From love to lollypops, every human emotion and want has been the subject of rock and roll music. Its wide popularity is due to its roots in American musical traditions. Rhythm and blues, gospel, and country music, including cowboy swing, and much more have had their influences. Originally, with string guitars and drums new bands and personalities used simple lyrics and strong beats to belt out a new generation’s feelings and desires.
In the 20s record recording, radio and films popularized many genres not known to so-called mainstream society. While the term rock and roll was not coined until the 50s, it has its roots in early America. African American folk music was rarely heard outside of Black society. Gospel music was limited to church gatherings and was divided by ethnic and class lines. Country and cowboy swing music rarely entered urban areas. These genres grew in popularity in urban areas during the 20s and 30s, but it was limited to dance halls and bar scenes. Continue reading
Punk rock is a style of rock music that is characterized by stripped-down musical arrangements and anti-establishment lyrics. It is often driven by distorted guitars pounding out power chords and features lead vocalists shouting out aggressive lyrics. Punk rock had its beginnings in the 60s. Many bands during this time would play music in a garage with strong limitations upon what kind of music they could play.
These bands were driven by a desire to play no-holds-barred rock and roll music, and this often meant breaking the established rules followed by those who were playing on the radio. The garage bands created music that sometimes sounded more like noise than music because of their commitment to expressive freedom. The Stooges, led by Iggy Pop, was one of the first punk rock bands, forming in 1968 and playing shows that were unpredictable and bizarre. Continue reading
Since the dawn of music, man has pushed to evolve everything; to transmute that which is simple and good into that which is epic and fantastic. Music is no exception to that rule. Between 1969 and 1976, punk rock emerged into the music scene, mostly from the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States.
The sound was new, but not what anyone in the business would call fresh. Jarring and up-beat, punk rock was the music of a generation that was mad at their dads. It came at an age when the world was a little volatile anyway, edging in to the cold war in the 80’s. Punk rock started more than a genre; it begat a movement and sub culture that persists today as life-style. Continue reading