Rock Music: Past and Present

Theme : Music
Topic : Rock Music
Title : Rock Music: Past and Present
ROCK MUSIC: Past and Present

Music is an expression of people’s soul. Playing and listening to the music is a matter of taste and interest. Because of that, there are many kinds of music in order that people can express their feeling through music which they like. One of the kinds of music is rock music. Actually, rock music is a genre of popular music. It started to show its existence in 1950s. Rock music always has a connection with electric guitars, bass, and drums. Some of the group bands have a lead singer who sings the lyric of the songs.
The history of rock music started in late 1940s and early 1950s. One of the rock artists is Chuck Berry. Then, by the early 1960s, Chuck Berry had a follower that was the Rolling Stones. At that time, rock music represented the sexual freedom and youthfull rebellion.
In the 1970s, rock music was spreading around the world and was known by many more people. The rock artists of this era were Led Zeppelin who introdeuced a darker rock which is known as hard rock or heavy metal, Pink Floyd who had more complex arrangement of music, and there were also the Sex Pistols and the Clash who simplified rock and created a new branch of rock, that is punk, which is played with loud guitars, rude attitude, and enraged singing.
In the beginning of 1980s, the rock music sounded no longer new and fresh anymore. Some bands like Depeche Mode and R.E.M tried to play with the lyrics. They wrote more introverted and introspective lyrics. However, by the end of that era, they were successful in creating a new branch of rock music that is alternative rock. Alternative rock is also reffered to indie rock because they often signed to independently-owned labels.
Alternative rocks started to become dominant in the early of 1990s. Nirvana brought this branch of music out of its box and showed it to the world. When the lead singer of Nirvana, Kurt Cobain, was comitted suicide, the alternative music began to dissapear in the middle of this era.
Then, Limp Bizkit also combined hard rock and rap into rap-rock. Staind and Puddle of Mudd followed Limp Bizkit although they did not focus in the mixing of rap into rock. At the same time, Red Hot Chili Peppers tried to play with grunge although it was rather difficult.
Entering the 21st century, the development of rock music was getting better and better. Many new bands emerged with their own style but still brought rock flag. Linkin Park fused hip-hop and metal, while 3 Doors Down combined hard-rock with contemporary spin.
If we tried to find, there were still many subgenres of rock music, such as soft rock, glam rock, heavy metal, hard rock, progrssive rock, and punk rock which were developed in the 1970s. While in 1980s, we could find new wave, hardcore punk, and alternative rock. Grunge, Britpop, indie rock, and new metal included in the 1990s era. Even in technology era, rock music could be combined with music software and electronic rock was born successfully. Some rock genres were added because of the development of the technology, such as indie electonic, electroclash, dance-punk, and new wave.
The existence and the popularity of rock music made it became a subculture among the society. It had a major influence on culture, fashion, and even social attitudes. Punk, goth, and emo were the example of the existence of the subculture of rock. It can be seen in the fashion mode. Rock fashion represents the divergent views of sexuality and gender and it is also associated with the sexual freedom and drug use because many rockers were drug user and they often do the free sex.
Whatever people think about rock music, the best part of it is that for people who like rock music, it could express their feeling and their willingness of freedom. The distortion of the guitar would free their mind. The jolt of the drum would disburden their problems. The slapping of the bass guitar would release their soul and they would ‘fly’. Rock music still can be enjoyed by everyone!




References:
Rock Music. Wikipedia. Retrieved May 18, 2010, from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_Music
Rock History. (2005). About.com: Rock Music. Retrieved Feb 13, 2010, from http://rock.about.com/od/rockmusic101/RockHistory.htm

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