Musical Genres from the 1950s Onwards

Musical Genres from the 1950s Onwards

Musical Genres: 1950s

  • Rock ‘n’ Roll: Originating in the United States in the early 1950s, it incorporates elements of blues, gospel and country music. Notable artists include Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry and Buddy Holly.

  • Pop: Pop music started to become a distinct genre in the 1950s, recognised by its catchy melodies and structured songwriting. Key figures include Frank Sinatra and Doris Day.

  • Jazz: While Jazz has roots earlier in the century, in the 1950s, cool jazz and hard bop became popular. Key artists of this period include Dave Brubeck and Miles Davis.

Musical Genres: 1960s

  • Psychedelic Rock: Known for its extended solos, exotic instrumentation and altered consciousness lyrics. Prominent bands include Pink Floyd and The Jimi Hendrix Experience.

  • Motown and Soul: These genres emerged from African American communities and became popular during this decade. Key artists include Stevie Wonder and The Supremes.

  • Folk: Spurred by the counterculture movement, folk musicians like Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell became popular and influenced social movements of the era.

Musical Genres: 1970s

  • Disco: Characterised by four-on-the-floor beats and dance-oriented tunes. Popular artists include ABBA and Donna Summer.

  • Punk Rock: Known for its raw sound and confrontational attitude, key bands include Sex Pistols and The Clash.

  • Reggae: Originally from Jamaica, reggae music gained international prominence partially due to artists like Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff.

Musical Genres: 1980s to 2000s

  • Hip-Hop: Gained mainstream recognition in the late 80s and 90s, with artists like Public Enemy and later, Tupac and Biggie Smalls.

  • Grunge: A subgenre of alternative rock coming from Seattle, with bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam.

  • Pop-Punk: Mixture of punk’s speed and pop’s catchy hooks. Notable bands include Green Day and Blink-182.

  • Electronic Dance Music (EDM): Characterised by digital instruments and technology, artists and DJs such as Daft Punk and Deadmau5 are pioneers of the genre.

Remember, understanding the characteristics, history, and key artists of each genre is crucial for your music performance sessions.