Music is one of the things in this world that lasts forever and has breached generational gaps throughout history. In honor of National Rock Day, we’re taking a look at rock history and examining some fossils of the genre.
Stemming from the early 1950’s with trendsetters like Elvis Presly who took the world by storm breaking hearts, to the loud and proud 1980’s metal sound of Metallica, fueled by rage and hardwired to self-destruct, to the hypnotizing vibes of the 2000’s band The Arctic Monkeys, rock music has managed to stay on the air waves.
The fast-paced, heart pounding and ear-deafening world of rock and roll has led the charge of a social revolution of fighting against “the man.” Many rock songs revolve around the themes of standing up for what you believe in and questioning those who are in control.
Nirvana
Nirvana is an American rock band that was formed in Aberdeen, WA, in 1987. Founded by lead singer-songwriter and guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic, the band went through a succession of drummers before recruiting the legendary Dave Grohl in 1990. They settled on the name Nirvana, going for a more tranquil and graceful name even though they were one of the first bands to be considered part of the “grunge” subculture, an alternative rock subculture that bloomed in Seattle, WA. While successful throughout their career, Nirvana came to an end in 1994 when Cobain was found dead in his home.
Foo Fighters
Nirvana’s drummer, Dave Grohl, went on to form the band Foo Fighters as a one-man project in 1994 after Kurt Cobain’s death. Foo Fighters went on to become its own popular band, recruiting new members and selling over 30 million records since 2018. Like Nirvana, Foo Fighters is placed in the grunge genre of rock. Some of their most popular songs include “All My Life,” “The Pretender” and “Everlong.”
Van Halen
Last year, we lost one of the most influential musicians of the classic rock era when Edward Lodewijk Van Halen lost his long-fought battle with throat cancer. The word ‘legend’ simply does not hold enough grandeur to honor the existence of the musical revolutionist, as his band Van Halen is one of the top 20 best-selling artists of all time and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. Van Halen has released countless hits, like “Jump,” and “Eruption” and you’ve surely heard one of the timeless classics in some action movie or wandering through Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
AC/DC
One of the biggest names in rock history, AC/DC, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame back in 1988 and again in 2003. AC/DC is an Australian rock band formed by Scottish artists Malcom and Angus Young. Their original and catchy name came after a type of electrical current. While they originated in Australia, they were largely popularized in the United States. They have released 17 studio albums since 1975, selling over 200 million albums.
Rock music has not only made a huge impact on this country and the world, but it has changed music forever. Being a fan of rock music means being connected to a worldwide culture, from English bands like The Beatles and the British Invasion, to classic American rock bands like Guns N’ Roses. Cheers to many more years of hard rock music.
