Throughout thousands of years, music has evolved. From Beethoven to Folk songs in the west to today, it is constantly changing. Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines music as “vocal, instrumental, or mechanical sounds having rhythm, melody, or harmony.” Rock music has been an escape for many people through the fascinating history, concerts, and the many different genres of rock. Many people credit Alan Freed with coining the term Rock ‘n’ Roll. At radio station WJW in Cleveland, Ohio, dj Alan Freed started out in 1951 playing classical music such as Beethoven, Bach, and Mozart. Freed soon realized rock 'n' roll had took the hearts of young people throughout the U.S.. “I went to the station manager and talked him into permitting me to follow …show more content…
Although rock would not have gone anywhere without people such as Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, and Eric Clapton. Chuck Berry is widely thought of as one of the major forerunners of rock music, having fused blues with country music and added a rhythm-and-blues beat. Also he is thought by many to be the creator of the rock music form. His unique playing of the guitar and his comical lyrics were a major inspiration for the English pop renaissance and for a wide variety of other rock musicians (Columbia, par. 1). Before Elvis, rock 'n' roll had not yet consolidated as a kind of music all its own. There were white country singers and black rhythm and blues singers. All of which presented something to what would eventually be rock 'n' roll: the strong bass beat, the use of unique guitar sounds, and faster tempos (Lusted, par. 2). An influential figure in rock, Eric Clapton is noted especially for his skilled guitar playing, …show more content…
Most great bands put on great rock concerts. On August 15 through 18, 1969, one of the most recognizable rock concerts in history, Woodstock, took place. At a time when Americans were severely segregated, over 400,000 people from across the country gathered in the fields at Bethel, New York to celebrate peace and music. The three days of mythical performances, copious amounts of mud, and memorable experiences helped the Woodstock Music and Art Fair become a designation of an entire generation (“Woodstock,” par. 1). Big name bands, such as Slipknot, have even started creating their own festivals. Knotfest is an annual metal music festival performed in the United States and Mexico. With a blend of heavy metal, alternative metal, progressive metal, metalcore, death metal and more, the festival previously featured bands such as Slipknot, Judas Priest, Korn, Bring Me The Horizon, Mastodon and more. There are also attractions including a Knotfest museum organized by the members of Slipknot, a Thunderdome fighting area featuring matches that will last until fighters give in, a ring of fire carnival ride and flaming carnival games (Woods. Locally many big name and smaller bands play at a weekend long event called Rocklahoma. Drawing 60,000 fans in 2015, Rocklahoma took upon the title of "America's Biggest Memorial Day Weekend Party" (Scorpions, par. 2). The festival includes top current rock artists and classic bands, with onsite