Popular Music in the United States

Rock and Roll

Jan 1, 1955

Rock and Roll had it's first chart topping song from Bill Haley in 1955, followed by Elvis Presley in 1956. http://www.rockmusictimeline.com/1950s.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9BLw4W5KU8

Beatlemania and the British Invasion

Jan 25, 1964

The Beatles song "I Want to Hold Your Hand" jumps to number one, igniting the phenomenon known as Beatlemania in the United States. http://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2014/05/1964-beatlemania/100745/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jenWdylTtzs

Birth of Hip Hop

Jan 1, 1973

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/hip-hop-is-born-at-a-birthday-party-in-the-bronx https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmvLxUxSye0

Michael Jackson - Thriller

Nov 30, 1982

Michael Jackson releases Thriller, which will go on to become the best selling album of all time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOnqjkJTMaA http://www.michaeljackson.com

Madonna

Jan 1, 1983

Madonna released her self-titled debut album. Madonna would be an influential and ground breaking artist in popular music. https://squaremadonna.com/2012/05/12/the-madonnas-impact-in-the-music-industry/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iu_nlPaI_0E

Boy Bands

Jan 1, 1992

Two of the most popular and influential boy groups are formed: Blackstreet and The Backstreet Boys. https://www.buzzfeed.com/mrloganrhoades/the-top-25-boy-bands-of-all-time?utm_term=.awaDWnRxJ#.weowW8dp2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KL9mRus19o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fndeDfaWCg

The first American Idol champion is crowned

Sep 4, 2002

http://www.americanidol.com Kelly Clarkson becomes the first winner of American Idol. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhfE3XcKf2E