Rock ‘n’ roll, also known simply as rock, became popular in the 50s, but the rock music spirit was alive as early as the 1930s. Having influenced everything from lifestyle and fashion to culture and ideology, there’s so much to the rock music world.
So, why not take a retrospective view of this genre, from popular artists to hit singles and albums from the 1950s to date. Let’s get to it with a look at the history of rock music and the iconic Epiphone ES 339 guitar.
1950s Rock ‘n’ roll
The ‘50s was a groundbreaking demarcation of rock ‘n’ roll, with Elvis Presley at the centre. Elvis got every household delving into his fantastic music during the ‘50s, and for good reason. He made 32 #1 singles and 18 top albums. It’s no wonder he’s known as the king of rock’n’roll.
In the ‘50s, rock ‘n’ roll fashion was a sharp, neat suit with a shiny touch that represented the Western culture of the day. And it made perfect sense, as rock was often inspired by gospel and jazz music.
Rock ‘n’ roll World of the 1960s
The ‘60s was a tough time for all Americans, marked by the murder of President J.F. Kennedy, the Cold War and the Vietnam War.
During this period, we see Motown Record Corporation rising, which incorporated African-American artists. They did an excellent job, creating “Shop Around,” which was a hit in the ‘60s, selling over a million records within a short time.
Brits like the Beatles, Rolling Stones, and the Kinks were also among the top in the rock music world of the 1960s. These bands are legendary, composed of artists who are among the greatest in history.
Then there was the all-girls group releasing the album “The Supremes A Go-Go,” which reached #1 on the charts.
Also, in the ’60s, the famous Bob Dylan released his 1st music video for Subterranean Homesick Blues. He is one of the first of his time to produce a music video.
Since the 60s we see fashion becoming more glam.
Rock ‘n’ roll in the 1970s
There’s a calm in the air as the Cold War ends, and there’s relaxation and simplicity that reflects in the general fashion of this era. However, the United Kingdom continues with colourful, glamorous looks accompanied by long hair, often inspired by psychedelic hallucinations.
These developments made the ’60s and ’70s outstanding as a rock era. Two key outstanding bands of the ’70s are Aerosmith, formed in 1970, and KISS, formed in 1973.
Rock ‘n’ roll fans know KISS for their outstanding face paintings, eccentric wardrobes, fire breathing, and blood spitting, which took the rock genre to a whole different and new era. Their aggressiveness, song lyrics, and performances took a deep liking amongst the younger generation of the time.
80s Rock ‘n’ roll Era
Musical influence intensified more in the ‘80s which came with a new fashion influence. I’m talking scarves, studded clothes, and leather jackets.
In this era, rock and roll evolved towards metal, glam, and heavy rock. The emerging popular artists in these subgenres were Bon Jovi and Guns n’ Roses.
Several remarkable events also took place in the 80s that revolutionised the rock music world:
- The murder of the legend John Lennon which was heavily felt
- The start of Music Television (MTV), which made its 1981 debut showing music videos that were prevalent during the time.
- ‘Call me,’ the biggest hit by Blondie, held #1 for 6 continuous weeks.
- The emergence of Hip Hop with popular bands like Run-D.M.C. I’m talking gold record status and Grammy nominations.
The Rock of the 1990s
The ‘90s is marked by the emergence of female pop stars and icons like The Spice Girls who set the scene for the invasion of pop acts by teens during the 2000s. Such acts were Britney Spears, NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, and Christina Aguilera.
By the 1990s, several genres were on the scene. But that didn’t keep the “grunge music” subgenre from emerging, with bands like Nirvana being at the centre.
In the UK, Oasis was the famous band of the ‘90s. They had a huge influence on fashion, which became simpler but elegant. They wore baggy looks, sportswear, and suits.
Then Came the 2000s
Rock, gospel, pop, and blues hugely influenced the music world of this era. Mando Diao and Libertines were the image of a rock ‘n’ roll band. They wore jackets, black shirts, and suits while the Libertines’ fashion represented the UK subculture of fashion and punk.
Key changes popped in with pop sensations like Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, and NSYNC competing with rappers like Nelly and Eminem on the charts.
Of course, Eminem’s popularity grew tremendously throughout the 2000s. Meanwhile, Britney Spears’ records, such as “Baby One More Time” and “Oops!…I Did It Again”, became top international hits.
Napster, which was the “Spotify” of the time, came up. Due to copyright infringement, they were sued by many record companies.
2010-2023
Rock ‘n’ roll has reached a modernised stage, both in music and fashion. It paved the way for multiple genres of music. Several bands and musicians still hold on to the influence of rock ‘n’ roll like Miles Kane. To date, pop, freestyle rap, and hip-hop sensations rule the music world.
With the music world constantly evolving, we can’t wait to see what trends and genres come up next.
