Have you noticed that music ennobles, gives strength and energy? And if it’s rock music, it also makes your heart beat faster. More than seventy years of history are reflected in this genre. It can be read like a book that concentrates social problems, protests, and people’s expectations in different eras.
The history of rock music is changeable and even unpredictable, as the genre has been constantly redefined and reinterpreted since its inception. Today, we will look at the main milestones in the formation and evolution of rock music — from its inception to the present day. Note that in this article, we will focus on the Western scene (primarily the US and the UK), as the Soviet and post-Soviet scenes deserve a separate article and approach.
What is rock?
Let’s take a look at the Collins Cobuild English dictionary. It provides a concise definition: “Rock is loud music with a strong rhythm, usually performed and sung by a small group of people using instruments such as electric guitars and drums.” It sounds simple enough, but a closer look at the evolution of the genre shows how different styles and influences have shaped it over the years. Dozens of genres have found refuge under this banner.
Learn more about the best games – aloha cluster pays slot
The late 1940s: the dawn
The UK was undergoing a difficult recovery after World War II. The younger generation, who had been in the trenches, now wanted a relaxation of the regime, social freedoms, and greater participation in the life of the country. However, the crown and parliament were in no hurry to do so, unwilling to change anything “except the weather” — one of the reasons for the emergence of the counterculture, which would soon blossom into “rebellious music.”
Crossing the English Channel, we see a completely different picture: no ration cards and no destroyed industrial centers. The economy is “roaring” upward by inertia. At the same time, society is divided into two unequal parts. Luther King is still a long way off… The black population expresses its feelings in music that blends rhythm and blues, jazz, boogie-woogie, gospel, and rockabilly. Add to this the “freedom-loving” (and sometimes obscene) lyrics, slang, and energetic performances, and this music is already gaining respect among “white” youth!
The 1950s: a growing storm
DJs on American radio began to broadcast this new, still unformed genre, which ran counter to traditional Protestant values. In Britain, the conservative BBC reigned supreme, with censorship so strict that “not even a mouse could slip through.” However, the new sound spread like wildfire: quickly and to the top.
Musicologists argue about the starting point. We will go by the performers and support the view of Billboard magazine, which named Chuck Berry the first true rock and roll star in 1953. His stage presence and electric guitar technique were something completely new. It was Berry who was the forerunner of Buddy Holly, the second great songwriter and performer of the 1950s. Together, they created the artistic template for rock in the 1960s.
At the same time, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Bill Haley appeared on the scene. Strict and devout parents of teenagers from the provincial “South” watched with apprehension as their children danced and pranced in front of the mirror to Little Richard, Ray Charles, Chuck Berry, and James Brown.
The 1960s: boundless popularity
Even the BBC was powerless to stop “this contagion” from spreading to the islands. Young people preferred to ignore it and tune in to underground radio stations broadcasting from neutral waters. The 1960s were a time of change and an incredible band phenomenon. After listening to Elvis Presley and Buddy Holly, British teenagers with washboards and guitars slung over their shoulders began to form bands! This is how The Beatles were born in the port city of Liverpool and The Rolling Stones in London. The early 1960s saw a widespread craze for skiffle music (inspired by American folk). The English looked across the ocean with envy. And there…
The 1970s: the era of cult bands
One of the most influential decades. Music began to “get heavier,” and new hard rock bands replaced the old idols. Studio equipment gave artists more than four tracks to work with, opening up opportunities for experimentation. Remember Alan Parsons’ work on Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon — space!
