Rock and Roll: Its History and Stylistic Development

This interesting book presents a history of rock and roll from its roots through its current trends. It gives a comprehensive analytical insight into the various musical styles of rock, providing thorough historical detail and discussing the social context of each style as it developed, from the early 1950s through the 60s, 70s, 80s, and today. Giving comprehensive historical detail and social context, this book places special emphasis on rock as a musical style, dealing with each parameter of music (rhythm, harmony, melody, form, and texture) as it applies to rock music. It covers such topics as the roots of rock, rock and roll as an emerging force, the Fifties, the Sixties, the Beatles, the British Invasion, folk music and folk rock, soul and Motown, San Francisco, jazz and art rock, the Seventies, the Eighties, and recent trends and developments. For anyone interested in a comprehensive book about the history of rock and roll, including those in the music industry, such as disc jockeys, rock music writers, and promoters.

Offering an unparalleled combination, this book provides both a historical survey of rock from its evolution in the mid1950s to the 21st century and introduces the elements of music exclusively through rock and roll. Rock and Roll addresses a multitude of rock variations amid a bewildering array of styles. From soft rock to heavy metal to country rock, each style is acutely analyzed with equal emphasis and an objective point of view.

The Beatles, Elvis Presley, the Rolling Stones, the Grateful Dead, and Chicago are only a few of the many great rock artists who are featured in order to exemplify stylistic characteristics throughout the book. Biographical information and in-depth examinations of their blockbuster hits are also highlighted.

The Fourth Edition contains an entirely new chapter of recent developments in rock history, from the return of classic rock acts, through alternative styles including rap, new jack swing, post-punk hardcore, thrash metal, and grunge. There are also useful updates of earlier chapters, the Discography, and the Bibliography.

• OVERVIEWS succinctly discuss the principal topic of each section, for example: historical trends, social interrelationships, and the extramusical environment.
• MUSICAL CLOSE-UPS conclude each chapter and spotlight the technical musical elements, including instrumentation in rock, 12-bar blues, and rhythm in early rock.
• A FOUR-DECADE ROCK HISTORY review offers eight basic statements and an editorial reflecting the authors` subjective judgments on the status and future of rock and roll.
• NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS help you to understand the musical components of various styles.