Rock music is a genre of popular music that originated as "rock and roll" in the United States in the 1950s, and developed into a range of different styles in the 1960s and later, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s' and 1950s' rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by blues, rhythm and blues and country music. Rock music also drew strongly on a number of other genres such as electric blues and folk, and incorporated influences from jazz, classical and other musical sources.
Musically, rock has centered on the electric guitar, usually as part of a rock group with electric bass guitar and drums. Typically, rock is song-based music usually with a 4/4 time signature using a verse-chorus form, but the genre has become extremely diverse. Like pop music, lyrics often stress romantic love but also address a wide variety of other themes that are frequently social or political in emphasis. The dominance of rock by white, male musicians has been seen as one of the key factors shaping the themes explored in rock music. Rock places a higher degree of emphasis on musicianship, live performance, and an ideology of authenticity than pop music.
Bossanova is the third studio album by the American rock band Pixies. It was released in August 13, 1990 on the English independent record label4AD in the United Kingdom and by Elektra Records in the United States. All of Bossanova's original material was written by the band's frontman Black Francis; this was a first for a Pixies album, but he has written all of their songs since. The album's sound, inspired by surf rock and space rock, complements its lyrical focus on outer space, which references subjects such as aliens and unidentified flying objects.
Because of 4AD's independent status, major label Elektra Records handled distribution in the United States; Bossanova reached number 70 on the Billboard 200. The album peaked at number three in the UK Albums Chart. Two singles were released from Bossanova, "Velouria" and "Dig for Fire"; both charted on the US Modern Rock Tracks chart, at #4 and #11, respectively.
Background and recording
After Pixies finished touring obligations for their second album Doolittle (1989) in January 1990, band members Black Francis, Joey Santiago, and David Lovering moved from Boston to Los Angeles. Bassist Kim Deal meanwhile stayed in the UK to record the first Breeders album during January with producer Steve Albini. Deal ultimately decided to travel out to Los Angeles with the rest of the group. Lovering stated that he, Santiago, and Black Francis moved to Los Angeles because that's where they intended to record. The three band members lived in the Oakwood apartments, along with comic Garrett Morris and members of the band White Lion. Producer Gil Norton also moved into the apartment complex.
Instrumental in pioneering the folk rock genre, they also dabbled in psychedelic music before disbanding in 1968. The band reunited in 2000 to perform at their induction into the Rock and RollHall of ...
But beyond the genre per se, the words ‘rock and roll’, or simply rock music, also came to signify rebellion, especially youth’s rejection of parents’ choice of music, attitudes and expectations.
The 2025 Grammy winners have been revealed, and the biggest night in music did not disappoint ... From pop to rap, country to rock, this year’s winners reflect a dynamic shift in the music landscape ... Rock, Country, and AlternativeMusicWinners.
... alternative music performance for the follow-up single, “Flea." ... She subsequently won Grammys for best rock song for "Masseduction" in 2019 and best alternative music album for "Daddy's Home" in 2022.
After leaving SiriusXM, where he spent nine years talking about rock ’n roll, Nik Carter was taking a break ... “I like all music,” he explained, with his main complaint about the classic rock format being that “It became predictable and boring.
The Derbyshire Historic BuildingsTrust says it remains determined to bring the building back to life - and hopes to create something similar to the RockCity alternative music venue in Nottingham... Sort of Derby's Rock City, if you like.".
Nicosia’s live music scene is buzzing with jazz nights, rock performances, concertos with esteemed artists and shows by passionate creatives. Soon, an acapella concert will arrive to enrich Nicosia’s live music agenda with a special event.
... a song you can’t quite place – a genuine skill – and that the music that surrounds them is a lot like old-fashioned, ungentrified indie, from an era before Britpop made alt-rock a mainstream concern.
If you’re a technology enthusiast like me, walking into the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) trade show feels a little like wandering into a parallel universe ...It’s part trade show, part rock concert, and part carnival.
On the other hand, Rolling Stones got the title of the best rock album for their 2023 comeback, ‘HackneyDiamonds.’Both the musical bands were given the honor at the Grammys' 'premiere ceremony', ...