"Beginnings
• First music was mostly religious music of native Americans (Am. Indians).
• Colonization of America brought new styles of music and instruments (Christian choirs, drums, string instruments, banjo from slaves).
• Immigration of settlers in 16th century brought new kinds of folk music (Polka, Asian music, Irish music, Jewish klezmer, Latin music…).
20th century
• In the early 20th century jazz and blues began to attract mainstream audience. Chicago = jazz capital, famous was Louis Armstrong.
• In 1940‘s -1950’s the first teen stars arose, like Frank Sinatra.
Rockabilly style arose - it was the earliest style of rock and roll music. Famous was Elvis Presley, Bill Haley. They were white, but sang in a black style. Black music was not perceived as appropriate for white listeners.
• In 1960‘s bands like The Beach Boys and The Mamas & the Papas start to be popular.
• In 1970’s heavy metal, glam-metal (Kiss), hard rock, country rock and disco arose. A weird glam-rock-metal star David Bowie was famous for gender-bending costumes and themes. Also, Hip hop arose in New York City and spread across the country.
• In 1980’s teen pop and dance-pop, pop trends (Michael Jackson, Madonna) continuous. Electronic music arose in popularity (house, techno). Rock, hard rock, metal music was very popular too (Aerosmith, Guns N' Roses, Metallica).
Hip hop meets first taste of mainstream success - LL Cool J, Kurtis Blow.
• In 1990’s trends continuous. Rock music (Bon Jovi), house, techno, hair metal (Extreme).
Hip Hop Dr. Dre‘s,West Coast G Funk sound = widespread success,… two gangs fighting (even shooting) West Coast‘s: Tupac Shakur X East Coast‘s: Notorious B.I.G., Puff Daddy, 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes, OutKast = mainstream audience
21st century
• Bubblegum pop groups dominated in early 21st century (Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, with a Latin beat Shakira, Ricky Martin).
• Hip hop had become a part of most recorded American popular music
• Todays from all known music styles musicians create new forms.
o Nu metal (Korn, Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park) was invented.
o rock music experimenting with digital sounds (The Killers).
o Hip hop fused with funk, techno, psychedelia, and gospel sounds (Outkast)
o Most popular are pop trends, pop-rock,…: Ed Sheeran, Adele, Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga."