The Impact of Rock Music

The term 'rock music' is loosely defined as a genre of music that entered the popular music world during the mid to late 1950's. The basic sounds of rock music orginate from the sounds of the electric and acoustic guitar, with a strong backing of bass guitar and drums.

The early 1950's saw the new wave of 'rock and roll' hit the music scene; artists such as Bill Haley and Chuck Berry stole this era in music. To now in 2009 we see rock music mixed with electronic sounds; MGMT is an example of an electronic rock band.

Although what kind of impact has rock music in general made upon its audience to date? Rolling Stone magazine describes the impact as being, "unique and dominating..." but really has rock music impacted the way some of us live? Has it impacted our emotions and our moods? Has it helped us through tough and terrible situations? Yes, I strongly believe that it has.

Silverchair are an essentially rock based group of musicians, they released their album "Neon Ballroom" in 1999, encased was the hit single, "Anthem for the year 2000;" This song was a perfect depiction of the youthful energy that rock music can bring oneself. The impact on popular music was huge, the song soared to number three on the music charts and it became a type of anthem for rock grunge lovers of the 20th Century.

The impact of rock music has written one of the biggest chapters in the history of music in our time. Rock music has brought us the concept of music festivals such as "Woodstock." We now can watch on DVD concerts and festivals such as "The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus" and see how rock music shaped a mass culture. This particular DVD is interesting in that it depicts the impact of rock music in a character form. We see Mick Jagger dressed as the circus master and a whole audience dressed in "tents" dancing non stop to the sounds of Jethro Tull and The Rolling Stones. The impact of the rockin' 60's I believe is one of the most influential in music history to date.

One of the biggest impacts in rock music is in none other the less Aaron Elvis Presely. In the interesting book entitled "The story of Rock" Buddy Holly quotes, "if it wasn't for Elvis we wouldn't be doing what we do today." Elvis Presely allowed a type of rebellion to come through in his music which has today, defined in stone the elements of rock music. The impact of rock music has clearly been a cultural and social one. It has given its audience members a clear idea of how great and influential this genre of music can and has been.