50s
This Mississippi Delta style and artists like Muddy Waters were a primary source for early rock's melodies and lyrical themes.
What are The Blues?
This Motown-era songwriter/producer wrote numerous hits and was a central figure at Motown: he also led the Miracles.
Who is Smokey Robinson?
This genre emphasized extended instrumental jams, concept albums, and studio experimentation: Think Pink Floyd
What is Progressive Rock?
What year did MTV launch, and why did its arrival shift how musicians had to present themselves to reach mass audiences?
What is 1981?
What is artists needed strong videos and images to get exposure?
This 1990s subgenre emphasized "authenticity" and was associated with Seattle (name the subgenre and one defining band.)
What is Grunge and Nirvana/Pearl Jam/Soundgarden?
This guitarist and songwriter whose 1955 hit "Maybellene" helped define teen-centered lyrics and guitar-driven rock and roll.
Who is Chuck Berry?
This 1960s phenomenon from Britain dramatically reshaped American charts and youth culture when it arrived in 1964
What is the British Invasion?
What event and social tensions were associated with the decline of disco, and what longer-term musical forms carried disco’s influence forward?
What is Disco Demolition Night? (Also racism, homophobia, generational backlash)
What is Hip-Hop, house, and EDM?
Name two women artists from the 1980s who expanded the definition of rock, and briefly explain one barrier each faced in the industry.
Who are Joan Jett, Cyndi Lauper, Whitney Houston?
Joan Jett: Gatekeeping in labels/radio for women in hard rock
Cyndi Lauper: expectations in pop image, not taken seriously
Whitney Houston: black pop artists, couldn't dance
Define "genre blending" with one 1990s example and explain how blending expanded the meaning of rock in the decade.
Rap‑rock example: Rage Against the Machine
"Walk This Way" collaboration blending brought hip‑hop rhythms and political rap energy into rock, broadening rock’s stylistic and cultural reach.
Pop-Punk: Blink 182
etc.
This female singer, blending gospel and R&B and noted in your course, influenced early rock with powerful vocals and a church‑inspired delivery
Sister Rosetta Tharpe
Explain how folk music’s lyrical focus influenced rock songcraft in the 1960s: reference one Bob Dylan idea
Folk emphasized storytelling and serious social themes; Dylan sought deeper, realistic lyrics (e.g., "Like a Rolling Stone") bringing narrative and political commentary into rock songwriting.
This Black artist is credited with shaping funk and often called the "Godfather of Soul."
Who is James Brown?
Define "arena rock" characteristics and give one example song from the 80s that fits the genre and why.
Huge arenas can sing along EASILY, good hooks, relatable lyrics.
This groundbreaking all-female music festival was founded by Sarah McLachlan in 1997
Lilith Fair
This technological format introduced mid‑20th century that created the teen single market (short, affordable records)
What is the 45 RPM Single?
What 1960s Detroit record company applied a "factory model" to producing hit singles, and who founded it?
What is Motown, Who is Berry Gordy?
This is one way punk culture changed how musicians thought about recording and performance
What is Emphasized DIY, low‑budget recordings and small, direct performances over polished stadium shows?
Describe the differences between glam metal and thrash metal in the 1980s and name a representative of each.
Glam: Polished, flashy, themes of partying: Motley Crue, Def Leopard, Van Halen
Thrash: Fast tempos, aggressive riffs, darker/political lyrics: Metallica, Slayer, Anthrax
This genre brought punk, pop, and ska together and had prominent bands like No Doubt and Sublime.
What is Ska, Ska-punk or Third-Wave Ska
This scandal changed the way DJs and record companies decided which music was to be played on the radio
Bonus: Who was the DJ that was persecuted for playing music by black artists
What was PAYOLA
Alan Freed, RIP
Identify two innovations or genres from the 1960s that expanded rock beyond dance music, give an example for each
What is Psychedelic/experimental rock: The Beatles
What is Motown/soul: The Supremes, Temptations
What is Folk: Bob Dylan/Pete Seger
What is Surf Rock: The Beach Boys
Choose one 1970s artist and explain how their music reflected social or technological changes of the decade, and how.
Who is _____?
This artist’s 14‑minute video for a single 1983 album track became a cultural event that showcased MTV’s power to create global pop icons.
Who is Michael Jackson?
Name one 1990s hip‑hop artist or group that influenced rock artists and mainstream culture
What is Public Enemy, NWA, or Beastie Boys?