We Are the Champions" by Queen (1977) in 6/8.
"Four Sticks" by Led Zeppelin jumps around multiple time signatures, primarily 5/8 and 6/8. That's also in the 70s.

There's more. I think it is precise to say that most rock songs are in 4/4 time, but it's not a rule that I am aware of.

 

[Mr. Lunt]

However, Frank Garlock points out that, unlike in classical music, there is no letup in rock. In other words, it keeps building the tension with no release. That, to him, explains the immorality so often associated with rock. The emotional and physical release has to happen somewhere.

This is another claim that I would respectfully challenge. Some rock songs have tension with no release, but I would venture that most rock songs have both. Some do it very well, actually. "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey is a clear example. The intro, verses, and pre-chorus all build the tension and then the chorus comes very last in the song and releases it. It is done exceptionally well, that's why it was such a hit.

 

[Mr. Lunt]

Did Aaron invent rock music 3400 or so years ago before Elvis?

Exodus 32:17–18: "When Joshua heard the noise of the people shouting, he said to Moses, “There is the sound of war in the camp.” Moses replied: “It is not the sound of victory, it is not the sound of defeat; it is the sound of singing that I hear.”

We see music, dancing, and a lot of chaos going on in this passage, and the Israelites are directing their worship to the golden calf. But it is a massive non-sequitur to say that we know what the style of music was. Why not rap? Why not yodeling? Bluegrass? I never understood how people could make this claim.

Also, exegetically the music is not the point of the passage. Moses does not rebuke them for the style of music that they were doing, whatever it was. He rebukes them for abandoning Jehovah God for the golden calf. Is there anybody that actually thinks that this is true?