Rock and Roll was heavily influenced by the"rebellious" stage, which was insanely popular amongst teenagers, young adults, and some public figures e.g rock bands/singers. A popular example of a "group" from this time period would be "Greasers". The original influence was rebellion, and American society today simply sees rock as another category of music to listen to, we see it as an era that once was. Elvis Presley really sky rocketed the genres popularity. Think "sex, drugs, and rock and roll", huge phrase then and even sometimes now.