Popular MusicMusic from the 1940s to

Today

What is Popular Music?

• Popular Music belongs to any number of musical genres “having wide appeal.”

• Popular Music appeals or is music for ALL AGE GROUPS, and it appeals to popular tastes.

• Popular Music can also be called POP MUSIC.

1940s

• During the 1930s and 1940s, Big Band acts such as the Glen Miller Orchestra were very popular.

• Frank Sinatra – an American singer and actor who was most popular in the 1930s and 1940s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaBhlSrFUKk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bR3K5uB-wMA

What is Rock N’ Roll?

• Rock N’ Roll music is popular music which developed in the 1940s and 1950s.

• Early Rock N’ Roll combined Blues, Country, Jazz and Gospel Music.

• The early name for Rock N’ Roll was Rockabilly.

1950s• The birth of Rock N’ Roll.• Bill Haley and the Comets -

‘Rock Around the Clock’• ‘Rock Around the Clock’ helped to

bring Rock N’ Roll music into the mainstream culture.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5fsqYctXgM

Little Richard

• Little Richard (1932-present) – He performed the 1956 hit ‘Tutti Frutti’. People of ALL colors and nationalities bought his recordings. He is known for his high voice, outrageous make-up, flashy clothing, and pounding on the piano.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVWm9PQeYtEModern Dayhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFq5O2kabQo

1950s

Elvis Presley

• Elvis Presley (1935-1977) – known as the king of Rock N’ Roll.

• Elvis had 67 top-twenty hits during his career.

• Some of his most famous songs are: ‘Hound Dog,’ ‘Heartbreak Hotel,’ ‘Jailhouse Rock’.

• He died of heart failure at Graceland in 1977.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tk7TrGqh-ec&feature=related

Jerry Lee Lewis

• Jerry Lee Lewis (1935-present) – Outrageous piano player who composed and performed ‘Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On’ and ‘Great Balls of Fire’.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bB5xL577r4

American Bandstand

• American Bandstand – Popular T.V. show during the 1950s and 1960s which showcased popular musical acts of the day.

• Dick Clark was the host, and it premiered in 1957.

• The T.V. show made several musicians teen idols.

1960s• Soul Music became popular in the

late 1950s and 1960s.• Soul Music combines elements of

Gospel, Rhythm and Blues.• Rock N’ Roll continued in popularity.

The Beatles

• The Beatles – British rock band which formed in 1960 in Liverpool, England.

• One of the most successful bands in history

• The four members were John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr.

• “I Want To Hold Your Hand,” “Twist and Shout,” and “Get Back”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iim6s8Ea_bE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iim6s8Ea_bE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6G7MkBMVxE

The Beach Boys

• The Beach Boys formed in 1961 in Southern California.

• They are known for songs about cars, surfing and romance.

• “ I Get Around” and “Wouldn’t It Be Nice”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mN7Xs9WVNBU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L--cqAI3IUI

Johnny Cash

• Johnny Cash (1932-2003) – American songwriter who performed many different genres of music (rock n’ roll, country, blues, folk and gospel).

• Cash was known as the ‘man in black.’

• “I Walk the lIne” and “Ring of Fire”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRlj5vjp3Ko

James Brown

• James Brown (1933-2006) – American songwriter and entertainer known as the godfather of soul.

• He rose to fame in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

• He was known for his singing and feverish dancing.

• “I Feel Good” and “Papas Got a Brand New Bag”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgDrJ5Z2rKw&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGbpucWLfpEFeverish Dancing

Sly and the Family Stone• Sly and the Family Stone - American

funk band from San Francisco, California.

• They were active from 1966 to 1983.• They were the first American

funk/rock band to have an integrated/multi-gender line-up.

• “Hot Fun in the Summertime,” “Everyday People,” and “Dance to the Music” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXvjhdjYing&feature=related

1970s• 1970s – Rock music remained

popular • Disco music became very popular

in the 1970s but faded in the 1980s.

• Soft Rock/ Adult Contemporary Music was also popular during this time.

Bee Gees

• Bee Gees – Three Brothers (Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb) who were popular musicians during the disco era.

• They were known for their harmonies and Barry’s falsetto voice.

• “Stayin’ Alive”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHWeuQyFouo

Jackson 5• Jackson 5 – Jackie, Tito, Jermaine,

Marion and Michael (Family Group)

• “I Want You Back,” “ABC,” and “I’ll Be There”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_5hQ8cEE7Q

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-16fDpOW948

Lynyrd Skynyrd• Lynyrd Skynyrd – American rock

band which formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1973.

