Songs on the Rock

From the late 1960’s to the early 1970’s rock music expanded the scale of its instrumentation and formal structures as well as the scope of its harmony and textual content. Technological advancements in recording techniques often added important features to the sound as well. Rock style grew more theatrical as many groups began to concentrate on visual aspects of their stage shows. Rock also began to have a strong impact on Hollywood films and Broadway musicals.

Starting in the late 1960’s many rock performers assembled concept albums, such as Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Beatles) and Bookends (Simon and Garfunkel) in which the songs are linked by a basic idea. In the sense, the concept album is analogous to the song cycle of the Romantic period (1810-1900).

The 1970’s saw continuation of many styles from the 1960’s, the revival of early rock and roll, and the rise of a dance music called Disco. Many veteran performers of the 1960’s continued to be active, but new stars also emerged, including the singer-songwriters Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen, as well as the Mexican American Linda Ronstadt and the “Disco Queen” Donna Summer.

A blend of country music and rock called country rock became popular in the early 1970’s. Country music itself moved into the musical mainstream as its stars (Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton) won national popularity.

In the early 1980’s new wave bands from Britain such as the Police and the Clash were popular with American rock audiences. This “second British invasion” was comparable to the one that had been led by the Beatles during the early 1960’s. Though their styles varied, many British bands of this period, such as New Order and The Cure made extensive use of electronic technology.

The 1980’s saw a renewed interest among teenagers in heavy metal. Popular heavy metal bands of this period include Metallica, Iron Maiden and Guns `n Roses.