2. • Pop music was originally called ‘popular music’
• It originated from 1950’s, deriving from the rock genre
• Since the 1950’s pop music has changed because during this time it was
focussed on more rock music than what we now see as ‘pop’ music, it
previously had the meaning of non-classical music
• Pop Music is a genre which includes a mixture of many different styles of
music which often vary from country to jazz and rap to rock and roll.
• Well known names in pop history:
The Beatles
The Rolling Stones
Michael Jackson
Oasis
David Bowie
3. Features
• In the late 18th and early 19th century the focus was on
sheet music.
• The music in the pop genre is generally described at
being commercial friendly, memorable and marketable
either by the vocals, instruments or lyrics.
• The goal nowadays is to created a music video that
portrays the meaning of the song as well as the lyrics.
4. The 50’s
• 1956: Elvis Presley is one of the world’s first rock stars.
He was referred to as ‘the king of rock and roll’ in
history he is one of the best selling solo artists.
• 1957: John Lennon meets Paul McCartney in march,
John Lennon formed a group called The Quarrymen, in
July they meet and McCartney agreed to join a group a
few days later. The first ‘official’ Quarrymen
performance failed to impress the crowd.
• Late 1950’s: the rock group the Beatles was formed.
The group members were John Lennon, Paul
McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Star. Most of
their music was written by Lennon and McCartney, the
band dominated the 1960’s-70’s
5. The 60’s
• 1960: Pete Best joins the Beatles as their
drummer, they then leave to tour.
• 1961: Patsy Cline, American country singer
becomes a mainstream pop music artist.
She was the first female vocalist to adapt
the change of pop music who then became
a successful pop singer
6. The 70’s
• 1972: Michael Jackson’s first solo hit ‘Ben’, it became a
number one hit song for the Mowtown label in 1972. it
spent one week at the top of the U.S. pop chart.
• 1974: Michael Jackson introduces the ‘robot’ dance on
stage during a performance on ‘soul train’.
• 1975-83: Disco and hip-hop became very popular. The
movie Saturday Night Fever was released which helped
disco music to gain more popularity. Hip-Hop started to
emerge as a blend of rock and roll, jazz and soul. At this
time MTV started to release a continuous flow of music
videos. This was also the time where Madonna’s debut
album ‘Holiday’ becomes a hit.
7. The 80’s
• 1983: The Red Hot Chilli Peppers
were formed.
• 1983: Michael Jackson
popularises the moonwalk.
• 1985: Michael Jackson releases
‘Thriller’, the video for this song is
still one of the most notable
videos to date.
8. The 90’s
• 1990’s: Grunge Rock was formed in
Seattle. Backstreet Boys were formed.
The movie Titanic alongside the song
‘My Heart Will Go On’ became very
popular.
• 1992: Radiohead released their first
single Creep.
• 1998: Coldplay had come together as
a band.
9. The 2000’s
• 2001: Kane releases their second single ‘Wolf
at the Door’.
• 2002: Kelly Clarkson became the first
American Idol.
• 2003: Marshall Mathers (Eminem) gained
popularity. He was also a radio and video
superstar. In 2003 he also won an Oscar for
his song ‘Loose Yourself’ from the film 8
Mile. He was the first rapper to win an Oscar.
• 2009: Michael Jackson dies on 25th June.
10. Instruments Used
• Generally the instruments used for pop music are; guitars, bass, pianos, drums,
amplifiers and cymbals.
• Guitars are very common in pop music. Types of guitars used; bass, acoustic and electric
• Drums in pop music do not always need to be played by a drummer, this is because of all
of the technological advances. Drums can now be produced through the use of different
softwares, however this adds a robotic feel and makes it sound less natural than it would
if someone was actually the drums.
• In pop music vocals is one of the most important instruments because the lyrics are what
builds the song. It is common that the music for the song is structured around the lyrics.
• Wind instruments can also be used which help to give the music a more realistic with
instruments such as saxophones and trumpets.
• Orchestral instruments such as violins and cello can sometimes be used within the pop
music genre to intensify the sound of the music or to add feeling.
