Rock Music
Rock is a genre of music that was originated in the United States in the late 1940s and became extremely popular throughout the years. Rock stars attract large crowds to stadiums and become idols for their fans. As a genre, rock is very diverse since there are many different subgenres such as punk-rock, roots rock, surf rock, and so on. However, some of the bands are more influential than others.
What kind of composers use this genre?
The list of best-selling rock artists includes such bands as “The Beatles”, “The Eagles”, Led Zeppelin”, and “Pink Floyd”. Concerning the composers, Frank Zappa, Bob Dylan, Tom Waits are included in the list of top rock composers in the world. Among the modern rock composers there are Nick Cave, Jonathan Richard Guy Greenwood, Damon Albarn, and others.
What do they use this music for?
Rock bands usually express the ideas of a protest against the system that is very attractive for young people (Toomistu, 2018). Rock lyrics often contain such images as alcohol, drugs, and violence. In society, such things are perceived negatively, and rock music aims to change the society, to cry out about the problems, and to challenge the existing rules. Nevertheless, rock music is not always aggressive, as many lyrics convey the concepts of love, peace, or are even dedicated to God. Some lyrics have a deep sense and contain a lot of metaphors, allusions, and vivid imagery.
What is this genre especially known for?
As a rule, rock bands use such instruments as electric guitar and drums, but they can also use synthesisers, pianos, and a wide range of other instruments.
Rock singers are especially known for their outrageous and shocking behavior. Their scenic image is a part of their life, and a stereotype rock singer drinks alcohol, uses drugs, and has thousands of adoring fans.
Any interesting facts about the composers who use this genre?
Sometimes musicians may act even more scandalously; for example, Ozzy Osbourne is famous for having bitten off a bat’s head. In the notorious The 27 Club, which includes celebrities who died at the age of 27, there are many rock stars, such as Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, and Kurt Cobain. Many of them died because of taking drugs or alcohol, or suicide. However, rock music is inspiring to people for its message of protesting against the rules, being an outlet for young people who are trying to find themselves.
Reference
Toomistu, T. (2018). Such a strange vibration: Rock music as the affective site of divergence among the Soviet Estonian nonconformist youth. Res Musica, 10, 11–27.