Rock music through the decades
As one of the world’s most popular genres; rock has evolved over time into countless different styles and subgenres, being heard anywhere from car radios to musty pubs and monstrous stadiums. Across its many forms, the electrifying grooves, upbeat rhythms and heartfelt lyrics of rock music are enough to appeal to anybody, and who doesn’t love a bit of rock music?
In this blog post, we’ll explore the journey and the evolution of rock from its humble roots to how it had a vast influence on music, pop culture and the world as a whole, as well as the artists who pioneered it.
Rock n Roll in the 1950’s
The first rock n roll songs were made in the early 50’s when the crossover between the rhythm and groove of African-American blues with the simple but catchy harmonies of white country music birthed a unique and undeniable style of music that was rapidly popularised by the likes of Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley through their energetic and fast paced performances whose influence had a chokehold on the younger generation in America.
Rock in the 1960’s
The 60s saw the genre spread across the Pacific when The Beatles, The Kinks and The Rolling Stones burst onto the scene and became the first globally popular musicians when they broke into the music scene of the USA in what’s now fondly known as the ‘British Invasion’, and later became some of the most influential bands of all time. Psychedelic rock was also born out of the hippy movement and prevalent drug use of the 60’s that created music defined by distorted guitar tones, slower tempos and the flamboyant, statement-making outfits worn by such stars as Jimmy Hendrix and John Lennon.
Rock in the 1970’s
70’s rock was mostly defined by the explosion of the punk movement, with bands such as The Clash and The Sex Pistols using music to turn the light on societal issues and promoting positive change through their lyrics while drawing attention with their stage antics and DIY style. Bands such as Led Zeppelin, The Eagles, and Pink Floyd also built upon the foundations of rock music in this era through their eclectic sound; creating some of rock’s biggest hits. The 1970’s continued to push rock music to new heights, as well as being the beginning of the classic idea of a rock star; through the larger than life nature of frontmen such as Elton John and Freddy Mercury – their flamboyant outfits, powerful voices and extreme talent in songwriting defined what it meant to be a rockstar and set the bar high for later artists. The 60’s and 70’s are also widely regarded as the most popular decade for rock music, due to the innovation, influence and widespread popularity of the genre over the two decades, as well as the stake that the bands of the time still hold within the music scene.
Rock in the 1980’s
The 1980’s saw the continuation of flashy outfits, theatrical shows, extremely loud guitars, and arena filling anthems from the various bands of the time, spanning a variety of vastly popular sub genres. Hair metal bands such as Mötley Crüe and Guns N’ Roses brought a new level of glamour into rock music and achieved unprecedented fame with hit songs such as ‘Sweet Child o’ Mine’, ‘November Rain’ and ‘Kickstart My Heart’ . Superstars such as Prince further expanded the very makeup of rock music through his R&B and soul influences and timeless ballads like ‘Purple Rain’.
Rock in the 1990’s
The 90’s was a time to strip back from the glamour of rock bands before – artists started wearing more subdued clothes, writing much simpler songs and influencing the very laid back fashion of the decade. American Grunge bands like Nirvana, Soundgarden and Pearl Jam saw immense popularity along with the rise of the grunge scene, and rose to become cultural icons in their own sense. In the UK, Britpop and indie rock was all the rage, bands like Oasis, Blur and The Stone Roses created pub anthems with their jangly guitar riffs, catchy tunes and relatable lyrics – songs such as ‘Wonderwall’ and ‘Parklife’ speak for themselves as to the popularity of Britpop in the UK and are guaranteed to get the whole room singing.
Today, rock music is still as popular as ever – the genre has produced countless classic hits that everyone knows and the impact of rock has never ceased. It has evolved and split into many different styles and subgenres that can appeal to anyone. Although the dominance of rock in the world of music has waned compared to previous decades, and many of the classic rock bands have stopped making music; the magic of rock music is sure to live on.
If you’re old enough to miss the golden days of rock music, or you’re too young to see your favourite rockstars in their prime then I’ve got some good news for you – Quinn Artistes offer tribute acts for some of the greatest rock bands of all time; so you get to experience the band’s songs live in an incredibly faithful format. Have your favourite songs playing live at your event; and because rock music is perfect for any occasion – from a wedding to a festival or corporate event – it is sure to liven the mood and give your guests an incredible and memorable experience. Our live acts can elevate your event to a new level; you just can’t beat the energy of a live show, and the tribute acts we have to offer span all of the generations of rock music from The Beatles to Queen, Prince, Oasis, The Eagles and many more, so there is sure to be bands that appeal to everyone’s taste.