History of Popular Music
Just as popular music is difficult to define, its history is hard to delineate. Many pop music historians begin around 1950, with the emergence of rock 'n' roll, but it is worth looking at the influences of jazz, blues, swing and country and western in the years prior to that.
- American Popular Music 1900-1950 - sections on Blues, Jazz, Big Band/Swing among others.
The modern music industry, with its patterns of production, distribution, consumption and cultural significance, does indeed begin in the early 1950s. Sun Studios in Memphis (host to Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash et al) is sometimes heralded as the birthplace of rock'n'roll and you can take a virtual tour here.
- History of Rock'n' Roll - Focuses on 1950-1963 but is comprehensive and detailed on this period
- Rock & Roll Hall of Fame & Museum - music, pictures, all-interactive
- Paul Simon's personal history - a good account of how growing up in New York influenced his musical direction which in turn influenced so many others.
- Rock Historical Concept - thorough overview of the roots of rock, plus a comprehensive chapter on the 1980s (click to the next page)
One of the finest popular music history museums in the world is the Experience Music Project in Seattle. They have a comprehensive website, containing details of current and past exhibitions, and plenty of archive material. If you get the chance, go there.
