Rock music is a genre of pop music that was initially established as "Rock and Roll" in the early 1950s in the United States. It then evolved into various styles and became widely popular in the 1960s in both the United States and the United Kingdom. In this section of Saadnews, we introduce rock music.
Every piece of music is categorized into a style based on characteristics such as the time period, method of performance, types of instruments used, geographic features, etc. The rock music genre has its own unique fans. The rock music genre originated from rock and roll and began in the 1950s in the United States. The American continent is where the rock style (Rock) is more widely spread. This music style took shape in the 1950s under the name "rock and roll" and expanded in the following decade in Europe and America. The term "rock" is short for rock and roll, derived from the verb "to rock" in English, meaning to shake or move.
What is Rock Music?
Early rock music precisely emerged from rhythm and blues (R&B), which was a type of dance music for African Americans combined with blues, as well as jazz and African American gospel songs. Rock music is essentially derived from folk and western American music, with a popular tone and based on guitar instruments, rooted in the culture of white American farmers. Over the course of a decade, rock music transformed from a simple, dance-oriented style to a diverse form of music in terms of color, lyrics, and electronic sound techniques.
In the late 1940s, rhythm and blues became widespread among African Americans. By the 1950s, rhythm and blues, distinguished by its strong beats and use of saxophones and electric guitars, had evolved from blues music. Groups influenced by gospel music, like The Drifters, and the rising falsetto voices in groups like The Platters, played a crucial role in shaping rhythm and blues.
One of the earliest and most influential rock and roll bands, Bill Haley and His Comets, became famous with their song Rock Around the Clock. It's worth mentioning that the movie Blackboard Jungle played a significant role in popularizing this piece. For many people of that time, this new style was rebellious, due to its loud volume, pounding beat, and sexually charged lyrics. The rebellious spirit of youth was particularly embodied by Elvis Presley, the king of rock and roll.
In the 1960s, African American music became more associated with soul, a term that emphasized the emotional intensity and religious origins of the genre, particularly reflecting the African American experience. Artists like James Brown, Ray Charles, and Aretha Franklin were major figures in the soul genre. Another type of soul music, which combined rhythm and blues with popular music, was called Motown, named after a record label based in Detroit. Motown was known for blending gospel rhythms, modern harmonies, soft melodies, and exceptional vocal lyrics. Artists like Diana Ross & The Supremes and Stevie Wonder, whose very first hit came in 1963 when he was only 13, were stars of Motown.
In 1964, The Beatles' trip to the United States opened a new chapter in rock music history. Bands like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones had a significant impact on popular music in the U.S. Rock musicians of the mid-1960s, influenced by them, expanded their musical explorations to a broader range of sources, experimenting with electronic effects, classical and non-Western instruments, scales, chord progressions, and unconventional rhythms.
During the 1960s, rock music also absorbed elements from folk music, and its lyrics often addressed contemporary issues like war and racial inequality. This transformation was largely driven by the success of Bob Dylan, a songwriter and vocalist.
By the late 1960s, popular music became more diverse, with various terms emerging that reflected the diversity of rock styles during these years: folk rock, jazz rock, classic rock, psychedelic rock, acid rock.
By 1970 and 1971, rock music suffered some blows. The Beatles officially announced their disbandment, and three pioneers of rock music—Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Jim Morrison—tragically passed away. Despite these losses, rock music remained popular during the 1970s. This decade saw the continuation of many styles from the 1960s, the revival of old rock and roll, and the emergence of a new genre of dance music called disco. Veteran performers like Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder, and The Rolling Stones continued their work, while new stars, including Linda Ronstadt, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, and Donna Summer, emerged.
In the early 1970s, a new fusion of folk music and rock, known as folk rock, gained popularity, and folk music also became part of the mainstream. Some rock bands, like Emerson, Lake, and Palmer, played classical rock, adapting classical pieces like Modest Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition to rock styles.
By the 1970s and 1980s, jazz rock, performed by bands like Chicago, The Crusaders, and Weather Report, gained even more popularity among listeners.
In the early 1980s, British bands related to the New Wave, like The Police, Culture Club, and Eurythmics, became popular among American audiences. This second wave of British dominance was comparable to the first wave led by The Beatles in 1969. While British bands had different styles, they all used electronic techniques, synthesizers, and computers, and their performers often had unconventional and quirky appearances.
The 1980s also witnessed a resurgence in youth interest in heavy metal, a form of early rock music characterized by pounding drums, very strong bass, and electric guitars played with maximum power. The lyrics of heavy metal often focused on rebellion, sexuality, and violence, attracting a youthful audience. Popular heavy metal bands included Metallica, Quiet Riot, Iron Maiden, and Guns N’ Roses.
Instruments Used in Rock Genre
The main instruments used in this genre are the electric guitar, bass guitar, and drums. In general, one way to identify this style is through the presence of electric guitar sounds.
Rock Music Styles:
Rock and Roll
Pop Rock
Soft Rock
Grunge
Alternative Rock
Hard Rock
Punk Rock
Britpop
Metal
And more
Differences Between Pop and Rock Music:
The difference between various music styles, including pop and rock, can be attributed to several factors. However, it's important to note that these music genres are similar in many ways, and without knowledge of music styles, one might confuse them. Despite their similarities, the differences between pop and rock music include:
Differences in Lyrics and Music: Rock music lyrics are rough and rebellious, often touching on political and social themes. In contrast, pop music lyrics are softer and more accessible, typically similar to classical music in structure.
Differences in Musical Instruments: While pop music uses softer instruments, rock music is known for its use of loud, abrasive instruments like electric guitars and basses, which give it its distinct sound.
Differences in Melody: The melody of rock music is often rough and powerful, supported by electric guitars, bass, and drums, while pop melodies are generally lighter and more mainstream.
Differences in Themes: While rock music focuses on rebellion and intensity, pop music is more focused on cheerfulness and relatability, providing comfort and joy for the audience.
Iranian Rock Music
In Iran, rock music was introduced by artists such as Fereydoun Foroughi, Kourosh Yeganeh, and Farhad Mehrad in the late 1960s. Iranian rock music has been influenced by Western rock, especially English, American, and European rock. Similar to Western rock, Iranian rock music uses instruments like electric guitars, bass guitars, and drums.
The 1970s and 1980s are considered the golden era of rock music in Iran, with many young people embracing the genre. Artists such as Kaveh Yeganeh, Kaveh Afagh, and Sirvan Khosravi gained popularity during this time. The 1990s introduced modern rock music, as many artists both inside and outside the country innovated within the genre to create a fresh vibe. Various sub-genres of rock were incorporated, leading to new and exciting developments within the Iranian rock scene.
Summary
Rock music is a popular genre that originated in the 1950s and 1960s in the U.S. under the name rock and roll. It is unmatched in terms of social impact and its broad audience. The term "rock" is a shortened form of "rock and roll" and is derived from the verb "to rock," meaning to shake or move. While rock and roll refers specifically to music from the 1950s and 1960s, rock encompasses the broader genre, including rock and roll, and has its roots in blues music.
