• 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.

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

• 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.

• 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

1950s http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFq5O2kabQo
Modern Day http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVWm9PQeYtE
• 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=tk7TrGqh-ec&feature=related
• 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=4bB5xL577r4
• Jerry Lee Lewis (1935-present) – Outrageous piano player who composed and performed
‘Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On’ and ‘Great
Balls of Fire’.

• 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.

• 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.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iim6s8Ea_bE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iim6s8Ea_bE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6G7MkBMVxE
• 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”

• 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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRlj5vjp3Ko
• 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=XgDrJ5Z2rKw&feature=related
Feverish Dancing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGbpucWLfpE
• 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”

• 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 – 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.

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

• 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 – 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

• 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).

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

• 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 (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 – English pop band that formed in the early 1980s.
• “Shout” and “Head Over Heals” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0TYun-Nq1Q

• 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 – 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

• 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 – 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

• 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 – 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 – 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 – 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

• 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- 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 – 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 – 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 – An American acoustic tro
• Some people call them alternative country, new grass or bluegrass.
• “Smootie Song” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcjAXI4jANw

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

• 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