Rock Music Styles

Rock music styles: a history.

"In this edition, A History is intended to be used as the text for a college-level course on the history of rock music. As a teacher and a writer, author's primary concern has been to help students develop an understanding of both the musical and cultural roots of rock music and the ability to hear a direct relationship between those roots and currently popular music"--

Rock & roll is about sensual transcendence--about uproarious sounds and incredible visual drama. As the lights come up and the band hits the stage, the first impression is of what the musicians are playing--and what they're wearing. Now, from Tommy Hilfiger, the fashion designer most embraced by popular musicians in the 1990s comes this compelling revue of rock style--the clothes musicians have worn for the stage and camera and for sheer, outrageous fun--from the 1950s to right now. From the patched jeans and fringe leather of Neil Young to the chameleonlike transformations of David Bowie, the looks musicians have defined for themselves is as integral a part of their message and artistic identity as their music. Drawing on an assembly of brilliant, many rarely seen images from rock's best photographers, Hilfiger (working with renowned music journalist Anthony DeCurtis) guides readers through the wild visual world of artists whose sartorial coolness has defined what's hip. Focusing on the icons of rock, hip-hop, pop and R&B who have daringly pushed the edges of fashion and set trends--icons like Jimi Hendrix, Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Madonna and Prince--Hilfiger offers unique insights and sharp anecdotes to tell the ongoing, ever-evolving story of rock style.

Rock Music Styles blends musical commentary into an historical framework as it traces the styles of Rock music from its roots in country and blues to the most contemporary trends.

Rock Music Styles: A History blends musical commentary into an historical and social framework as it traces the development of rock music from its roots in the blues, country, gospel, and other pre-rock music through the decades to the most contemporary styles of rock music. The book features a series of detailed listening guides that explore examples of the genre in significant musical detail, enabling students to connect the popular music of yesterday with that of today.

In this concise and engaging analysis of rock music, music theorist Ken Stephenson explores the features that make this internationally popular music distinct from earlier music styles. The author offers a guided tour of rock music from the 1950s to the present, emphasizing the theoretical underpinnings of the style and, for the first time, systematically focusing not on rock music's history or sociology, but on the structural aspects of the music itself. What structures normally happen in rock music? What theoretical systems or models might best explain them? The book addresses these questions and more in chapters devoted to phrase rhythm, scales, key determination, cadences, harmonic palette and succession, and form. Each chapter provides richly detailed analyses of individual rock pieces from groups including Chicago; the Beatles; Emerson, Lake, and Palmer; Kansas; and others. Stephenson shows how rock music is stylistically unique, and he demonstrates how the features that make it distinct have tended to remain constant throughout the past half-century and within most substyles. For music students at the college level and for practicing rock musicians who desire a deeper understanding of their music, this book is an essential resource.

This fun-to-read, easy-to-use reference has been completely updated, expanded, and revised with reviews of over 12,000 great albums by over 2,000 artists and groups in all rock genres. 50 charts.

Rock Music Styles: A History, takes students on a musical journey through the development of rock music from its origins to its most contemporary styles. Charlton uses in-depth summaries and descriptions paired with a historical background to help immerse students in different musical genres. Learning from featured performers throughout the text and exploring important songs in new and revised Listening guides, students will be able to draw connections between musical developments throughout the decades. The eighth edition of Rock Music Styles: A History provides students a deeper understanding and appreciation of rock music styles in the 20th century and beyond.