rock music: Origins of Rock

Essentially hybrid in origin, rock music includes elements of several black and white American music styles: black guitar-accompanied blues; black rhythm and blues, noted for saxophone solos; black and white gospel music; white country and western music; and the songs of white popular crooners and harmony groups. Emerging in 1954–55, rock music was initially referred to as “rock 'n' roll.” After 1964 it was simply called “rock music.” The change in terminology indicates both a continuity with and a break from the earlier period; rock music was no longer just for dancing. After 1964 the music was influenced by British groups such as the Beatles.

Sections in this article:

• Introduction
• The Late 1970s to the Present—Punk Rock, the Music Video, and Middle-aged Rockers
• Rock Comes of Age
• Protest Songs and the Drug Culture
• Folk Rock
• The Late 1950s and Early 60s—Elvis, Motown, and the British Invasion
• The 1950s—Bill Haley and Rock 'n' Roll
• Origins of Rock
• Bibliography

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2024, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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