Classic Rock

A brief history of Classic Rock

Classic Rock is a genre that has a long and intriguing history. This genre emerged during the 1960s and 70s, and its influence can still be seen in modern music today.

The term “classic rock” was originally coined in the 1980s by radio stations that wanted to refer to the music of the 60s and 70s as distinct from the newer rock music that was coming out at the time. However, the roots of classic rock go back much further – to the 1950s and early 60s, when rock and roll was just starting to take off.

One of the earliest and most influential bands in the history of classic rock was The Beatles. This Liverpool-based group formed in 1960 and quickly became a sensation both in their native England and in the United States. With their catchy melodies, thoughtful lyrics, and innovative production techniques, The Beatles became one of the most beloved and influential bands of all time – and helped to define the sound of classic rock.

Another important band in the history of classic rock was The Rolling Stones. This London-based group formed in 1962 and quickly gained a reputation for their gritty, edgy sound and rebellious attitude. The Rolling Stones were known for their hard-hitting rhythms, bluesy guitar licks, and Mick Jagger’s charismatic stage presence. Together with The Beatles, The Rolling Stones helped to establish the classic rock sound – a melodic, guitar-driven style that emphasized catchy hooks, memorable riffs, and powerful, anthemic choruses.

Other important bands in the history of classic rock include Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Who, and Black Sabbath. These groups produced some of the most iconic and influential music of the 60s and 70s and helped to shape the sound and style of classic rock.

Led Zeppelin, for example, was known for their heavy, bluesy sound and sprawling, epic song structures. Pink Floyd created a unique blend of psychedelic rock, spacey sound effects, and introspective lyrics that explored themes of alienation, isolation, and existential angst. The Who were known for their explosive live performances and classic rock anthems like “My Generation” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again”. And Black Sabbath was widely regarded as the fathers of heavy metal, producing some of the darkest, heaviest, and most intense music of the era.

In addition to these iconic bands, classic rock also embraced a wide range of other musical styles and sub-genres, from country rock and folk rock to hard rock and progressive rock. The records produced during this era are characterized by their intricate arrangements, soaring guitar solos, and memorable melodies – all of which helped to make classic rock one of the most enduring and beloved genres in the history of popular music.

Notable Classic Rock artists

Led Zeppelin: Led Zeppelin was a classic rock band from London, England. They formed in 1968 and were active until 1980. The band consisted of Robert Plant (vocals), Jimmy Page (guitar), John Paul Jones (bass), and John Bonham (drums). Led Zeppelin is known for their heavy and bluesy sound, and their influence on the genre is still felt today.

Pink Floyd: Pink Floyd was a British rock band that formed in 1965. The band was led by the iconic singer and guitarist David Gilmour and bassist Roger Waters. Pink Floyd’s music was characterized by their psychedelic sound and concept albums, such as The Wall and Dark Side of the Moon.

The Who: The Who is an English rock band that formed in 1964. The band is composed of singer Roger Daltrey, guitarist Pete Townshend, bassist John Entwistle, and drummer Keith Moon (replaced by Kenney Jones after his passing). The Who is known for their energetic live performances and their innovative sound, which combined rock and roll with elements of classical music.

The Rolling Stones: The Rolling Stones is a British rock band that formed in 1962. The band is composed of Mick Jagger (vocals), Keith Richards (guitar), Charlie Watts (drums), and Ronnie Wood (guitar). The Rolling Stones is known for their bluesy sound and their longevity as a band, still touring today.

The Beatles: The Beatles are a legendary British rock band that formed in 1960. The band is composed of John Lennon (vocals/guitar), Paul McCartney (vocals/bass), George Harrison (guitar), and Ringo Starr (drums). The Beatles are known for their catchy pop melodies and their influence on popular music.

Queen: Queen is a British rock band that formed in 1970. The band is composed of Freddie Mercury (vocals), Brian May (guitar), John Deacon (bass), and Roger Taylor (drums). Queen’s music is known for its theatrical and grandiose sound, with hits like “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “We Will Rock You.”

AC/DC: AC/DC is an Australian rock band that formed in 1973. The band is composed of Angus Young (guitar), Brian Johnson (vocals), Phil Rudd (drums), and Cliff Williams (bass). AC/DC is known for their high-energy, riff-heavy sound and hits like “Back in Black” and “Highway to Hell.”

