Hey y’all! 

Thanks for visiting my page. This is my concise and somewhat opinionated history of the genre that changed the world: rock n’ roll. 

This page only makes sense if you start from the bottom and scroll UP. So happy reading!

Rock n’ Roll, Baby

Overall, rock changed the world. Plain and simple. 

Without rock, there would be a lot less rebellion, freedom, and self-expression. It’s amazing that humans discovered such a way to express themselves. From Chuck Berry, to The Beatles, to Guns n’ Roses, all the way to Greta Van Fleet, rock has shaped entire generations and still continues to do so. 

It was the most important genre of music. It was different yet influential to almost all other types of music. It caused rebellion, love, hate, war, peace, divides, and uncommon unions all over the world. 

Thank you rock. Thank you John Lennon, thank you Biggie, thank you Jimi, thank you Janis, and thank all of you for being a part in the never ending movement to create art. Thanks for being immature, loud, and refusing to quit. Thanks for being inspirations for entire generations. Thanks for being a bonding point for an infinite number of people. Thanks for being you, rock. 

Thanks rock, you’re a good guy. 

We can’t forget about the rise of pop punk either! 

Heavily influenced by rock, the late 90′s and early 2000′s gave rise to this genre. They had the rocker look, sound, and attitudes. 

But what set bands like Blink-182 and My Chemical Romance apart from the rest was their angsty and poetic lyrics. They meshed well with those who are in touch with their emotional side. 

Lyrics in songs like The Black Parade and I’m Not Okay made people feel less weird. In other words, the brutal honesty and reality seen in this genre made others feel like they belonged somewhere. 

These bands still influence the relatively underground pop punk scene that still exists today. Bands like The Wonder Years and Neck Deep still have emotionally touching lyrics with beats that make you want to head-bang. 

Welp, I can’t just mention Dr. Dre and then not talk about him; and consequentially Snoop Dogg.  

The Doc’s rags to riches story is just one of America’s many success narratives about rising to glory through the use of music. His “I don’t give no shits” attitude helped get him to the top. He is one of the music industry’s best producers of all time. Because of him, Eminem is famous. 

And who could forget about Snoop? Dammit, he’s just fun to listen to. Him and Dre collaborating helped put an end to the East Coast / West Coast gangster wars; that and the Rodney King Riots. His relaxed, fun, free-flow style perfectly suited the West. Dre and Snoop are about being real, and sometimes being real shallow which is seen in songs like Ain’t No Fun (If the Homies Can’t Have None) and Fuck You. 

They provided the ignorance seen in rap today. Although Dre could get pretty real, such as when he made the bittersweet song The Message. Overall though, these guys are icons of the cool and tough image that comes along with being a real rapper. 

Silly me! 

How could I forget to mention N.W.A. (short for Niggaz Wit Attitudes). This group encapsulated the 90′s. Their discography went from ignorant, fun songs to more serious subjects. 

Police brutality towards African-Americans was (and sadly still is) a major theme of the 90′s. After experiencing so much of this first hand, the group decided to bring their issues to the mainstream. Songs like Fuck Tha Police and Express Yourself portrayed the struggles, triumphs, and music that went along with living in the ghetto. The most successful artist, Dr. Dre, often used classic rock or even old orchestral instrumentals in his music. This added a sense of refined power to their sound.

These guys were icons for a young culture demanding civil justice. Their notes struck a chord with races all across America. Although it may not look or sound like it, these guys were quite mature and intelligent when it came to the spread of equality. Their bravery, ignorance, and songs still inspire entire generations. 

Grunge and Heroin

Along with the grunge scene came a rising popularity in the use and culture of heroin. In my opinion, this drug is one of those narcotics that’s hard to ever come back from. 

Heroin creates an intense pleasure within one’s mind and body. It tells people that everything is ok. That is probably why tormented minds like Kurt Cobain’s and Chris Cornell turned to the soothing lies of the drug. 

Addiction and pain were common themes of the grunge era. Heroin has caused the death of so many amazing artists. It is believed that Cobain’s heroin addiction is one of the reasons he committed suicide violently by shotgun. But there’s also convincing theories that it was his wife, Courtney Love, that murdered him for his royalties. Definitely worth the google. 

Another 90′s staple

While we’re in the 90′s we cannot possibly skip the grunge era that partly defined the decade. 

Influenced heavily by rock, grunge became this meaner, heavier version of the genre. Heavy metal guitars, pounding drums, mosh pits, and plaid epitomized this sound. Bands like Nirvana and early Weezer contributed to the outlet for angst that so many young adults face.

Out of this genre came huge hits such as Smells Like Teen Spirit, Lithium, and My Name is Jonas. These songs are still smash hits that help angsty teens unleash their rage. Back when these bands were new, they created another, more modern rift between the older and younger generations.

 Weezer still performs today and they are spectacular to see live!

BIGGIE.

This 6′ 2,” 375 pound rapper’s style was a core theme of the East during the 90′s. Notorious B.I.G. (Christopher Wallace) came in angry and ready to spit. He came in and changed the game of hip hop forever. 

Biggie was fun, serious, and real. He had his joyful hits like Hypnotize, his rhymes about a tough life on the streets can be found in Everyday Struggle, and his vulnerability becomes apparent with his struggle with depression seen in Suicidal Thoughts. 

Biggie and 2Pac went at each other due to being on opposite sides of the West/East war that raged throughout the 90′s. Unfortunately, both rappers were murdered mysterious circumstances. Many think corrupt producer Suge Knight was involved. I guess we’ll never really know. 

Oh, we talkin’ hip hop? 

