History of Rock Music

Rock and Roll is a genre of music, that first appeared in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s. The term, “Rock and Roll" was first used in 1951, by Alan Freed, an Ohio disc jockey.http://www.history-of-rock.com/indx.html Artists such as Elvis Presley, Bill Haley and Chuck Berry enjoyed great success with careers in rock. For more than five decades, rock music defined and shaped American culture, with influences combining elements of blues, jazz, folk, country and gospel music. Rock music has evolved over the years into many different styles, with: doo wop, pop, soft rock, psychedelic, rockabilly, glam rock, heavy metal, christian rock, and punk rock, all developing from rock music.

The largest rock acts of the 1950s included: Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Little Richard, Bill Haley and the Comets, Chuck Berry, and Jerry Lee Lewis among others. Each had their own distinct style that attracted the audience to their music.

Number One Hits of the 50s

1950-The Fat Man - Fats Domino

1951-Sixty Minute Man - Dominoes

1952-Lawdy Miss Clawdy - Lloyd Price

1953-Money Honey - Drifters featuring Clyde McPhatter

1954-Rock Around The Clock - Bill Haley & His Comets

1955-Tutti-Frutti - Little Richard

1956-Hound Dog - Elvis Presley

1957-Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley

1958-Johnny B. Goode - Chuck Berry

1959-What'd I Say - Ray Charleshttp://digitaldreamdoor.nutsie.com/pages/best_songs50-69.html

During the 1960s, more distinct styles of rock began to devlop, such as surf rock and metal. There were hit records from The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, The Supremes, The Beach Boys, Led Zeppelin, and The Mamas and The Papas.

Number One Hits of the 60s

1960-Will You Love Me Tomorrow - Shirelles

1961-Stand By Me - Ben E. King

1962-Green Onions - Booker T. & the MG's

1963-Louie Louie - Kingsmen

1964-You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling - Righteous Brothers

1965-(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction - Rolling Stones

1966-Good Vibrations - Beach Boys

1967-Respect - Aretha Franklin

1968-I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye

1969-Whole Lotta Love - Led Zeppelinhttp://digitaldreamdoor.nutsie.com/pages/best_songs50-69.html

The biggest styles of the 1970s were hard rock and disco. Many notable bands and artists from the 60s continued making music through the 70s. Notable artists from the 70s include: Boston, Elton John, Black Sabbath, Bruce Springsteen, Rod Stewart, Marvin Gaye, Pink Floyd, Janis Joplin, Stevie Wonder, The Eagles, and many others.

Number One Hits of the 70s

1970-Layla - Derek and the Dominos

1971-Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin

1972-Superstition - Stevie Wonder

1973-Free Bird - Lynyrd Skynyrd

1974-No Woman, No Cry - Bob Marley and the Wailers

1975-Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen

1976-Hotel California - The Eagles

1977-Stayin' Alive - The Bee Gees

1978-I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor

1979-Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2 - Pink Floydhttp://digitaldreamdoor.nutsie.com/pages/best_songs70-79.html

The 1980s saw a distinct style of rock, with artists sporting big hairstyles and flamboyant clothing. Some of the prominent 80s rock bands included: Duran Duran, Poison, Styx, Guns n Roses, Def Leppard, Europe, Dire Straits, U2, Journey, Bon Jovi, Metallica, The Police, Survivor, Michael Jackson, and Van Halen.

Number One Hits of the 80s

1980-Call Me - Blondie

1981-I Love Rock N Roll - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts

1982-Billie Jean - Michael Jackson

1983-Every Breath You Take - Police

1984-When Doves Cry - Prince

1985-Money For Nothing - Dire Straits

1986-Walk This Way - Run-D.M.C.

1987-Sweet Child O' Mine - Guns N' Roses

1988-Fast Car - Tracy Chapman

1989-Fight the Power - Public Enemyhttp://digitaldreamdoor.nutsie.com/pages/best_songs80-89.html

In the 90s, rap music and alternative rock gained in popularity. Some of the top bands and musicians of the 90s include: Counting Crows, Rage Against the Machine, Nine Inch Nails, Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Beck, Faith No More, Green Day, SoundGarden, Red Hot Chili Peppers, TLC, and 2Pac.

Number One Hits of the 90s

1990-Nothing Compares 2 U - Sinead O'Connor

1991-Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana

1992-Nuthin' But a "G" Thang - Dr. Dre

1993-Loser - Beck

1994-Waterfalls - TLC

1995-Gangsta's Paradise - Coolio

1996-California Love - 2Pac

1997-Mo Money Mo Problems - Notorious B.I.G.

1998-Doo Wop (That Thing) - Lauryn Hill

1999-Smooth - Santana and Rob Thomashttp://digitaldreamdoor.nutsie.com/pages/best_songs90-99.html