When Did Electronic Music Become Popular?

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

A look at the history of electronic music and how it has become one of the most popular genres today.

The Birth of Electronic Music

The first electronic musical instruments were developed in the early 20th century. The first electronic music was created in the 1920s and 1930s. It wasn’t until the 1960s that electronic music became popular. In the 1970s, electronic music became mainstream.

The first electronic music instruments

The first electronic music instruments were invented in the early 1900s. These instruments, called theremins, were used to create sounds that were very different from anything that had been heard before. Theremins quickly became popular with musicians who wanted to create new and innovative music.

In the 1920s, another type of electronic instrument was invented. This instrument, called the syntheziser, could create a wider range of sounds than the theremin. Synthesizers quickly became popular with musicians who wanted to create new and innovative music.

In the 1960s, a new type of electronic instrument was invented. This instrument, called the Moog synthesizer, could create a wider range of sounds than any other synthesizer that had been invented up to that time. Moog synthesizers quickly became popular with musicians who wanted to create new and innovative music.

The first electronic music compositions

The first electronic music compositions were made in the early 20th century, using a variety of electrical and mechanical instruments. The most famous early work is the Compositions for Space intérieurs by Edgard Varèse, which was first performed in 1931. In the 1940s and 1950s, composers such as John Cage and Karlheinz Stockhausen began to experiment with new ways of making music using electronics. This led to the development of electronic music studios, in which composers could create new sounds using a variety of different instruments.

The first electronic music studios were built in the United States, but it was in Europe that they really took off. In the 1960s, composers such as Luciano Berio and Pierre Henry began to experiment with new techniques for composing and performing electronic music. This led to the development of new types of electronic instruments, such as the synthesizer. The 1970s saw the rise of electronic dance music, with bands like Kraftwerk and Giorgio Moroder creating pioneering tracks that would go on to influence many other genres.

The Rise of Electronic Music

The popularity of electronic music in the 1970s

The popularity of electronic music in the 1970s was spurred by the release of several influential albums, including Kraftwerk’s Autobahn and Giorgio Moroder’s Scarface Soundtrack. These albums helped to popularize electronic music as a mainstream genre, and paved the way for other artists to experiment with synthesizers and other electronic instruments.

The 1980s saw a further increase in the popularity of electronic music, with artists like Depeche Mode, New Order, and Human League achieving mainstream success. The 1990s saw the rise of techno and house music, with DJs like Laurent Garnier and Jeff Mills becoming global superstars. The 2000s saw a return to more melody-driven electronic music with artists like David Guetta and Daft Punk achieving widespread popularity.

The popularity of electronic music in the 1980s

The popularity of electronic music in the 1980s can be attributed to a number of factors. First, the advent of affordable and portable synthesisers and drum machines made it possible for musicians to create electronic music without a lot of expensive equipment. Second, the rise of club culture in the early 1980s created a demand for new types of music to dance to, and electronic music was at the forefront of this movement. Finally, the popularity of early pioneers like Kraftwerk and Giorgio Moroder helped to legitimize electronic music in the eyes of the mainstream.

The popularity of electronic music in the 1990s

The popularity of electronic music in the 1990s can be attributed to a number of factors. First, the technological advances of the time made it possible for artists to create more complex and interesting sounds. Second, the rise of digital media made it easier for people to access and share music. And finally, the popularity of club culture and dance music played a role in making electronic music more mainstream.

In the 1990s, electronic music artists such as Aphex Twin, Leftfield, and Massive Attack released groundbreaking albums that pushed the boundaries of what was possible with music production. At the same time, DJs and producers like Fatboy Slim and Chemical Brothers were creating catchy and accessible tracks that found an audience beyond just dance clubs. As electronic music became more popular, it began to influence other genres such as pop and rock. By the end of the decade, electronic music was truly mainstream.

The Present Day

Though its popularity has only grown in recent decades, electronic music has been around for quite some time. In fact, the first electronic musical instrument, the Theremin, was invented way back in 1920. It wasn’t until the 1960s though that electronic music really started to take off.

The popularity of electronic music in the 2000s

The popularity of electronic music in the 2000s can be traced back to several factors. First, the rise of the internet made it easier for people to discover and share new music. Second, the explosion of mobile devices like smartphones and iPods made it easier for people to listen to music on the go. And finally, the rise of social media platforms like MySpace and YouTube helped electronic music artists connect with their fans and build buzz around their music.

The popularity of electronic music in the 2010s

In the 2010s, electronic music became increasingly popular. This was due in part to the rise of digital music services such as Spotify and iTunes, which made it easy for people to discover and listen to new music. In addition, the use of social media platforms such as SoundCloud and YouTube helped to promote the discovery of new artists and songs. Finally, the rise of festivals such as Coachella and Ultra Music Festival meant that more people were exposed to electronic music than ever before.

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