Electric guitars and other amplified instruments emerged in the 1950s and influenced the development of rock music from blues, boogie, jazz, gospel, R&B, and country. Rock and roll came to dominate the popular music charts in the 1960s as artists like Elvis Presley and The Beatles achieved success. The 1970s saw the breakup of The Beatles but also the rise of new rock styles like singer-songwriters, soft rock, and glitter rock as well as successful solo careers from former Beatles members.
3. ROCK AGES
• 1950’S: electric guitars, and electric bass guitars emerge. Blues,
boogie, jazz, gospel, R&B vocal groups, and country begins
influencing the music created by both black and white
musicians. The new music style is eventually given a name -
Rock and Roll.
• 1960’S: rock music comes of age and totally owns the popular
music charts. Elvis Presley continues to score hits in the early
part of the decade, harder rock sound emerges and sows the
seeds for heavy metal. The Beatles*
• 1970’S: The Beatles break up in 1970, but all four members
continue to impact the decade with successful solo careers.
wide variety of new rock styles, early seventies are dominated
by singer songwriters and soft rock. Glitter Rock shines briefly
in the first half of the seventies.
