The 20th century was marked by a lot of innovation, cultural, technological, and societal. It was the era when the film industry got off the ground and developed into one of the biggest entertainment markets in the world. The era of television sets, computers, and mobile phones. But, of course, music fans know the 20th century as the era that popular music came to the forefront.
Some of the biggest names in music got their start in the 20th century. A plethora of iconic songs and melodies that we still remember today were first written and released between the 50s and 00s. In this article, we would like to go over the most notable names in music, that built their career in the previous century.
The King Himself
How can we speak about a list of 20th century musicians without bringing up Elvis Presley, the King of Rock’n’Roll. Born in Mississippi, and raised in Tennessee, Presley was steeped in the southern blues and country music of the American south. With a talent for performing, Elvis took the two genres and blended them together, coming up with something wholly new.
While not much of a songwriter or a musician, the King had a knack for performance and dancing. In fact, his dancing was so iconic, that people still perform “the Elvis” to this day. But, his moves on the dance floor are not the only thing iconic about the man. There is also the matter of his songs.
Elvis Presley sang a plethora of songs that we still know and love to this day. Rock Around the Clock is an ode to the genre that he helped build. Blue Suede Shoes is perhaps his most iconic song of all. And of course Viva Las Vegas is a staple of any film featuring Las Vegas. And while a lot of people today prefer to game at an online casino, many still wish to hear Presley’s iconic song in a land-based establishment.
The Blues Greats
Before Elvis and rock’n’roll, there was the blues. Many view the blues as the genre that started American popular music. The genre itself developed during the American Civil War, and was hugely influenced by the musical traditions of the African slaves. So, it is no surprise at all that the first blues greats were African-Americans.
Perhaps the most iconic blues musician we still remember today is Robert Johnson. A figure steeped in folklore and myth, the story goes that Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil in exchange for music talent. A reputation that the young man cultivated with songs such as Me and the Devil Blues and Hellhounds on My Trail.
Another legend of blues is Howlin’ Wolf, whose signature “howl” served as a huge inspiration on the heavier aspects of rock music, from hard rock to metal. A pioneer in Chicago blues, Howlin’ Wolf remains a legend, with famous songs like Smokestack Lightning and Back Door Man. Apart from these two, other significant names in the blues include:
- Muddy Waters
- John Lee Hooker
- Buddy Guy
- B. King
- Albert King
The name of the genre comes from the expression “blue devils,” which often refers to the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Over time, the expression developed to mean simply sad or forlorn. Today, we often say “feeling blue,” when we are not feeling out best. Thankfully, in the 21st century, we can easily beat the blues, as we have the internet at our fingertips.
The British Invasion Bands
The 1960s saw a slew of British musicians and bands flood American recording studios. They represented new ideas, new styles of music, and brought an overall “countercultural attitude” to the American music industry. The amount of British influence in American music during this era was such that the period is often referred to as “the British Invasion.”
Some of the bands to come out of the British Invasion are still regarded as the greatest of all time. For example, we can’t talk about influence on rock, or music in general, without bringing up the Beatles. From bubblegum pop, to blues rock, to psychedelia, and even hard rock, the Beatles did it all. Their incredibly iconic songs covered a vast number of themes, from enjoying the day, to struggling with sorrow, to esoteric songs the meaning of which is debated to this day.
But, the Beatles are not the only hugely influential rock band of the era. The Rolling Stones played a huge role in building the image and overall attitude of rock’n’roll for years to come. And they brought a lot of musical talent to the table as well. While not as diverse as the Beatles, the Rolling Stones have their own iconic songs, such as Symphony for the Devil and Wild Horses, which we still remember today.
While the Beatles and the Rolling Stones are by far the most iconic, they are not the only ones worth discussing. The British Invasion produced quite a lot of bands whose influence cannot go understated. Among them are icons like The Who, The Yardbirds, the Zombies, and solo artists like Tom Jones.
The Rap Greats
Thus far, we only discussed rock and roll, and its influences. However, the 20th century was also the era that gave us the genre which is most popular today, Hip Hop (or Rap). The music genre developed in the Bronx during the 1970s, and was hugely influenced by African American culture and musical tradition. However, it wouldn’t be until the 80s and 90s that the music truly attained popularity.
It was rap duos and groups like Eric B. & Rakim, N.W.A., and Public Enemy that pushed rap to the forefront of popular culture. With socially conscious songs, incredible lyricism, and a clear understanding of music and its history, these groups managed to create something that transcends the genre. Their popularity, naturally, inspired plenty of other rappers, who went on to further revolutionize hip hop.
In the 1990s, some of the greatest rappers that most know today came to the forefront. Most iconic among them are of course the 2pac and Biggie Smalls. Though rivals in their day, they both went down in history as two of the G.O.A.T.s.
