A delightful collection of handy music facts.
Rock 'n' roll's history in 60 seconds
In the late 1940s, rock 'n' roll emerged from a mix of blues, country, gospel, and jazz. It gained traction through radio, rebellious icons, and evolving sound. This overview traces the genre’s roots, rise, and lasting influence—from early pioneers to the British Invasion and beyond.
In the late 1940s, rock 'n' roll emerged from a mix of blues, country, gospel, and jazz. It gained traction through radio, rebellious icons, and evolving sound. This overview traces the genre’s roots, rise, and lasting influence—from early pioneers to the British Invasion and beyond.
Rock 'n' roll began as a hybrid of several American musical styles
Rock ‘n’ roll combined blues, swing, country, and other American musical forms in the late 1940s. From there, it splintered into countless subgenres and is still evolving.
Rock ‘n’ roll combined blues, swing, country, and other American musical forms in the late 1940s. From there, it splintered into countless subgenres and is still evolving.
Chuck Berry was one of the genre's early innovators
A pioneer of rock ‘n’ roll, Berry redefined music in the 1950s with hits like "Maybellene" and "Johnny B. Goode." Drawing from blues and country, his signature riffs and storytelling influenced generations of artists.
A pioneer of rock ‘n’ roll, Berry redefined music in the 1950s with hits like "Maybellene" and "Johnny B. Goode." Drawing from blues and country, his signature riffs and storytelling influenced generations of artists.
Blues was a major influence on early rock
Early rock ‘n’ roll had a straightforward sound, relying mostly on guitar, bass, drums, piano, and saxophone playing up-tempo 12-bar blues. In subsequent decades, the form evolved and splintered into countless subgenres that used more diverse sounds, instruments, and lyrics.
Early rock ‘n’ roll had a straightforward sound, relying mostly on guitar, bass, drums, piano, and saxophone playing up-tempo 12-bar blues. In subsequent decades, the form evolved and splintered into countless subgenres that used more diverse sounds, instruments, and lyrics.
Sister Rosetta Tharpe is considered the godmother of rock 'n' roll
Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and Fats Domino are cited as the godfathers of rock ‘n’ roll, but the undisputed godmother is Sister Rosetta Tharpe, a gospel singer who crossed over to the secular world and changed the course of American music. Tharpe’s electric guitar playing influenced early rock ‘n’ roll.
Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and Fats Domino are cited as the godfathers of rock ‘n’ roll, but the undisputed godmother is Sister Rosetta Tharpe, a gospel singer who crossed over to the secular world and changed the course of American music. Tharpe’s electric guitar playing influenced early rock ‘n’ roll.
Many consider Jackie Brenston's 'Rocket 88' to be the first rock song
Jackie Brenston’s “Rocket 88,” a song penned in 1951 by a young Ike Turner and performed by his band the Kings of Rhythm, is widely considered the genre’s starting point. While late-40s R&B singles have similar elements, “Rocket 88” included distorted electric guitar, which would define the genre for decades.
Jackie Brenston’s “Rocket 88,” a song penned in 1951 by a young Ike Turner and performed by his band the Kings of Rhythm, is widely considered the genre’s starting point. While late-40s R&B singles have similar elements, “Rocket 88” included distorted electric guitar, which would define the genre for decades.
A DJ coined the term 'rock 'n' roll' to resell R&B to a broad audience
Cleveland DJ Alan Freed launched his radio show “Moondog’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Party,” rebranding R&B records, largely performed by Black artists, as “rock ‘n’ roll” to appeal to a largely white audience. The name was a double-entendre, describing the sound and the sexual activities it was said to induce.
Cleveland DJ Alan Freed launched his radio show “Moondog’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Party,” rebranding R&B records, largely performed by Black artists, as “rock ‘n’ roll” to appeal to a largely white audience. The name was a double-entendre, describing the sound and the sexual activities it was said to induce.
