What is the History of Pop Music?

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

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

Contents

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.

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 exact origins of pop music are difficult to determine because it is a cross-disciplinary form of music that combines elements of various other genres, including rock, R&B, jazz, and country.

Early 20th century

The term “popular music” originated in the 19th century, specifically referring to music publications such as sheet music. However, the term “pop music” was used as early as 1900. It referred to a type of music that was light, easy to understand and had a strong melody. This type of music was popular with people who did not go to musical theatre or opera, and did not want to listen to classical music.

In the early 20th century, pop music had a few different subgenres. One of these was barbershop quartet music, which was popular from the 1890s until around World War II. Another subgenre was Tin Pan Alley pop, named after the section of New York City where songwriters and publishers congregated. This type of pop became popular in the early 1900s and continued to be popular until around 1950.

1950s

The 1950s saw the birth of rock and roll. Developed from a combination of blues, country and R&B, rock and roll was a new sound that shook up the music industry and had a major impact on popular culture. One of the most popular and influential artists of the time was Elvis Presley, who became known as the “King of Rock and Roll.” His unique style of singing and performing caught the attention of young people all over the world, and helped to make rock and roll one of the most popular genres of music.

The British Invasion

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 synonymous terms until the late 1960s, when they became distinctly different musical styles.

1960s

The 1960s was a decade of profound change in music. It saw the rise of British rock bands like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Who. These bands became global superstars and their popularity ushered in a new era of Western pop music. They were followed by other British Invasion bands like The Kinks, The Animals, and Herman’s Hermits. American acts like The Beach Boys, Simon & Garfunkel, and The Doors also found success in the 1960s. This was a decade of great change in pop music, as artists began to experiment with new sounds and ideas.

The Beatles were the most successful band of the 1960s. They released a string of critically acclaimed albums including “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” and ” Abbey Road.” They also starred in a series of popular films including “A Hard Day’s Night” and “Help!” The Beatles helped to define the sound of the 1960s and their influence is still felt today.

The Rolling Stones were another hugely successful British band of the 1960s. They released a series of classic albums including “Beggars Banquet,” “Let it Bleed,” and “Sticky Fingers.” The Rolling Stones are known for their hard-edged blues-influenced sound and their rebellious image. They remain one of the most popular bands in the world today.

The Who were another hugely successful British band of the 1960s. They released a series of classic albums including “My Generation,” “Quadrophenia,” and “Who’s Next.” The Who are known for their powerful rock sound and their wild stage shows. They remain one of the most popular bands in the world today.

The Kinks were a British band who released a string of hits in the 1960s including “You Really Got Me,” “All Day and All of the Night,” and “Tired of Waiting for You.” The Kinks are known for their catchy pop hooks and their unique blend of pop, rock, and country influences.

The Animals were a British band who had a number of hits in the 1960s including “House of the Rising Sun,” “We Gotta Get Out of This Place,” and “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood.” The Animals are known for their gritty R&B sound andtheir lead singer Eric Burdon’s powerful vocals.

Herman’s Hermits were a British band who had a numberof hits in the 1960s including “I’m Into Something Good,””Can’t You Hear My Heartbeat?,” and”There’s A Kind Of Hush (All Over The World).”Herman’s Hermits were known for their harmless pop soundand their lead singer Peter Noone’s charming vocals.

1970s

The 1970s were a time of change and progress for popular music. From the early years characterized by the “British Invasion” led by The Beatles to the disco and punk rock dominated late 1970s, this decade was truly a musical melting pot.

The early 1970s saw the continuation of the British Invasion, with artists like Elton John, David Bowie, and Led Zeppelin becoming some of the biggest names in music. Glam rock also emerged as a popular genre, with artists like Marc Bolan and Alice Cooper enjoying success.

The mid-1970s saw the rise of disco, with artists like Gloria Gaynor, Donna Summer, and The Bee Gees becoming some of the most successful musicians of all time. However, disco was not without its detractors, and by the end of the decade it had begun to fall out of favour with many music fans.

The late 1970s saw the rise of punk rock, with bands like The Sex Pistols and The Clash leading the charge. Punk was a reaction against both disco and the more mainstream sounds that had dominated earlier in the decade, and it would go on to have a major influence on popular music in subsequent years.

The Americanization 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 different styles.

1980s

The 1980s saw the Americanization of pop music. The decade began with the British Invasion, led by the Beatles, and ended with the domination of American pop by Madonna, Michael Jackson, and Prince. In between, there was a period of increased international cooperation and exchange, with artists from all over the world finding success in the United States. This was due in part to the proliferation of cable television and music videos, which made it possible for people to see and hear music from other cultures.

The 1980s also saw the rise of Hip Hop. Rap music began in Jamaican clubs in the 1970s, but it was not until the early 1980s that it began to gain popularity in the United States. In 1981, Afrika Bambaataa and the Soulsonic Force released “Planet Rock,” a song that incorporated elements of Hip Hop, Disco, and Funk. Hip Hop would go on to become one of the most popular genres of music in the United States.

1990s

In the 1990s, American pop music became even more diverse, with the rise of alternative rock, hip hop, and R&B. All of these genres were influenced by African American music, but they also each had their own unique sound. Alternative rock bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam became some of the most popular musicians in the world, while hip hop artists like Tupac and Snoop Dogg achieved mainstream success. R&B singers like Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston dominated the charts with their soulful ballads.

The global reach 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.

2000s

The 2000s saw the rise of a new generation of pop music stars. Groups like *NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys brought a new level of excitement to the genre, while solo artists like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera helped to keep the momentum going. In the latter part of the decade, Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Rihanna, and Lady Gaga would come to dominate the charts with their catchy hooks and undeniable talent.

2010s

In the 2010s, pop music became more and more diverse, with more and more genres mixing together to create new hybrid genres. This process was helped along by social media platforms like YouTube and Soundcloud, which allowed artists to share their music with the world much more easily than in the past.

One of the most popular genres of the 2010s was EDM (electronic dance music), which is a genre that combines elements of several different genres, including pop, house, techno, trance, and dubstep. EDM artists like Skrillex, Deadmau5, and Calvin Harris became some of the biggest names in music during this decade.

Another popular genre of the 2010s was hip hop. Hip hop had been around for a few decades by this point, but it really exploded in popularity in the 2010s. This was thanks in part to the rise of streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music, which made it easier for people to discover new hip hop artists. Some of the most popular hip hop artists of the 2010s include Kendrick Lamar, Drake, J. Cole, and Chance the Rapper.

The 2010s were also a big decade for pop music from Latin America. Artists like Shakira, Hector Lavoe , Selena Quintanilla , Luis Miguel , Gloria Estefan , Ricky Martin , Marc Anthony , Jenni Rivera , Cabas , Enrique Iglesias , Aventura , Romeo Santos , Ozuna , Bad Bunny rose to prominence and helped bring Latin American pop music to a global audience.

Finally, K-pop also began to gain traction outside of Asia in the 2010s. Groups like BTS and EXO became global sensations, with their catchy songs and innovative dance routines.

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