• Their style of rock is known as southern rock.

• “sweet Home Alabama”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHsDa9_HSlA

1980s

• New Wave, Hair Braids, Arena Rock and Boy Bands became popular in the 1980s.

• Men who were rock stars typically had longer hair during the beginning of this decade (Hair Bands).

Alabama

• Alabama - country band which formed in Fort Payne, Alabama in 1969.

• They were the most successful country band of the 1980s.

• The band recorded over 30 number 1 records.

• “Song of the South”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHdXQAQHjd8

The Cars

• The Cars – popular 1980s new wave band

• Their songs incorporated synthesizer along with rock n’ roll instruments.

• “Shake it Up” and “Just What I Needed”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eq-yoorI7lo

Bruce Springsteen

• Bruce Springsteen (1949 to present) - American singer and songwriter who tours with the E Street Band.

• He is known as ‘The Boss.’• “Born in the U.S.A.” and “Born

to Run”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQWHgkEPO6M&feature=related

Tears For Fears

• Tears for Fears – English pop band that formed in the early 1980s.

• “Shout” and “Head Over Heals”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0TYun-Nq1Q

Bon Jovi

• Bon Jovi – Arena rock band which formed in 1981 in New Jersey.

• “Livin’ On a Prayer” and “You Give Love a Bad Name”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDK9QqIzhwk

Journey

• Journey – American rock band that formed in San Francisco, California in 1973.

• They had 19 top 40 hits. • Named the fifth best American

rock band in history• “Don’t Stop Believin” and“Open Arms”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcjzHMhBtf0

1990s

• Alternative music was very popular.

• Bands and musicians began to experiment with new sounds and instruments.

• Boy Bands and pop music remained popular.

New Kids on the Block

• New Kids on the Block – American boy band which had success in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

• They sold 80 million records world wide.

• “Hangin’ Tough” and “Please Don’t Go Girl”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZusIOLDRs8

Alternative/Grunge Rock• Grunge/Alternative Rock emerged from

Seattle, Washington.• Grunge music was inspired by hardcore

punk, heavy metal and indie rock (independent musicians, not on a record label).

• Characteristics of grunge rock include distorted guitars and contrasting dynamic levels.

• Many grunge musicians were known for their unkempt appearance.

• Popular grunge bands were Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden and Smashing Pumpkins.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsZYqaSc4cU&feature=related

Counting Crows

• Counting Crows – formed in 1991 in Berkley, California.

• They are an alternative rock band.

• “A Long December” and “Hangin’ Around”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkHX4BS4zeo

Dave Matthews Band

• Dave Matthews Band – American jam band which formed in Virginia in 1990

• Incorporates many different genres of music into their songs

• “Ants Matching”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXPOHCsgWFw

Weezer

• Weezer – alternative rock band which formed in Los Angeles in 1992

• “Buddy Holly,” “Island in the Sun” and “Beverly Hills”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kemivUKb4f4

2000s

• During the 2000s, Hip hop, rock, alternative rock, indie rock and pop were popular.

• New styles of music such as Nu Metal became popular.

Green Day• Green Day- American punk rock

band which began in 1987• The band is composed of Billy Joe

Armstrong, Mike Dirnt and Tre Cool.

• Has sold over 65 million records worldwide

• “Wake Me Up When September Ends”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTz8bsLQuqo

Linkin Park

• Linkin Park – American rock band from California

• An example of Nu Metal• Often mix metal with a rap

influence• “In the End”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVTXPUF4Oz4

Cold Play

• Cold Play – English alternative rock band which formed in 1997 in London

• Has sold over 50 million records worldwide

• “In my Place,” “Clocks” and “Viva, La Vida”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5TNK-TvIcI

Nickel Creek

• Nickel Creek – An American acoustic tro

• Some people call them alternative country, new grass or bluegrass.

• “Smootie Song”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcjAXI4jANw

Alicia Keys

• Alicia Keys (1981 to present) – American singer and songwriter

• She is a classically trained pianist.• Has sold over 30 million records

worldwide• “Empire State of Mind, Part 2”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGDTfdbFKHw&feature=related

Nelly

• Cornell Haynes Jr (1974 to present) - American hip-hop/rap artist

• Made his debut in 2000 with Country Grammar

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QPX-o7Decw