History of Rock Music Final

Classic Rock, Progressive Rock & Arena Rock (1970s)

• rock: album focused genre during 1970s

• prioritized artistic statements

• conceptual storytelling

• listening Clues: analog warmth, extended solos, poetic or mythic lyrics, blues roots, theatrical compositions, layered keyboards

Blue Rock and Mainstream Rock - Classic Rock 1970s

Led Zeppelin

• pioneered hard rock

• classic rock: powerful riffs, mythological lyrics, and groundbreaking albums like Led Zeppelin IV

Allman Brother and Lynyrd Skynyrd dominated Southern Rock

Mainstream Rock emphasized blue-based riffs, poetic lyrics, and cultural storytelling

Rumours - FleetwoodMac: 31 weeks at #1

Aeoro Smith, The Eagles, Wings

Progressive Rock (1970s)

• long, complex song structures

• philosophical themes

• synth-heavy instrumentation

• classical music influenced

• Pink Floyd (Dark Side of the Moon), Yes, Genesis, King Crimson, Emerson, Lake & Palmer

Arena Rock (1970s)

• designed for largy stadiums

• anthemic choruses, power ballads, and big production

• Journey, Boston, Foreigner, REO Speedwagon, Styx

Glam Rock & Hair Metal (Mid-1970s-1980s)

Glam Rock: theatrical, androgynous, and fashion-foward

• artists emphasized personal and stagecraft as much as sound

• David Bowie as Ziggy Stardust, Kiss

** don’t need to know how it sounds like

Hair Metal: flashy, radio-friendly rock that emphasized big hooks, guitar solos, and visual spectacle. Lyrics often focused on rebellion, love, and excess

• Motley Crue, Poison, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard

Listening Clues: High-pitched vocals, shredding solos, party themes, polished production

Punk Rock (mid-late 1970s)

punk was a response to overproduced rock, focusing on raw sound, minimalism, and rebellion

• simple music - 3 chords and attitude

the ramones, patti smith (US)

sex pistols, the clash, buzzcocks (UK)

listening cues: fast, distorted chords, shouted vocals, short songs, DIY attitude

CBGB

New York punk scene

New Wave (Late 1970s-mid1980s)

New Wave preserved punk’s edge but added synths, irony, and visual flair. Labels marketed it as a safer alternative to punk.

• talking heads, the cars, blondie, elvis costello, devo

Listening Clues: bouncy rhythms, synthesizers, quirky vocals, stylized production

MTV Rock (early-mid 1980s)

music became visual. Artists who combined compelling videos with genre-blending styles rose to prominence

Prince: blended funk, rock, R&B, and pop. Purple Rin (!984) was a landmark album and film. Known for musical virutosity, flamboyant fashion, and artistic control

Eurythmics: synth-pop duo with soulful vocals. Known for “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” and bold visual aesthetics

Tears for Fears: Synth-driven pop-rock with intspective lyrics. Known for hits like “Shout” and “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”

Listening Clues: synth textures, stylized vocals, strong visual identities, emotional or conceptual depth

College Rock (early-mid 1980s)

thes alternative scene flourished on college campuses, emphaiszing authenticity, lyrical depth, and non-mainstream aesthetics. It laid the groundwork for 1990s alternative rock

• REM: jangry guitars, cryptic lyrics

• The smiths: british melancholy and poetic songwriting

• the pixies: loud/quiet dynamics, surrealist imagery

listening clues: lo-fi sound, emotionally intelligent lyrics, independent spirit

college radio station

Heavy metal & thrash metal (1970s-1990s)

metal origins: built on heavy riffs, dark themes, and a sense of theatricality

• black sabbath, deep purple, alice cooper

thrash metal: faster, more aggressive form with political or dystopian themes

• metallica (master of puppets), slayer, anthrax, megadeth

listening clues: double bass drumming, aggressive riffs, shouted vocals

ACDC

heavy metal