Rock Music Has Many Genres

Rock music is a popular from of music that is accompanied by instruments like drums, guitar and bass. Rock music in itself has many styles that were incorporated by musicians who loved this music. One can come across rock music where instruments like synthesizers, piano and organ is also used. Rock music began in the early fifties in United States and the United Kingdom and like all popular music has it own loyal fan following. Rock music was subsequently mixed with many other elements of music to give their own touch to rock music. Rock song subsequently over the years had many new genres added in its fold.
So in 1970s jazz was blended with rock to create jazz rock music, and then it was blended with folk music resulting in folk rock and later Latin, soul and funk music also had its influences on rock music at times. Today we have different categories under rock music and some of the popular ones are heavy metal rock, progressive rock, blues rock, soft rock, punk rock and techno rock among others. In the 1980's and 1990's many new additional genres of rock music such as Brit pop rock, Indie rock, alternative rock, hard rock and grunge style rock were introduced. The United Kingdom is another country where rock country flourished and British rock is also as famous as American rock music all over the world.
One of the greatest rock music band The Beatles is from Britain and they are famous worldwide for their songs and rock music. Through 1970 Pink Floyd was the most influential band in the rock music scene. This group had four artists and all of them were from Britain. The kind of rock music that Pink Floyd was sang was known as psychedelic rock. The folk scene combined with rock gave the new term folk rock. Here all the traditional songs were combined with the instruments that were traditionally associated with rock music. This genre of music was pioneered by Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie. Some of the other popular rock folk rock music artists include Joni Mitchell, Neil Young and The Band.
Progressive rock is one genre of rock music which went beyond the established musical norms and was more experimental in nature. Singers and musicians that were associated with this genre loved to experiment with different types of instruments, beats, musical forms of type of songs. Bands that played progressive rock music borrowed elements from jazz, folk, electronic and classical music to experiment with rock that turned out to be very successful. Some of the bands that were into singing progressive rock included Camel, Can, Barclay James Harvest, King Crimson, Magma and Yes among many others. Music be it of any kind rock music, house music, gospel music, folk music or country music each has its own touch and of course its own group of loyal followers.

Modern Music: Rock Rot

Whenever I'm out driving and I listen to Modern Rock Radio one band always catches my ear; The Foo Fighters. I told my son one day when they came on and after I asked him who it was, "I think I like the Foo Fighters."
"I like to listen to them in the car," he said, "but I don't think I'd download their album."
I agreed with him and then thought about why that is. The Foo Fighters have good dynamics in their music, unlike most bands these days, the vocals are good and the melodies are catchy so what's the problem? I think it's because every song, no matter how pretty it may begin, ends up in a screamfest.
When I was a kid my parents would listen to The Beatles' Twist and Shout or Led Zeppelin's Whole Lotta Love and say, "That's not singing, that's just screaming." So am I just old now and saying the same thing my folks said to me?
I don't think the problem with a lot of modern rock for me is the fact that the vocalist screams his lyrics, John Lennon really did scream Twist and Shout and Robert Plant really did scream a lot, but not on every song that got radio play. Mostly I think the difference is in the attitude. When John Lennon screamed out a Beatle song he screamed in joyous exuberance. Although, later in his solo career on songs like Cold Turkey his screams seemed in anguish, on the Beatles material he and McCartney's screams were screams of excitement and that's exactly the reaction they caused in the listener. By contrast, when Dave Grohl, or Chris Cornell or most of the modern rockers and Heavy Metal singers scream it seems as if in a blind rage, against the machine or otherwise. The screams of people riding a roller coaster gives you a very different feeling than hearing the screams of people rioting in the streets. One is inviting and makes you excited to join in the fun and the other makes you want to run away, at least if you don't have that kind of pent up rage within you yourself.
I can enjoy listening to a band like the Foo Fighters when I'm out driving around but they're not something I could listen to late at night with my headphones on when in bed. Again, it's not the volume or intensity that pushes me away, it's the emotion behind it. Where are the joyous, happy songs that have that kind of energy anymore?
Back in the Eighties the members of the band The Pet Shop Boys were producing a record by Liza Minnelli, of all people, and reportedly told her during a video shoot, "For God's sake, don't smile. This is Rock & Roll." What the hell? Where did that tradition come from? Why didn't anyone tell Elvis or Chuck Berry or Little Richard or John Lennon or Paul McCartney not to smile?
Rock and roll is an art form and art reflects the world in which it is made. If anger, rage and depression are the only acceptable expressions of rock and roll for the past thirty years it's no wonder we're in so much trouble. Perhaps a good remedy to at least some of our national woes would be to once again utilize rock and roll music as a form to express joy, peace and love, like it once was. It could be a new start.

AC/DC - 80's Music Rock Gods

AC/DC - The thunder from down under and possibly the biggest, loudest thing that has ever come out of Australia. Unless you have lived under a rock all your life, you know who this band is. Original lead singer Bon Scott passed way too early, but I believe Brian Johnson has filled the shoes extremely well. Angus and Malcolm Young complete the original lineup and hard, fast rock are what these guys are all about. From the early days of Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, to the excellent movie soundtrack of Maximum Overdrive, they have a style all their own.
TNT, Big Balls, Wole Lotta Rosie, Thunderstruck, the 80's classic hits seem to go on and on. One thing I don't understand though. Where does Angus Young get all the energy to keep doing show after show like he does? The school boy uniform, and the constant running across the stage is a sight to witness. I often wonder how many uniforms he has worn, and where he gets them. For most bands, the lead singer is the center of attraction. With this band, the lead guitarist is the main figure. Talk about talent, how does anyone run and play the guitar at the same time? I don't mean a slow steady trot, either. Angus is in a full out sprint constantly during the show. The other band members are'nt no slouches, the wall of sound they put up is almost intoxicating. Loud drums, loud bass, loud rhythm guitar, just loud!!
My personal Top Ten AC/DC song list.
10 - Hells Bells
9 - Shoot To Thrill
8 - TNT
7 - Back In Black
6 - Jailbreak
5 - For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)
4 - Moneytalks
3 - You Shook Me All Night Long
2 - Thunderstruck
1 - Big Balls
What would your top ten list look like? Do you agree or disagree with me? Hopefully you will remember all of these classic 80's music hits. I suggest breaking out your favorite AC/DC album and playing it loud from start to finish. Get pumped and enjoy!! Remember, play it loud, but most of all play it proud! Rock on!