Rock is for Everyone

Starting in the 50s, pioneers such as Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, and Little Richard helped to spread rock throughout the United States and eventually the world. From then on sub-genres of rock were gradually created leading to one of the widest varieties within one genre imaginable. Below are the descriptions, origins, pioneers, and more regarding 6 of the most popular sub-genres of rock; however, there are countless others that fit countless other tastes. If one below doesn’t seem to catch your interest don’t let it discourage you from trying the genre. 

• Alternative Rock: Emerging in the early 90s it served as an alternative to mainstream rock music and was more pop oriented. Using unconventional sounds, varied song structures, and different musical styles, Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” became mainstream, sparking the abundance of Alt Rock throughout the decade. Notable artists include Nirvana, R.E.M, The Cure, Pixies, Radiohead, and The Smashing Pumpkins.

• Hard Rock: Starting in the late 60s, hard rock is characterized by its heavy use of distorted electric guitars, powerful drumming, and strong vocals. It’s aggressive, loud, and energetic. Although there are many influences, the most foundational artist was Led Zeppelin most known for “Stairway to Heaven.” However, the attributes of hard rock are most prevalent in “Whole Lotta Love,” “Immigrant Song,” “Black Dog,” and “Kashmir.” Other notable artists include Deep Purple, AC/DC, Black Sabbath, and Guns N’ Roses.

  

• Progressive Rock: Again in the late 60s, emerged progressive rock which is known for its experimental nature and complexity. This is where the boundaries of traditional rock are pushed and new techniques are used. The earliest examples of prog rock can be found in the work of King Crimson’s “21st Century Schizoid Man” who never found mainstream success due to how different they sounded compared to mainstream artists such as The Beatles as well as a significant number of lineup changes. The artist who had the most impact within the genre however was Pink Floyd assisted by one of the best-selling albums of all time, “Dark Side of the Moon.” Notable artists include Pink Floyd, Yes, Genesis, King Crimson, Rush, Jethro Tull, and Styx.

• Punk Rock: Originating from the mid-70s, punk rock is fast-paced, stripped-down, and straightforward forward usually with politically charged lyrics. It has a do-it-yourself and rebellious feel that rejects mainstream conventions. Early examples of the stripped-down nature of punk are seen in music by bands such as Velvet Underground but the Ramones are viewed as one of the earliest Punk bands. A great example is The Clash’s “Should I Stay or Should I Go.” Notable artists include The Ramones, Sex Pistols,  The Clash, The Stooges, and Buzzcocks.

• Soft Rock: Emerging in the late 1960s, soft rock is characterized by its smooth and gentle melodies, often accompanied by acoustic instrumentation such as guitars and pianos. The lyrics often focus on romantic themes, relationships, and introspective topics. It incorporates elements from other musical styles while maintaining its emphasis on a soft and easygoing approach. The later works of the Beatles are the earliest instance of this genre with songs such as “Across the Universe.” However, the best example of the genre would be songs such as James Taylor’s  “Carolina in My Mind” or Carly Simon’s “Nobody Does it Better.” Notable artists include Elton John, Fleetwood Mac, James Taylor, Christopher Cross, Carly Simon, Paul Simon, and Carole King.

• Southern Rock: From the late ’60s, southern rock blends elements of rock with traditional Southern musical influences, including blues, country, and even elements of gospel and soul. It places a strong emphasis on guitar instrumentation, is laid back, relates to the Southern way of life, and reflects on the traditions of the Southern region. The most influential bands associated with the early development of Southern rock is The Allman Brothers who blended blues, rock, and elements of jazz, creating a sound that became a cornerstone of Southern rock as seen in “Rambling Man” and “Midnight Rider”. Notable bands include The Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top, Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR), Marshall Tucker Band, and The Eagles.