The distinctions between 'R&B' and 'rock 'n' roll' were mostly racial
"Rhythm and blues” was a broad name used for African American music in the 1940s after “race music” fell out of favor. Musically speaking, "rock 'n' roll" sounded very similar, though it was marketed to white teenagers rather than Black audiences.
"Rhythm and blues” was a broad name used for African American music in the 1940s after “race music” fell out of favor. Musically speaking, "rock 'n' roll" sounded very similar, though it was marketed to white teenagers rather than Black audiences.
Take a look at an early rock 'n' roll artifact
This 1956 jukebox musical, "Rock, Rock, Rock!," is an early example of the burgeoning rock 'n' roll culture—with performances from Chuck Berry, Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, D.J. Alan Freed, and several others. It was also a catalyst, sending the new youth culture into theaters around the country.
This 1956 jukebox musical, "Rock, Rock, Rock!," is an early example of the burgeoning rock 'n' roll culture—with performances from Chuck Berry, Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, D.J. Alan Freed, and several others. It was also a catalyst, sending the new youth culture into theaters around the country.
DJ Alan Freed was eventually charged in a 'payola' scandal
After popularizing rock 'n' roll, both as a genre and as a culture, Freed became an industry power player, producing movies, hosting concerts, and minting superstars. By the end of the '50s, a House Investigation Committee charged him with 26 counts of commercial bribery, a scheme they called "payola."
After popularizing rock 'n' roll, both as a genre and as a culture, Freed became an industry power player, producing movies, hosting concerts, and minting superstars. By the end of the '50s, a House Investigation Committee charged him with 26 counts of commercial bribery, a scheme they called "payola."
Sun Records was responsible for some of rock 'n' roll's biggest artists
Memphis' Sun Records was one of the most important labels in American musical history, releasing pivotal records by Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, and countless others
Memphis' Sun Records was one of the most important labels in American musical history, releasing pivotal records by Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, and countless others
Tour the iconic Sun Studio in Memphis
Sun Studio is responsible for hundreds of hours of American music history, despite its rather modest setup. This tour of the one-room studio is not unlike the tour visitors take, with anecdotes about Elvis, U2, and a pious Bob Dylan, who quickly popped in to pay his respects.
Sun Studio is responsible for hundreds of hours of American music history, despite its rather modest setup. This tour of the one-room studio is not unlike the tour visitors take, with anecdotes about Elvis, U2, and a pious Bob Dylan, who quickly popped in to pay his respects.
Elvis Presley's first 'Ed Sullivan Show' appearance was his first public controversy
His 1956 appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" featured a raucous performance of “Hound Dog” and an abundance of suggestive hip-shaking from the fresh-faced 21-year-old. The appearance rocketed Presley to superstar status and threw him into his first public controversy.
His 1956 appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" featured a raucous performance of “Hound Dog” and an abundance of suggestive hip-shaking from the fresh-faced 21-year-old. The appearance rocketed Presley to superstar status and threw him into his first public controversy.
A year before Elvis appeared on 'Ed Sullivan,' Bill Haley brought rock 'n' roll to the program
Although Elvis Presley's 1956 appearance on the popular TV show is viewed as a key moment in the rise of rock 'n' roll, the music appeared on the program a year earlier, on August 5, 1955, when Bill Haley and His Comets performed their hit "Rock Around the Clock."
Although Elvis Presley's 1956 appearance on the popular TV show is viewed as a key moment in the rise of rock 'n' roll, the music appeared on the program a year earlier, on August 5, 1955, when Bill Haley and His Comets performed their hit "Rock Around the Clock."
Motown Records used the assembly line for songwriting
In the 1960s, Motown Records was the world's most reliable rock 'n' roll label and the home of the Supremes. That success was largely due to its songwriting process, a finely tuned assembly line model inspired by Motown owner Berry Gordy's time working at the Ford Motor Company.
