The Subgenre's of Rock Music

Rock and Roll


Rock and Roll originated in America in the 1940's. The origins are Rhythm and Blues, Gospel music Country and Western.
Some rock and Roll artists are:

• Elvis Presley
• Little Richard
• Buddy Holly

Rock and roll music died down at the end of the 1950's. However after this, something that the US called 'The British Invasion' occurred, the first British rock and roll hit was 'Move it' by cliff Richard this hit ushered in the sound of British rock. Even though Rock n Roll was fading into light pop and ballads British rock acts were becoming more successful, They were starting to play with intensity found in White American Acts.

 The British Invasion

 In the early 1960's, the British rock scene had begun with groups called 'Beat groups' such as:

• The Beatles
• Freddie and the Dreamers
• The Hollies

These bands were from Manchester and were influenced heavily by soul, rhythm, blues and surf music. There music was usually considered bouncy and irresistible melodies. Where as groups from London such as the 'Rolling stones' were more influenced by rhythm and blues and unlike beat bands they were less sexually innocent and much more aggressive songs. These two tendencies tended to crossover and in 1963 led by The Beatles beat bands had begun national success in Britain which was soon followed by rhythm and blues artists. In 1964 the Beatles became successful in the USA and went on to become the biggest selling rock band of all time, and many British bands followed in the charts. British Artists became dominant in the music industry i the UK and USA with bands such as:

• The Kinks
• The Rolling Stones
• Freddie and the dreamers

Garage Rock

This type of rock originated in the mid-1960's in North America, and was mostly influenced by surf rock, it is well known to be amateur as it was rehearsed in a garage of a suburban home, Garage rock songs are usually about traumas of school, the lyrics used are shouted and so were very aggressive. example bands of garage rock:

• The Trashman
• Paul revere and the Raiders
• The Kingsman

Pop Rock

Pop rock is described as being and upbeat version of rock,, pop and rock music have been known to be similar in lyrics, instrumental and sound. Pop Rock music mixes pops light lyrics with rock instrumentals, some example of pop rock artists are:

• Elton John
• Paul McCartney
• The Everly Brothers

Blues Rock


This sub genre came into existence in the 1950's and got it's Inspiration from the American Blues and acoustic. The music of this genre is loud and is centred mainly around the electrics guitar, It is music that combines blues standards with rock instrumental. some examples of blues rock bands are:

• The J.Geils Band
• Jimmy Hendrix
• Johnny Winter

Folk Rock

In the 1960's we saw folk rock become popular mainly in America, folk rock is made with a   combination of a folk song with rock instrumental, with instruments such as drums and guitars, some folk rock artists are:

• The Beatles-'I'm a Loser'
• The Byrd's

The songs produced were thought to have been influenced by Bob Dylan's earlier records of folk music. In 1967 folk-rock reached its peak before artists began to move on in different musical directions such as country rock.


Jazz rock

Jazz rock came into existence in the late 1960's, which was influenced by blues-rock and psychedelic rock. Jazz rock mixes the power of rock music with the complexity elements of jazz. Many artists of Jazz rock had emerged from British jazz. Some Jazz rock artists:

• Steely Dan
• The Free Spirits
• Soft Machine

Glam rock

This sub genre emerged in the late 1960's, Glam rock is mainly associated with fashion such as Hollywood glam, pinup sex appeal, symbolist styles and many more, the main look of glam rock is 'outrageous', not just in clothes styles, but also make up and hairstyles. It is classed as a sub genre because of the fashion style used, as rock bands began to use this style and so became a single sub genre. The glam style was used by artists such as:

• Elton John
• Kiss
• Queen
• Rod Stewart

Punk rock

Punk rock originated in the early 1970's n the US and UK, the music is fast and hard-edged, the songs made were usually short with political lyrics. Most punk-rock bands recorded and distributed there own sings.

• The Clash
• The Sex Pistols
• Patti Smith

Punk became very popular in the UK, and so a punk subculture came into existence where songs would express rebellious attitudes with lyrics, clothing and ideologies.

Heartland rock

Heartland rock developed in the 1970's and was a straight forward style of music and sings about lives of ordinary people, its main influences were folk, country and rock and roll

• Bruce Springsteen
• Kid Rock
• Tom Petty

Indie rock

In the 1980's indie rock developed in the USA and UK, it was originally used to describe record labels. In the 2000's many indie artists began to become successful in the music industry, Indie rock is very popular at the moment with artists such as:

• Ed Sheeran
• Ellie Goulding
• The Script
• Snow Patrol
• The Kooks

Alternative Rock

Alternative rock is a term to describe underground music. In the 1980's alternative rock artists received little attention. Alternative rock has no actual musical style, however it has sometimes been associated mainly with guitars and power chords. The lyrics of alternative rock tend to address social concern, drug use and depression. Some alternative rock artists are:

• Coldplay
• Sex Pistols
• Red Hot Chilli Peppers
• Foo Fighters
• Radiohead