The Encyclopedia of World Pop Music

The Encyclopedia of World Pop Music is the first and only reference work to comprehensively document the history of pop music around the world.

Introduction

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 diverse styles. “Pop” and “rock” were roughly synonymous terms until the late 1960s, when they became increasingly differentiated from each other.

Generally, pop music is understood to be commercially recorded music with the aim of being broadcast on radio, television or the Internet. It stands in contrast to folk, jazz, rock or classical.

While pop music sometimes is known as “paper hats music” for its superficiality, some critics have argued that pop music has important cultural value. Pop has been described as “blending elements of commercial and art musics”. It incorporates a range of styles including trends from electronic dance music (EDM), hip hop, rock, country and latin pop.

The Beatles

The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. With a line-up comprising John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, they are widely considered the most influential band of all time. The group were integral to the development of 1960s counterculture and popular music’s recognition as an art form. Rooted in skiffle, beat and 1950s rock and roll, their sound incorporated elements of classical music and traditional pop in innovative ways; the band later explored pop culture with tongue-in-cheek humor on their final studio album, Abbey Road (1969). During their years of active recording, the Beatles sold over 800 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling music artists in history. They still hold the record for the most number-one singles on the UK Singles Chart with 20 and US Billboard Hot 100 chart with 17. In 2008, they were ranked as “The Greatest Artist of All Time” by Rolling Stone magazine. In 2012, Billboard magazine ranked the Beatles at number one on its list of Billboard 200 All-Time Top Artists, making them the only musical group ever to achieve this honor.

Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was an American musician and actor. A cultural icon, he is commonly known by the single name Elvis. One of the most popular musicians of the 20th century, he is often referred to as the “King of Rock and Roll” or simply “the King”.

Born in Tupelo, Mississippi, Presley moved to Memphis, Tennessee with his family at the age of 13. He began his career as a singer with Sun Records in 1954 and achieved rapid success with his distinctive sound and style. His first RCA single, “Heartbreak Hotel”, was released in January 1956 and became a number-one hit in the United States. With a series of successful network television appearances and chart-topping records, he became the leading figure of the newly popular sound of rock and roll. His energized interpretations of songs and sexually suggestive performance style, combined with a disregard for racial segregation, led many white adults to see him as a challenging influence on young people.

In November 1956, Presley made his film debut in Love Me Tender. Drafted into military service in 1958, he personally saw little combat but returned to a celebrity status due to his highly publicized visit to front line troops during the early 1960s. His 1968 comeback special was dominance on The Ed Sullivan Show results in one of the largest viewing audiences for any program up until 1970s.

Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson (born August 29, 1958 in Gary, Indiana, died June 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California), was an American singer, songwriter and dancer. Dubbed the “King of Pop”, he is widely regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century and one of the greatest entertainers of all time. He was also a prominent figure in popular music for over four decades.

Jackson’s contributions to music, dance and fashion along with his publicized personal life made him a global figure in popular culture for over four decades. The seventh child of the Jackson family, he made his professional debut in 1964 with his elder brothers Jackie, Tito and Jermaine as a member of the Jackson 5. He began his solo career in 1971 while at Motown Records. In the early 1980s, Jackson became a dominant figure in popular music. His music videos, including those for “Beat It”, “Billie Jean” and “Thriller” from his 1982 album Thriller, are credited with breaking racial barriers and transforming the medium into an art form and promotional tool. The popularity of these videos helped to bring forth MTV’s transformation into a mainstream television channel during MTV’s first decade following its launch in 1981. With videos such as “Black or White” and “Scream”, he continued to innovate the medium throughout the 1990s by experimenting with special effects and animation techniques through cutting edge computer technology that allowed him complete creative control over his work environment while presenting audiences with visual images that have yet to be outdone by any other artist working within this medium.

As a recording artist, Jackson sold over 350 million records worldwide; while as a songwriter he Also won numerous awards including Grammy Awards (8), American Music Awards (26), Soul Train Awards (10) including their Legend Award which he received posthumously in 2010 as well as 2 Emmy Awards out of 4 nominations. As an inductee into both the Songwriters Hall of Fame and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, he was also honored with numerous lifetime achievement awards including various accolades from Guinness World Records for his record-breaking achievements in both sales and philanthropic causes throughout his career; Jackson became one who had won more awards than any other individual artist during his lifetime according to Guinness World Records which listed him as having been awarded 382 different prizes as of 2014 .

Madonna

Madonna is a pop singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. She is one of the best-selling female recording artists of all time and has sold more than 300 million records worldwide. Madonna has released 14 studio albums, 8 live albums, and 58 singles. Her most successful albums include Like a Virgin (1984), True Blue (1986), Ray of Light (1998), and Confessions on a Dance Floor (2005). Madonna has also won multiple awards, including Grammys, Golden Globes, and an Academy Award.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Encyclopedia of World Pop Music is an essential reference work for anyone interested in the history and development of pop music around the world. It provides a wealth of information on the subject, and is sure to be a valuable resource for years to come.