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Although Robert Johnson only recorded 29 songs in his short life, his style of Delta blues would go on to greatly influence not only other blues musicians, but rock & rollers such as The Doors, Cream, & Jimi Hendrix.
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Les Paul both pioneered the "overdubbing" technique (layering multiple recording tracks on top of each other) & created the solid body electric guitar.
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RCA Victor begins producing the 7-inch 45 rpm single which helps to make vinyl records even more popular in the United States & will play a key role in the spread of both Rock & Roll & the 3-minute song.
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Although he was a country singer, Hank Williams' songwriting & storytelling styles came to become the prototypes for many rock songs. Williams' said, "a song ain't nothin' in the world but a story just wrote with music to it."
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Chuck Berry recorded "Maybellene" which came to be regarded as one of the first, true Rock & Roll songs. It was a hit both with black & white audiences. Berry would have a huge influence on many British Invasion groups.
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Berry Gordy founded Motown Records in Detroit. Instead of producing cars, his "factory" produced hits for the Temptations, the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, & the Jackson Five. Gordy's artists were "polished & choreographed."
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73 million people tune into The Ed Sullivan Show to watch the first U.S. performance by The Beatles. This kicks off Beatlemania & the British Invasion which includes such bands as the Rolling Stones, the Kinks, & the Who.
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Woodstock, "3 Days of Peace & Music" was one of the first events to combine music with social & political issues. It attracted half a million concertgoers. Acts included Richie Havens, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, & Crosby, Stills & Nash.
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MTV kicks off the next generation of Rock & Roll with the video for the Buggles' "Video Killed the Radio Star." The new medium of the music video gives musicians a new outlet to display their creativity & helps to popularize new music genres such as hip hop, rap, & alternative rock.