In the 1960s, Motown Records was the world's most reliable rock 'n' roll label and the home of the Supremes. That success was largely due to its songwriting process, a finely tuned assembly line model inspired by Motown owner Berry Gordy's time working at the Ford Motor Company.
The Beatles' US label rejected the band's first two singles
Although the quartet was already a sensation in Great Britain, Capitol Records turned down the opportunity to release "Please Please Me" and "From Me to You," licensing them instead to a smaller independent label in Chicago.
Although the quartet was already a sensation in Great Britain, Capitol Records turned down the opportunity to release "Please Please Me" and "From Me to You," licensing them instead to a smaller independent label in Chicago.
The Beatles' US label rejected the band's first two singles
Although the quartet was already a sensation in Great Britain, Capitol Records turned down the opportunity to release "Please Please Me" and "From Me to You," licensing them instead to a smaller independent label in Chicago.
Although the quartet was already a sensation in Great Britain, Capitol Records turned down the opportunity to release "Please Please Me" and "From Me to You," licensing them instead to a smaller independent label in Chicago.
The Rolling Stones got their name from a Muddy Waters song
The band was set to play a live session on the BBC in 1962, though they still didn't have a name. When guitarist Brian Jones spoke to Jazz News magazine about the upcoming appearance, he realized the group still didn't have a name. He saw Muddy Waters' "Rollin' Stone" record on the ground and decided in that moment that it would be the name of the band.
The band was set to play a live session on the BBC in 1962, though they still didn't have a name. When guitarist Brian Jones spoke to Jazz News magazine about the upcoming appearance, he realized the group still didn't have a name. He saw Muddy Waters' "Rollin' Stone" record on the ground and decided in that moment that it would be the name of the band.
James Brown was considered one of rock's greatest performers
"The T.A.M.I. Show" is a 1964 film featuring live performances from the biggest names in rock 'n' roll: Chuck Berry, the Beach Boys, and the Supremes. The most memorable performance from James Brown and his band the Famous Flames, is regarded as one of the greatest performances in pop music.
"The T.A.M.I. Show" is a 1964 film featuring live performances from the biggest names in rock 'n' roll: Chuck Berry, the Beach Boys, and the Supremes. The most memorable performance from James Brown and his band the Famous Flames, is regarded as one of the greatest performances in pop music.
Rock expanded to Africa, where it was used as a political artform
The Nigerian rock scene began after Bill Haley’s "Rock Around the Clock" film premiered in the country, inspiring young people to take up electric guitars. The music was also an integral part of the country’s civil war, with conscripted bands entertaining soldiers on both sides of the conflict.
The Nigerian rock scene began after Bill Haley’s "Rock Around the Clock" film premiered in the country, inspiring young people to take up electric guitars. The music was also an integral part of the country’s civil war, with conscripted bands entertaining soldiers on both sides of the conflict.
Brazil's tropicália movement fused rock 'n' roll, Latin music, and poetryTropicália was a short-lived Brazilian style of rock ‘n’ roll that blended samba, bossa nova, modernist poetry, and American rhythm and blues that offered provocative, anti-authoritarian, and avant-garde ideas through popular music, much to the delight of the country’s evolving youth culture.
The Parents Music Resource Center criticized rock 'n' roll's lyrics in the 1980s
The group, spearheaded by Tipper Gore, the wife of then-Senator and eventual Vice President Al Gore, argued that rock music, especially heavy metal, was having an adverse effect on the country, particularly young children. One of the group's fiercest critics was musician Frank Zappa. In the video below, he appears on a 1986 episode of "Crossfire," arguing about the proposed ban of so-called obscene music.
The group, spearheaded by Tipper Gore, the wife of then-Senator and eventual Vice President Al Gore, argued that rock music, especially heavy metal, was having an adverse effect on the country, particularly young children. One of the group's fiercest critics was musician Frank Zappa. In the video below, he appears on a 1986 episode of "Crossfire," arguing about the proposed ban of so-called obscene music.