Aerosmith: Aerosmith is an American rock band that formed in 1970. The band is composed of Steven Tyler (vocals), Joe Perry (guitar), Tom Hamilton (bass), Joey Kramer (drums), and Brad Whitford (guitar). Aerosmith is known for their bluesy sound and hits like “Dream On” and “Walk This Way.”

Black Sabbath: Black Sabbath is an English rock band that formed in 1968. The band is composed of Ozzy Osbourne (vocals), Tony Iommi (guitar), Geezer Butler (bass), and Bill Ward (drums). Black Sabbath is known for their heavy and dark sound, and are often credited with inventing the heavy metal genre.

Jimi Hendrix: Jimi Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer who rose to fame in the late 1960s. Hendrix is known for his innovative and experimental guitar playing, as well as his hits like “Purple Haze” and “Hey Joe.” His music has influenced countless musicians in the classic rock and beyond.

25 Classic Rock records you should hear

1. Led Zeppelin IV (Led Zeppelin)
2. The Beatles (The Beatles)
3. Rumours (Fleetwood Mac)
4. Sticky Fingers (The Rolling Stones)
5. Who’s Next (The Who)
6. Physical Graffiti (Led Zeppelin)
7. Hotel California (The Eagles)
8. Dark Side of the Moon (Pink Floyd)
9. Van Halen (Van Halen)
10. Back in Black (AC/DC)
11. Boston (Boston)
12. A Night at the Opera (Queen)
13. Toys in the Attic (Aerosmith)
14. Morrison Hotel (The Doors)
15. Paranoid (Black Sabbath)
16. Quadrophenia (The Who)
17. Machine Head (Deep Purple)
18. Houses of the Holy (Led Zeppelin)
19. Rocks (Aerosmith)
20. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (Elton John)
21. Abbey Road (The Beatles)
22. Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy (Elton John)
23. Bat Out of Hell (Meat Loaf)
24. The Wall (Pink Floyd)
25. Born to Run (Bruce Springsteen)

Classic Rock and the charts

Over the years, Classic Rock music has seen extraordinary success on the charts. One of the significant moments in the history of Classic Rock was when the Beatles dominated the charts by holding the number one spot for 34 weeks in 1964, with their hit songs “She Loves You,” “A Hard Day’s Night,” “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” and “Can’t Buy Me Love.”

Another record-breaking feat of Classic Rock can be traced to Pink Floyd, as their album The Dark Side of the Moon spent a record-breaking 741 weeks on the Billboard 200 chart during its original run and has sold over 45 million copies worldwide. The album’s success can be attributed to its impeccable songwriting, captivating lyrics, and powerful instrumental performances.

Led Zeppelin has also had a consistent presence on the charts, with their fourth studio album, Led Zeppelin IV, achieving multi-platinum status and being certified three times platinum in the US. The album’s signature tracks, including “Stairway to Heaven” and “Black Dog,” remain anthems of Classic Rock music.

Many other Classic Rock bands have made monumental achievements on the charts, including the Rolling Stones, AC/DC, and Guns N’ Roses. The Rolling Stones have had eight number one hits on the Billboard Hot 100, with “Satisfaction” being one of their most notable tracks. AC/DC’s “Back in Black” album, released in 1980, has sold over fifty million copies worldwide, making it the second-best-selling album of all time behind Michael Jackson’s Thriller. Guns N’ Roses’ debut album, Appetite for Destruction, continues to sell well to this day, with over 30 million copies sold globally.

One of the most iconic performances of Classic Rock music on the charts can be traced back to Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Upon its release in 1975, “Bohemian Rhapsody” spent nine weeks at number one on the UK Singles Chart and continues to be one of the most beloved songs in Classic Rock music. Its significance is highlighted by the fact that it has re-entered the charts multiple times, with its most recent resurgence being fueled by the success of the biopic of the same name, released in 2018.

