Rock ’n’ Roll Music Guide: 4 Characteristics of Rock ’n’ Roll

Rock ’n’ roll is a popular music genre that combines elements of rhythm and blues (R&B), jazz, and country music with the addition of electric instruments. Originally associated with youth revolt and transgression, the genre is known for energetic performances, catchy melodies, and often insightful lyrics.

From its early days as a new music genre in the late 1940s and early 1950s to its present iterations, rock ’n’ roll is constantly changing and evolving.

• Roots in blues, gospel, and country: Some of the earliest rock musicians had a background in gospel music—such as Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Little Richard. Others, such as Fats Domino, cut their chops on blues music. These artists, who debuted in the late 1940s and early 1950s, did not necessarily think of themselves as rock musicians, but contemporary music historians now agree they established the roots of rock music.
• Rock ’n’ roll the label: Disc jockey Alan Freed used the phrases "rock ’n’ roll" and "rockin’" on his radio show based in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1951. Music historians speculate he may have been paraphrasing the lyric, "I rock 'em, roll 'em all night long," from the R&B song "Sixty Minute Man" by Billy Ward and His Dominoes. On account of Freed's program, Cleveland has declared itself the birthplace of early rock music, and today it houses the Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.
• Rise in rock ’n’ roll’s popularity: One of the first rock stars was guitar pioneer Chuck Berry. Artists like Little Richard, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bo Diddley, Buddy Holly, and Ritchie Valens also helped shape the fledgling music genre.
• British invasion: Early rock 'n' roll emanated from American cities like Memphis, Chicago, New Orleans, and St. Louis. It quickly caught the ear of young British musicians, who in turn brought the genre to new heights. The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Dave Clark Five, and the Kinks were among the English groups that gained popularity with rock audiences on both sides of the Atlantic.
• Local scenes: As rock music surged in popularity in the 1960s and 1970s, localized scenes began to spring up. Cities renowned for their rock music scenes include Memphis, New York, Los Angeles, London, Birmingham, and Dublin. Indie rock, which tends to be more localized, has thrived in cities like Athens, Georgia; Chapel Hill, North Carolina; and Tucson, Arizona. Some of these scenes revolved around a music studio (like Sam Phillips' Sun Studios in Memphis) or a record label (like Dischord Records in Washington, DC).
• Expanding subgenres: Rock ’n’ roll music has branched out considerably from its early days. Today's rock scene encompasses a wide array of subgenres, including classic rock, glam rock, punk rock, synth-pop, progressive rock, alternative rock, indie rock, ska, rap-rock, funk rock, math rock, and post-rock.

Rock music is highly eclectic with varying characteristics across its many subgenres, but there are a few consistent traits.

1. 1. Energy: Compared to earlier forms of popular music like big band and show-tune standards, rock music offers surging, propulsive energy. As a result, early rock ’n’ roll appealed heavily to teenagers.
2. 2. Propulsive rhythms: Most rock music is written in the 4/4 time signature, although some rock classics have been penned in triple meter like 3/4 and 12/8. Rock tempos vary immensely, but many rockers favor a range of 100 to 140 beats per minute.
3. 3. Electric instruments and drum kits: Most rock bands are anchored around an electric guitar, electric bass, and drum kit. Some bands have keyboard players, and many rock guitarists double on acoustic guitar, but the core of the band tends to be electric (and often quite loud). Virtuoso rock musicians include guitarist Jimi Hendrix, drummer Neal Peart, bassist John Entwistle, and keyboardist Keith Emerson.
4. 4. A wide array of lyrical subjects: Compared to the blues, country, folk, big band, and swing music that preceded it, rock music allows for a vast range of lyrical content. Some rockers—including Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Morrissey, and Jeff Tweedy—have written lyrics considered to be in league with fine poetry.

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