Comprehensive 1960s-1980s Music History: Genres, Artists, and Cultural Movements

Motown's founder

Berry Gordy

The Funk Brothers

Motown's studio band

James Brown's "on the one" emphasis

Accent on the first downbeat of the bar

Brian Wilson's "Good Vibrations"

Noted for modular studio assembly and unusual instruments

Altamont

Festival associated with a violent turn and a negative perception of the 1960s ideal

FM radio in the late 1960s/70s

Primarily allowed album-oriented programming and longer tracks

CBGB

Club most closely associated with early New York punk

Dub music

Originated in Jamaica

The PMRC

Primarily advocated for labeling/ratings for explicit lyrics

Key musical feature of reggae

Offbeat ***** guitar and prominent bassline

The Who

Initially embraced by the Mods British teen subculture

Jimi Hendrix

First gained major recognition in the UK in the late 1960s

Black Sabbath

Usually cited as one of the earliest proto-heavy metal groups

Disco music

Characterized by a four-on-the-floor beat and dance emphasis

Punk's early DIY magazine

Often associated with the movement was called Punk

Brian Wilson

Suffered from mental health problems that affected his career

Hardcore punk

Best distinguished from earlier punk by faster tempos, shorter songs, and more aggressive stage behavior

The "Philadelphia Sound"

Associated with lush string arrangements and soul vocal groups

Synthesizer

Saw major growth in mainstream pop/rock in the 1980s

The Grateful Dead

Known for extended improvisations and a devoted touring fan base

Motown's studio district

Was in Detroit

Pete Townshend of The Who

Noted for guitar smashing and windmill strumming

"White Rabbit" by Jefferson Airplane

Notable for a bolero-like crescendo and psychedelic imagery

Musical technique most associated with Dub

Studio remixing emphasizing bass and echo

Hippie aesthetic

Best described as communal living, anti-materialism, and spiritual exploration

Sly & the Family Stone

Example of 1970s funk

"Papa's Got a Brand New Bag"

Best classified as funk/soul (James Brown)

The Beach Boys' vocal sound

Most associated with complex close harmonies and surf imagery

Monterey Pop Festival (1967)

Notable for breakout performances for many artists and Hendrix burning his guitar

College radio / alternative stations

Gave R.E.M. early support

Punk's reaction to disco and mainstream rock

Punk rejected perceived commercial excess and embraced DIY rawness

"four-on-the-floor"

Most closely associated with disco's steady bass drum on every beat

Singer-songwriter central to 1970s soft rock

Carole King

The Ramones' "Blitzkrieg Bop"

An example of early punk: simple fast chords and shouty chorus

Characteristic NOT associated with heavy metal

Emphasis on groove bass and simple repetitive choreographies typical of disco

Producer/label pair key to the Philadelphia Sound

Gamble & Huff / Philadelphia International

Importance of college radio in the 1980s

Provided airtime for alternative/indie bands outside commercial formats

The Village People's "Y.M.C.A."

Best categorized as disco/pop with gay cultural associations

Neo-classical metal guitarist

Randy Rhoads / Yngwie Malmsteen

"*****" in reggae

Refers to offbeat guitar or keyboard chord on the upbeats

Band famously smashing instruments on stage

The Who

"album-oriented rock (AOR)"

Most associated with FM radio playing album tracks and longer songs

1980s trend allowing new electronic timbres

Widespread use of synthesizers and samplers

"Get Up, Stand Up" by Bob Marley

Primarily a reggae song with political protest lyrics

Typical punk dress/fashion in UK

Best described as torn clothing, safety pins, and DIY aesthetic

Anti-disco event

Disco Demolition Night (1979)

Band connected to early Southern rock influences

Allman Brothers Band

Common feature in progressive rock (Pink Floyd example)

Concept albums, long instrumental passages, atmospheric keyboards

Relationship of classical/Baroque music to heavy metal

Metal borrows virtuosity, scales, and structural ideas (neo-classical influences)

Slam dancing (moshing)

Most associated with hardcore punk shows and aggressive crowd behavior