There is always a craze in music. You have from the indie artists like Arcade Fire and Fun. playing their fun little melodies to the techno and pop sensations like Katey Perry and Lady Gaga. But for these bands and everything in between we need to remember the roots of rock and roll. Not as far back as the African Spirituals and 50's big bands, But the people who changed Rock and Roll. In my humble opinion here are the top 5 bands that lead the revolution so to speak.
1) The Beatles.
They are probably one of the most important voices in this music revolution. Four shaggy headed kids from Liverpool, who doesn't love that? Their appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show singing "I want to hold your hand" introduced and made them even bigger in America. If only John Lennon had kept his mouth shut when he proclaimed, "we're bigger than Jesus". Maybe they wouldn't have lost some popularity. Almost all the band members are famous however only two are still alive. John Lennon was shot by a crazed fan and George Harrison died of cancer. Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr are still performing.
Here's what to listen to if you're not familiar:
Let it Be
Come Together
Hey Jude
She Loves You
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds
Eight Days a Week
I Want to Hold Your Hand
2) The Rolling Stones
When they came over the pond not only did they bring their music, but also their rebellion. Named after the blues legend, Muddy Waters, song "Rollin' Stone" these brits also took rock n' roll to another level. Where The Beatles were more progressive and pushing forward, The Rolling Stones were building off their knowledge of the blues and evolving it. Their lead guitarist, Kieth Richard, is considered one of the best guitarists ever. Mick Jagger is known for his huge mouth.
What to listen to if you're not familiar
(I can't get no) Satisfaction
Get off of my Cloud
Ruby Tuesday
Sympathy for the Devil
Paint it Black
Under my Thumb
3) Led Zeppelin
Pushing forward a couple years, Led Zeppelin (originally Lead Zeppelin but their manager thought Americans were thick and would pronounce it Leed) came to the front as a progressive rock band that worked with the blues. Their stage preformances were also legendary. Guitarist Jimmy Page and Bassist John Paul Jones are considered to be among the best guitarists and bassists.
What to listen to if you're not familiar
Black Dog
Stairway to Heaven
Immigrant Song
All of my Love
Whole lotta love
Kashmir
D'yer Mak'er
4) Pink Floyd
They may have been druggies, but they changed the way music was listened to. Up till now music was more for the entertainment of people. It was still an art, but now it was a different type of art. Psychadaliea. Instead of love songs and heartbreak songs, their singing about social issues and instead of just rebelling against the government, their saying no to the government. They don't sing to girls...but to walls. David Gillmore and Roger Waters are still touring though not together. The Albums "THE WALL" and "Dark Side of the Moon" are considered their most popular albums.
What to listen to if you're not familiar
Comfortably Numb
Happiest Days of our lives/Another brick in the wall part II
Brain Damage/Eclipse
Money
Us and Them
High Hopes
Wearing the Inside Out
5) Queen
Fast forward to the 80's. This band was a pioneer for music simply because their lead singer was a genius. Honestly, who else could have written a song like "We Will Rock You" where the only musical line other than the vocals is three beats? Who else could write anthems that would live on forever like "We are the Champions", "Bicycle Races", "Save Me", and more! Brian May is also one of the best guitarists in the world.
In case you're not familiar:
Save Me
Show Must Go On
Breakthru
Radio Gaga (the song that inspired Lady Gaga's name)
Bicycle Race
We Will Rock You
We are the Champions
Another One Bites the Dust
Good old Fashioned Lover Boy
Crazy little thing called love
I want to break free
Besides these five which are my Favorite, there are tons of others like: The Animals, Buddy Holly, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, The Who, and many more. Take a listen to these guys. These are some of the beginnings of rock and roll.
