-
Cowboy Music
It was originally handed down from the genuine Old West articles, and its songs were sung on the open range to pass the time on cattle drives. Later, it became popular in U.S. films during the 1930s to 1940s. Notable artists: Johnny Cash, Slim Whitman
Listen to Cowboy Music -
Jingle Bells Song
Jingle Bells was written by James Pierpont and is one of the best known American songs in the world. It led to many different cover songs of it, including a hit by Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters in 1943.
Listen to the original song -
Gospel Music
Starting as far back as the 1870s, Gospel is a genre of Christian music usually with dominant vocals, often with strong use of harmony. It can be traced to the early 17th century. Notable artists: Fred Hammond, CeCe Winans
Listen to Early African American spiritual gospel choir music -
Phonograph Invented
Thomas Edison invented the phonograph by being the first to make a working model of it and getting it patented. He had a cylinder that rotated and was covered with tin foil. The recording was done by having a voice-cone capture sounds that caused a stylus to vibrate and make impressions in the foil. Edison’s phonograph sounded scratchy but audible.
Watch a video of a 1908 recording that still plays -
Classic Blues Genre Begins
A simple chord progression, a deep bass line, and lyrics that evoke wisdom, sadness, and resignation. Most likely, blues evolved from the field chants recently freed slaves in the deep South. Notable artists: Charley Patton, Robert Johnson.
Listen to Original Blues Classics -
"Take Me Out to the Ballgame" Song
This is a Tin Pan Alley song by Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer which became the unofficial anthem of North American baseball. Tin Pan Alley is the name given to a collection of New York City songwriters for popular music during that time.
Listen to the 1908 recording -
First Electronic Music Instrument
The theremin was the first electronic music instrument and was invented by Lev Theremin. It is interesting because it is played without being touched by the performer. The theremin has two metal antennas.
Here is an introduction to this instrument -
Western Swing Music
Western Swing is a fuse of different musical cultures and instruments that aimed to get the crowd out on the dance floor. It originated in the late 1920s in Fort Worth, Texas. Notable artists: Milton Brown, Bob Wills
Listen to 1930s Western Swing music -
Microphone During Electric Stage
The microphone replaced the horn in the phonograph to capture sound and was now amplified electronically. This was the start of the Electric stage of recording technology. Also, grooves were now cut on a disc, which had also replaced the cylinder. Emile Berliner is known for inventing the microphone in 1876 and the flat disc record used by his gramophone. Sound quality improved a lot.
Watch a video of microphone recordings from the early 1900s -
Magnetic Tape Invented
Magnetic tape, or strips of plastic coated with finely powdered iron and later iron oxide, was magnetized when passed over a recording head. Danish inventor Valdemar Poulsen made the first device (but used wire). Later, the singer Bing Crosby invested in a company that developed these recorders. It helped music to be edited for the first time, as well as allow multitracking. One issue was tape hiss.
Watch the history of the magnetic audio tape -
R&B
R&B music started back in the 1930s. It is represented by four-beat measures or bars and the liberal use of a backbeat, and a stacking of vocal harmonies. R&B is designated as upbeat popular music that combines Blues and Jazz. Notable artists: Usher, Alicia Keys, and Jennifer Hudson
Watch this documentary on The Birth Place of R&B -
First Cast Aluminum Electric Guitar
Adolph Rickenbacker created the first cast aluminum versions of the electric lap steel guitar. It is also called the "frying pan." Although the design isn't perfect and it costs a lot, it's improved years later. These first modern electric guitars helped changed the music industry.
Watch a video about him -
Frank Sinatra
Sinatra was active until 1995. He was a singer, actor, producer and one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. His music was a blend of jazz, traditional pop, and swing. He sold 150 million records. Sinatra took older songs and made them into classics. He took on the record companies by creating his own label. Sinatra invented the first concept album by shaping the music and emotional direction of albums.
Sinatra singing "Angel Eyes" -
First Billboard Sales Chart
Billboard magazine released its first record sales chart known as the Hit Parade. This helped show what the most popular songs were of the time. It led to the creation of various song charts, which later became the Hot 100 in 1958.
Watch a video of the Hot 100 Turning 60 last year -
Etta James
Etta James was a famous jazz singer as she was also known for pop and R&B. She worked with many other famous musical artists as well. Etta James influenced later singers, from Janis Joplin to Bonnie Raitt. In addition, two of her songs were recognized as having historical significance by the Grammy Hall of Fame. Etta James was also one of the first women to sing in the style that became soul.
Listen to Etta James sing "At Last" -
Bluegrass Music
Bluegrass was the development of the old-time string bands of the 1920s, which featured the three-finger banjo style and up-tempo renditions. It is considered to be an important branch of country music. Notable artists: Bill Monroe, Earl Scruggs
Listen to Bluegrass Music -
RCA Introduces 45 rpm Single
RCA Records introduces the first 45 rpm single, a seven-inch disc that fit about one song per side. It was the perfect fit for the vinyl record jukebox that became popular in restaurants, soda shops and the teen hangouts of the 1950s.
[Listen to the 1949 Preview]"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebRx7FN6vlc" -
Sun Records
This independent record label was founded by Sam Philips in Memphis, Tennessee in 1950. Sun was the first company to record famous artists such as Elvis Presley, Charlie Rich, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johny Cash. It is known for changing the music industry by introducing rock and roll to the world. It signed artists who had strong ties to traditional black music unlike other companies then.
Watch the Sun Records Story -
First Rock and Roll Record
“Rocket 88,” a 1951 record by Ike Turner with Jackie Brenston on vocals is considered the first rock and roll record to have been released. It has everything that is a rock and roll song, including dominant guitars with blues elements and more.
Listen to the original version -
Elvis Presley
Elvis was referred to as the “King of Rock and roll” or “the King” as he was a singer and actor. He was seen as one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century. He helped define rock and roll as a musical genre, as well as increasing the acceptance and appreciation for black culture. Even today, he is the biggest selling solo artist and holds the record for the most songs on the Billboard top 40.
Listen to Elvis' Best Songs