Hip Hop stormed the 90′s era and became an outlet for the African-American community. Hip Hop is the combination of these Four Pillars: DJying, MCing, B-boying, and Graffiti. Hip Hop is a culture within itself. It had a lot of influences from the rock world and made its own era while still keeping some of the same basic message: love, peace, and justice. And, if you’re a Snoop Dogg or Dre fan, then it’s also about that chronic and hoes. 

 And of course we have to talk about Tupac. Tupac was the rival of who is widely considered the greatest rapper of all time. Tupac was the Westcoast in the West v East gang conflicts that polluted the 90′s. His flow was more relaxed as well as philosophical. He aided in the popularity of the “relax, smoke, and chill” genre of rap. 

Oh and here’s me and my two best friends performing in our Beastie Boys cover band - “The Meat Boys.” We rocked it. 

I’ll email concert footage for extra credit :) 

Ok, that was dark...

So let’s talk about the Beastie Boys. This group of Jewish rappers is a staple of the 90′s. They hit the scene with a new sound. They merged their early punk work with in-your-face hip hop. These guys were fun, energetic, catchy, and rare. I mean, three white, Jewish rappers hitting world star levels of fame? Who woulda thought. 

They have anthems such as Fight For Your Right to Party, No Sleep ‘Till Brooklyn, and Brass Monkey. Their rebellious and metallic rifts brought together two genres not usually combined. These guys were inspirations for the minority in the hip hop world and their music is still played by millions. 

Drugs and Rock

Well they don’t say “sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll”for nothing. Odds are, if you became a musician that you would get drugs waved in your face. People will say “Hey want it for free?” because you’re the cool musician everyone wants to be associated with. 

From alcohol, to weed, to cocaine, to heroin, drugs are evident in many musicians as well an infinite number of songs. The Beatles Got To Get You into My Life is in reference to ganja and Velvet Underground’s much-less-inconspicuous Heroin deals brutally and honestly with the drawbacks of addiction. Drugs have ruined and taken the lives of too many in the music industry including Jimi Hendrix, Angus Young, Whitney Houston, and way too many more. 

The drugs are not going to stop being pushed. It helps if artists surround themselves with true friends, which you should only be able to count on one hand. It also helps to just have some self-control. The new film The Dirt chronicles Motley Crue’s rise and is an accurate depiction of the hefty amount of drugs there are in music. It also has a great scene about a day in the life of a rocker, one that starts at 5 PM and ends at 4 AM. 

Rock and Plane Crashes

Have you ever pieced together that so many early musicians died in plane crashes? Other than the day the music died, Otis Redding (whose plane you can still see in Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame), Jim Croce, Ronnie Van Zant and Stevie Gaines of Skynyrd, John Denver, Stevie Ray Vaughn (helicopter), and Randy Rhodes of Quiet Riot. 

It’s actually disturbing how many major stars died by plane crash. I would assume it’s because they were traveling by airplane, on small metal jets, every other night to stay on schedule. Another reminder of what it takes to rock. To really rock. It’s a hustle, it’s grimy, and it’s dark; *see AC/DC’s It's a Long Way to the Top.” But these people faced harm in so many forms: early plane travel, drugs being like candy, over-exhaustion, and angry wives. Can’t forget about the angry wives. 

Also Jim Croce is an A1 guitarist and folk-rock singer. His songs will change your life, trust me. 

I would be remiss... 

To skip over this hit single that encompassed rock n’ roll well. Don McLean’s smash hit describes the day the music died. That is, the day that Buddy Holly’s plane went down along with The Big Popper (J.P Richardson) and Ritchie Valens. 

This was just one of rock’s many tragedies. From concerts, to drugs, to crashes, death has always been an eminent figure amongst rockers. 

And while we’re talking about great guitarists…

Johnny Cash is a sort of Bob Dylan counterpart. Cash is an excellent guitarist that became famous for his folk-rock. And, he’s cool as hell. But, just like Dylan, Cash moved from folk and became more of a rocker as well. His tracks carried put weight in the soul. He implemented sadness and honesty in his music and that resonated well with fans. Can anyone keep a dry eye to his version of Hurt? 

Cash was one of those artists that brought a manly vulnerability into the rock n’ roll game. But he also had all-rock hits like Folsom Prison Blues and Ring of Fire. Cash is just one of those cool artists that became famous for being a good, real person. That’s the true spirit of rock n’ roll.

A survivor of rock 

Eric Clapton is an example of how the rock n’ roll lifestyle can be dangerous. Every fan knows his story of his struggle with addiction and the horrendous loss of his son; of which after he wrote and performed Tears in Heaven, which will bring a tear to any parent’s eyes. Clapton was a heartthrob with songs like Wonderful Tonight, he even supposedly stole George Harrison’s wife with the song Layla and a guitar duel with George. George would eventually play the music for the couple’s wedding, what a guy. He was a rocker with hits like Cocaine and Bell Bottom Blues. 

Clapton, to me, is the best living guitarist right now. Everyone has been and is always rooting for him. He showed vulnerability in his music, which is a rarity in rock. He was honest with his lyrics and chords and it struck a caring audience. Clapton always reminds us that there is a soul in music. 

Take It Easy

In my opinion, The Eagles are not talked about enough. You can go through their discography and you’ll find yourself saying “Oh, I know that one, and that one, and that one...” This guitar dependent country-rock band brought in relaxing and thoughtful rhythms to rock. 

Hits like Take It Easy, Already Gone, and Midnight Flyer might make a listener forget that they created timeless tear-jerkers like Best of My Love, Desperado (ugh, I’m gonna cry), and Doolin-Dalton. Check the Doolin-Dalton/Desperado remix for extra points! These guys left a feeling of comfort and acceptance of lack of control that has been felt by every listener regardless of the era.