'Rock 'n' roll' eventually became 'classic rock'
As the 1980s arrived, rock radio began pivoting to the term “classic rock,” allowing them to focus on the Baby Boomer demographic and ignore the still-evolving genre. Since then, “classic rock” remains, though it’s constantly being redefined, due in no small part to its slippery name.
As the 1980s arrived, rock radio began pivoting to the term “classic rock,” allowing them to focus on the Baby Boomer demographic and ignore the still-evolving genre. Since then, “classic rock” remains, though it’s constantly being redefined, due in no small part to its slippery name.
In 2016, Bob Dylan won the Nobel Prize for his lyrics
Rock legend Bob Dylan’s 2016 Nobel Prize was a surprise in the literary world. A rock lyricist had never been awarded the distinction. Dylan explains his affection for literary giants like Herman Melville and Homer, connecting his writing, and the rock ‘n’ roll of his youth, to the literary tradition.
Rock legend Bob Dylan’s 2016 Nobel Prize was a surprise in the literary world. A rock lyricist had never been awarded the distinction. Dylan explains his affection for literary giants like Herman Melville and Homer, connecting his writing, and the rock ‘n’ roll of his youth, to the literary tradition.
Nina Simone's childhood home was preserved in 2017
Four visual artists purchased the home in Troy, North Carolina, in 2017 to preserve it as an arts space. The house is where Simone, a jazz legend and a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, learned to play piano.
Four visual artists purchased the home in Troy, North Carolina, in 2017 to preserve it as an arts space. The house is where Simone, a jazz legend and a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, learned to play piano.
Browse over 300 issues of influential music magazine The New Musical Express
The British publication was responsible for some of the best coverage of spunky punk and rock. This treasure trove collects issues from 1969 - 1983, offering you a fascinating window into how legendary acts like the Clash and Talking Heads were being discussed before they were considered legends.
The British publication was responsible for some of the best coverage of spunky punk and rock. This treasure trove collects issues from 1969 - 1983, offering you a fascinating window into how legendary acts like the Clash and Talking Heads were being discussed before they were considered legends.
Stream live radio from anywhere on Earth
Spin a 3D globe and tune into thousands of live radio stations by clicking any dot on the map. The project is seamless and acts as a reminder that somewhere, right now, someone is broadcasting music, news, or a call-in show in a language you've never heard.
Spin a 3D globe and tune into thousands of live radio stations by clicking any dot on the map. The project is seamless and acts as a reminder that somewhere, right now, someone is broadcasting music, news, or a call-in show in a language you've never heard.
The surgeon who tried to save John Lennon says he can’t forget that night
Frank Veteran was a resident in 1980 on the night John Lennon was shot in New York. For years afterward, he tried to process the sight of seeing the Beatle dying in the hospital, including through art, but he says that the memories from the experience are still vivid.
Frank Veteran was a resident in 1980 on the night John Lennon was shot in New York. For years afterward, he tried to process the sight of seeing the Beatle dying in the hospital, including through art, but he says that the memories from the experience are still vivid.
The best album covers of all time
Rock 'n' roll has defined the style of several generations, and much of that is the result of iconic album covers. This Billboard list breaks down the best of the best, ranking generation-defining images from Pink Floyd, Cyndi Lauper, Nirvana, and more.
Rock 'n' roll has defined the style of several generations, and much of that is the result of iconic album covers. This Billboard list breaks down the best of the best, ranking generation-defining images from Pink Floyd, Cyndi Lauper, Nirvana, and more.
How underground radio revitalized rock 'n' roll
Early FM was a wasteland and quickly became the domain of amateurs and risk-takers, including many stations and DJs who played music that flew in the face of mainstream trends. This history of the band's scrappy beginnings unpacks how it realigned the rock charts.
Early FM was a wasteland and quickly became the domain of amateurs and risk-takers, including many stations and DJs who played music that flew in the face of mainstream trends. This history of the band's scrappy beginnings unpacks how it realigned the rock charts.
