Chad Poulsen

Long live Rock, a history of Rock Music

MUSC 1040-001
April 26, 2014

The genre of Rock and Roll has shown a resilience to tragic events as it has continued to grow
from its early beginnings. In the early 1950s, Musicians began to mix the sounds of Rhythm n Blues
with Country music. This was soon coined as Rock n Roll by Cleveland radio personality Alan Freed.
Youth of this generation loved the fresh new sound. As the popularity increased various new artists
emerged starting in the south and eventually from other areas of the country. These artists included
many names that have lasted through the years such as Elvis Presley, Fats Domino, Little Richard, Chuck
Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Beach Boys, and Buddy Holly to name a few.
The influence of these artists would eventually branch off to create several new genres. The
most popular of these sub-genres will be the focus of this writing. The early days went through changes
of its own from the beginnings with Fats Domino and Elvis Presley to a more active sound like Jerry Lee
Lewis and Little Richard. Eventually this brought the studio heavy sound of The Beach Boys and The
Ronettes as well as Teen Idol Frankie Avalon.
As tragedy of accidents and other changes rocked the genre at the end of the decade, other
changes were looming. This was triggered mostly by a Liverpool, England band known as The Beatles.
Just as American artists like The Beach Boys and others of the time began to emerge as a popular name
in music their popularity was cut short. The British invasion began in 1964 when The Beatles Hard Days
Night swept the country making them one of the largest bands of the time. Other attempts for global
success preceded The Beatles but without the indigenous background of country and rhythm and blues
these attempts failed to gain popularity. Until the Beat craze of Europe opened the doors for British
artists who finally found a sound that closely duplicated American rock and roll. Such bands as Manfred
Mann, The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Hollies, Hermans Hermits and The Animals to name a few.
These bands even began to find success with songs written by American artists to further trump the
success of American artists who tried to find their own way in the music industry.
Near the end of the 1960s American artists began to find a way back to the spotlight with the
Psychedelic Rock movement. Many bands of the era began to write music meant to mimic the feel of
psychedelic drugs like acid and LSD. These performers emerged from the USA and the UK. The Beatles
also began to write music influenced by the availability of LSD. Other Groups included Jimi Hendrix, The
Grateful Dead, The Doors, Janis Joplin, Cream, and Pink Floyd. One song that shows many aspects
common in Psychedelic rock is The Doors Peace Frog. The Indian music sounds and Sitar can be found
in many popular songs of the time. Other singer/songwriters such as James Taylor, Paul Simon, Carole
King, and Cat Stevens find a way to make music fans would appreciate for years to come.
The early 1970s mark the deaths of Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, and Janis Joplin. This as well as
LSD becoming illegal bring a decline of Psychedelic Rock. New innovations such as the FM stereo, 8track, car stereos and later cassette tapes usher in a new era of rock music. This era is fronted by Hard
Rock, Heavy Metal and Progressive Rock bands. They began touring and holding shows in larger venues.
These shows included elaborate light shows, smoke, and fireworks. More powerful amps are created to
play these larger venues to more fans. Arena Rock was born. The use of electric guitars, keyboard,
synthesizers and other instruments would never be the same.

Bands like KISS, Journey, Foreigner, REO Speedwagon, Peter Frampton, Led Zeppelin, and Styx
dominate these arenas in the early days. Each found a sound that would drive fans wild at the large
venues. One example is the talk box used by Peter Frampton most commonly heard at the end of his
song Do You Feel Like We Do. Glam Metal acts like Aerosmith, Motley Cre, Quiet Riot, Cinderella, and
Bon Jovi take the dominance of these large shows through the 1980s until Alternative music challenges
the mainstream popularity of these shows.
In 1981, the development of MTV would help usher in a new form of popular music. Beginning
in the late 1970s Artists from The United States and England begin to fuse punk rock sounds with the
use of synthesizers and more complex music and lyrics. This fusion of sounds became known as New
Wave. Artists found they could make creative videos to go along with the music they create to launch
songs to popularity. The video for Take on Me by a-ha is one example of a video that helped to grow
the success of the network as well as the group. Some groups that helped take new wave to the
mainstream include Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, The B52s, Tears for Fears, The Cure, A Flock of
Seagulls The Talking Heads, Midnight Oil, The Psychedelic Furs, and New Order. The popularity of new
wave would help create a new, stripped down style that would then dominate the early 1990s.
In the late 1980s, the Seattle, Washington area creates a new sound that is influenced by
hardcore punk and heavy metal. The new music form becomes known as grunge. In the early 1990s,
bands such as Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains make grunge the most popular form
of hard rock music at that time. Grunge musicians notably had a more unkempt appearance and
rejected the theatrics of arena rock. The genre is characterized also by heavily distorted guitars and
angst filled lyrics. Nirvanas Nevermind album helped make these flannel clad bands a notable point for
hard rock of the decade. The sound would remain popular for several years before tragedy once again
shakes the music world. In 1994, Kurt Cobain is found dead in his Seattle home of an apparent suicide.
After the Death of Cobain, band mate Dave Grohl fronts a new band. His newly Formed Foo
Fighters develop a more radio friendly sound. The grunge elements of distorted guitars and attitude
remained but artists embraced a more commercially acceptable appearance and sound by working with
major labels. This can be heard through the Foo Fighters song Everlong. Other bands formed that
emulated this sound and brought success to many artists across the United States. Just a few of them
include Collective Soul, Matchbox Twenty, Candle Box, Live, and Incubus. Although Post Grunge was
dominated by male artists, Alanis Morrisette also paved the way for female artists. Bands like
Nickelback, Seether, and Shinedown carried the genre through the 20th century. The Post Grunge sound
has remained as a popular influence on Alternative music. Many bands who earned a name for
themselves during this period also continue to write hits today.
Though rock music as a genre continues to evolve, its influences throughout history can still be
seen and heard. Many influential artists from all areas of the world continue to find commercial success
and drive younger musicians to entertain us with their own musical interpretations. From humble
beginnings in Country and Blues, Rock n Roll music has grown to sell out stadiums with the popular
music loved by millions worldwide.

Chad Poulsen
Works Cited
History of Rock
Music 1040

http://www.rockmusictimeline.com/
http/www.brittanica.com/EBchecked/topic/80244/British-Invasion
http://classicrock.about.com/od/newreleases/a/101_psychrock.htm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzylKK8huQc&list=PL390141A638523E5F
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arena_rock
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_wave_music
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grunge_Rock
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-grunge