Rock Music

music genre · electric guitars · 1950s · blues roots

Started from blues. Rock music grew out of African-American blues and rhythm and blues music, mixed with country tunes. Musicians took those sounds and added electric guitars to make something totally new.

Born in America. Rock and roll first appeared in the United States in the late 1940s and early 1950s. It quickly spread to the United Kingdom where it inspired tons of new bands.

Electric guitar centerpiece. The electric guitar is the heart of rock music. A rock band typically has an electric guitar player, a bass guitarist, a drummer, and one or more singers working together.

Many musical flavors. Rock music mixed sounds from blues, country, electric blues, folk, and even jazz. This blend of styles is why rock has so many different sounds and feels.