Who Created Pop Music?

A look at the history of pop music and the artists who created it.

Origins of Pop Music

Pop music is a genre of popular music that originated in its modern form in the United States and United Kingdom during the mid-1950s. The terms “popular music” and “pop music” are often used interchangeably, although the former describes all music that is popular and includes many disparate styles.

Pre-1920s: Ragtime, Jazz, and Blues

Pop music is a genre of popular music that originated in its modern form in the United States and United Kingdom during the mid-1950s. The terms “popular music” and “pop music” are often used interchangeably, although the former describes all music that is popular and includes many different styles.

Ragtime, blues, and jazz were all major influences on the development of pop music. Ragtime was a type of dance music that was popular in the early 1900s. It was characterized by a syncopated, or off-beat, rhythm. Blues is a type of African American folk music that originated in the Deep South around the end of the 19th century. Blues was originally performed by solo singers accompanied by guitars or pianos. Jazz is a type of music that originated in New Orleans, Louisiana, in the early 20th century. It is characterized by a swinging rhythm, syncopated melodies, and improvisation.

1920s: The Birth of Pop

In the late 1910s and early 1920s, there was a thriving subculture in the United States known as “jazz.” This new type of music was characterized by its syncopated rhythms, improvised solos, and bluesy melodies. Jazz quickly caught on with young people across the country, who were drawn to its rebellious spirit and infectious beats.

During this same period, a new type of pop music was beginning to take shape. Drawing from a variety of sources, including vaudeville, Tin Pan Alley, and blues, this new sound was more polished and commercial than jazz. It wasn’t long before the two genres began to collide, giving birth to a new style of music: pop.

From its humble beginnings in the 1920s, pop has grown into one of the most popular genres in the world. Today, it encompasses everything from chart-topping hits to independent artists making their own way in the industry. No matter what form it takes, pop music always has one thing at its core: a catchy melody that’s impossible to resist.

1930s-1940s: Big Band Swing

The 1930s saw the rise of big band music, which came to dominate the popular music scene for several decades. Big bands originally consisted of 10 or more musicians, and they were quite popular in the early part of the decade. However, the Great Depression led to a decline in the popularity of big band music, as people could no longer afford to go out and hear live music.

Big band swing is a style of jazz that developed in the early 1940s and became very popular during World War II. The style is characterized by its use of brass instruments and a driving rhythm. Big band swing was the first type of pop music to achieve nationwide popularity, and it paved the way for other genres such as rock and roll and soul.

1950s: Rock n’ Roll

The origins of pop music can be traced back to the early 1950s, when African American musicians created a new style of music that blended elements of jazz, gospel, and rhythm and blues. This new type of music, which came to be known as rock n’ roll, was characterized by a heavy beat and simple melodies.

The first rock n’ roll hit was “Rock Around the Clock” by Bill Haley and His Comets, which topped the Billboard charts in 1955. That same year, Elvis Presley rose to prominence with his debut single, “Heartbreak Hotel.” Presley’s success helped to make rock n’ roll more acceptable to mainstream audiences, and by the end of the decade, it had become one of the most popular genres in the United States.

Other important early rock n’ roll artists include Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Buddy Holly, and Jerry Lee Lewis. These artists laid the foundation for what would become one of the most enduring and popular genres of music.

The Beatles

The Beatles were an English rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960. They became the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed act in the history of popular music. They are considered by many to be the greatest and most influential band of all time.

1960s: The British Invasion

The Beatles became famous in the United States in February 1964 after appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show. They released a string of number one hits including “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “A Hard Day’s Night,” and “Help!” Their success spearheaded the British Invasion of the American music charts.

Other British bands such as The Rolling Stones, The Who, and The Kinks also enjoyed success in the United States. These bands brought a new sound to American pop music which was characterized by its energy and youthful exuberance.

The Beatles’ popularity helped to pave the way for other British bands such as The Animals, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and Queen to find success in the United States. These bands brought a new sound to American rock music which was characterized by its hardness and heaviness.

1970s: The End of an Era

The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. With members John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, they became widely regarded as the foremost and most influential music band of the 20th century. They were integral to the development of 1960s counterculture and popular music’s recognition as an art form. Rooted in skiffle and 1950s rock and roll, their sound incorporated elements of classical music and traditional pop in innovative ways; the band later explored animation, film, television and experimental recording techniques.

After the group’s break-up in 1970, all four members enjoyed success as solo artists. Lennon was shot and killed in December 1980; McCartney and Harrison both died of cancer in November 2001. Starr continues to tour with his All-Starr Band. According to RIAA, the Beatles are the best-selling band in history, with certified sales of over 178 million units sold in the United States and more than 600 million records sold worldwide. They have had more number-one albums on the British charts (15) and held the record for spending more weeks at number one (174 weeks) than any other artist since 1957. In 2008, Billboard magazine ranked them the greatest artist of all time.

Conclusion

In the end, there is no single answer to the question of who created pop music. Its origins are complex and often disputed, but there is no doubt that pop music is one of the most popular genres in the world today. Whether you love it or hate it, there’s no denying its impact on the music industry and popular culture.