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The Birth and Rise of Jazz
Jazz music emerged in New Orleans, blending African-American musical traditions with blues and ragtime. Artists like Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington brought jazz to national and international audiences. -
Premiere of Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring
The ballet The Rite of Spring by Igor Stravinsky premiered in Paris and shocked audiences with its dissonant music and unconventional choreography. The performance caused a riot and marked a turning point in modern classical music. -
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Bebop and Cool Jazz Era
During this period, jazz evolved into more complex styles like bebop, led by Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. Cool jazz, a more relaxed style, was also popularized by musicians such as Miles Davis. -
Elvis Presley releases “Heartbreak Hotel”
This song became Elvis Presley’s first number-one hit and is often considered the beginning of mainstream rock and roll. It transformed the music industry and launched Elvis into superstardom. -
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The Rock Revolution and Psychedelia
This era saw an explosion of rock music, with bands like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Jimi Hendrix. Psychedelic rock also flourished, reflecting the social changes and experimentation of the time. -
Woodstock Music & Art Festival
The Woodstock Festival was held in New York and became one of the most iconic music events in history. It symbolized peace, love, and the power of music during the counterculture era of the 1960s. -
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The Digital Age: Hip-Hop and Electronic Music
Hip-hop emerged from the streets of New York in the late 1970s and became a dominant genre by the 1980s and 90s, with artists like Run-D.M.C. and Tupac. At the same time, electronic music grew in popularity in dance clubs, especially in Europe. -
Release of Michael Jackson’s Thriller
Michael Jackson’s Thriller album was released and became a global phenomenon. It revolutionized pop music, music videos, and set a record for the best-selling album of all time.