What people have said about Classic Rock

In “What’s That Sound? An Introduction to Rock and Its History” by John Covach and Andrew Flory, the authors provide a comprehensive view of rock music’s evolution, including classic rock. They argue that classic rock is more than just a genre but a cultural phenomenon that helped shape American youth culture. They write, “Classic rock is a way of understanding the past, as well as articulating the present and future.” The book also introduces key figures in classic rock such as The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and Pink Floyd, and analyzes their music’s significant impact.

Another influential book is “The Rolling Stone Illustrated History of Rock & Roll: The Definitive History of the Most Important Artists and Their Music” edited by Jann Wenner. The book includes a chapter on classic rock and delves into its roots in the blues and country music. It also looks at the political and cultural significance of the music, with notable quotes from various artists. Janis Joplin is quoted as saying, “Rock ’n’ roll was the first music that really shook people up and caused the establishment to say, ‘We must control this because it leads to things like teenagers dancing in the streets, and people voting, and women asking for birth control.’” This quote shows how classic rock music transcends entertainment and how it paved the way for societal changes.

A more personal exploration of classic rock can be found in “Listen to the Echoes: The Ray Bradbury Interviews” by Sam Weller. This book includes interviews with prolific author Ray Bradbury, who often used music as inspiration for his writing. Bradbury speaks about the emotional resonance of classic rock, saying, “Rock and roll music has the power to move people in ways that are beyond rational explanation. It speaks directly to the soul.” He cites the Beatles and Elvis Presley as some of the most significant artists in the genre and talks about how their music helped him to overcome writer’s block.

Many classic rock artists have also shared profound thoughts about the genre that they helped create and shape. John Lennon famously stated, “Rock and roll is the most brutal, ugly, desperate, vicious form of expression it has been my misfortune to hear.” This quote illustrates the intense emotion and rawness that are characteristic of classic rock music. Jimi Hendrix also spoke about classic rock’s transformative power, saying, “Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy.” This sentiment highlights how classic rock music can inspire people in profound ways, making it more than just a type of music.

Classic Rock in context

One significant external condition that helped to bring Classic Rock into existence was the political and social upheavals of the 1960s. The Civil Rights Movement, Vietnam War, and the counterculture movement all played a part in shaping the music of the time. Musicians such as Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, and Bob Dylan used their music as a platform to express their political views and challenge the status quo.

In addition to the political movements, the cultural changes in the 1960s contributed to the emergence of Classic Rock. This was the era of free love, hippies, and psychedelic music that broke the boundaries of traditional song structures and experimented with different sounds. The times were ripe for a new genre that would satiate the desires of the youth.

The emergence of FM radio was also crucial in promoting Classic Rock. The introduction of stereo broadcasting allowed for a more diverse mix of music to be played, and the elimination of commercial interruptions allowed for longer and more complex songs to be aired. DJs such as John Peel and Alan Freed were instrumental in promoting the genre, bringing it to the masses and helping to create a fervent following.

Record labels played a significant role in establishing and promoting Classic Rock. Atlantic Records was one of the pioneers of the genre and signed artists such as Led Zeppelin and Yes. The label helped to define the sound of Classic Rock by releasing albums that went beyond traditional songwriting structures and experimented with different sounds and instruments.

Another notable figure in the Classic Rock scene was Rolling Stone magazine founder Jann Wenner. The publication became a bible for the genre, offering in-depth interviews, reviews, and insights into the artists and their music. The music press played a vital role in building the genre by providing an authoritative voice on the emerging sound and its artists.

The technology of the time also played a crucial role in the development of Classic Rock. As recording equipment became more accessible, producers could experiment with different sounds and effects to create the distinctive sound associated with the genre. The introduction of new instruments such as the Moog synthesizer and the Mellotron also helped to create a more diverse and experimental sound.

If you like Classic Rock you may like..

Blues Rock: Combining the structure of traditional blues with the instrumentation and energy of rock and roll.

Hard Rock: Heavy, loud and aggressive rock music, often characterized by distorted guitar riffs and powerful vocals.

Southern Rock: Drawing from country music, blues and rock and roll, Southern rock is a genre incorporating elements of the southern United States.

Progressive Rock: Characterized by complex song structures, unusual time signatures and extensive use of instrumentation.

Heavy Metal: Loud and aggressive music, featuring distorted guitar riffs, powerful vocals and often dark, intense themes.