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This is a list of rock music genres consisting of subgenres of popular music that have roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, and which developed into a distinct identity as rock music in the 1960s, particularly in the United States and United Kingdom.
- Alternative Rock. 1,377 votes. Popular artists: Beck, Weezer, R.E.M., Foo Fighters, The Cure, Muse, The Smashing Pumpkins, Oasis, Pixies, The Smiths. Rank the best alternative rock bands here!
- Heavy Metal. 1,341 votes. Popular artists: Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Iron Maiden, Pantera, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Led Zeppelin, Slipknot, Deep Purple.
- Grunge. 1,241 votes. Popular artists: Nirvana, Hole, Stone Temple Pilots, The Smashing Pumpkins, Alice in Chains, Everclear, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Melvins, L7.
- Blues Rock. 991 votes. Popular aritsts: Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Rolling Stones, ZZ Top, The Allman Brothers Band, The Black Keys, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Muddy Waters, Gary Clark Jr.
- Alternative Rock
- Rock ‘N’ Roll
- Blues Rock
- Progressive Rock
- Indie Rock
- Punk Rock
- Psychedelic Rock
- Acid Rock
- Glam Rock
- Roots Rock
Alternative rock had its breakthrough in the 80s as, you guessed it, an alternative to rock as people knew it at the time. The subgenre has many of the characteristics of classic rock, in addition to elements from other rock subgenres or even totally unrelated genres like hip-hop. Alternative rock is defined by edgy lyrics and experimental use of i...
The emergence of rock ‘n’ roll is often associated with youth revolt and rejection of social norms and gender discrimination. Rock ‘n’ roll songs are full of energy, have catchy melodies, and usually integrate elements from other music genres, like country and R&B. Rock ‘n’ roll is one of the earliest subgenres of rock music, spreading throughout t...
As its name implies, blues rock is a combination of blues and rock music. Blues rock pieces typically have a loud beat, aggressive texture, heavy guitar sounds, and blues-scale guitar solos. Blues rock came to life in the early to mid-1960s, specifically in the United States and the United Kingdom. Bands like Led Zeppelin, ZZ Top, and The Allman Br...
Progressive rock is an experimentation-driven subgenre of rock that emphasizes musical virtuosity, wild compositions, and conceptual lyrics. The subgenre first gained popularity back in the late 1960s with the formation of bands like Pink Floyd, Rush, and Dream Theatre. This type of rock music is characterized by odd time signatures and long songs....
Indie rock is all about using simple instruments and a clear melody. This type of rock music emerged in the 70s-80s period in the United Kingdom and the United States. The whole point of indie rock was to combat the heavy commercialism of rock music. The term “indie music” may refer to either independent artists or those within the indie rock genre...
Punk rock is always thought of as a blend of garage rock and conventional rock ‘n’ roll. It presented a newly-born alternative to the traditional rock ‘n’ roll music of the 70s. The subgenre includes elements like power chords, extreme vocals, distorted guitars, and fast tempos. The lyrics of punk rock songs often revolve around social discontent a...
Psychedelic rock is heavily influenced by psychedelic culture. Bands that play this style of rock music rely on trippy studio effects, including reverb, distortion, reversed sound, and phasing to give the subgenre a distinct nature. This is usually in combination with the original use of instruments such as wah-wah pedals and electric guitars with ...
Acid rock was inspired by the garage punk movement in the mid-60s. Many people consider acid and psychedelic rock to be the same subgenre, while others classify psychedelic rock as a subgenre of acid rock. Acid rock incorporates long jam sessions and heavy sound distortion, accompanied by blues progressions. Jefferson Airplane, Iron Butterfly, Blue...
Popularized in the 1970s in the United Kingdom, glam rock was one of the most iconic cultural phenomena at that time. This style of rock music is greatly influenced by bubblegum pop. Glam rock bands usually put on wild wigs and wear unconventional costumes. The subgenre prioritizes catchy melodies, stomping hip-shaking rhythms, and extreme theatric...
Roots rock takes inspiration from traditional American music genres like blues, country, and folk. The earliest works of roots rock date back to the late 1960s, in response to the spread of progressive rock during that period. The subgenre was also prominent in the 1980s when heavy metal and punk rock were dominating the scene. There are many style...
- Acid Rock. A subgenre of rock music, Acid Rock is characterized by its distorted and heavy sound from amplified guitar riffs and solos. Bands like Jimi Hendrix, Cream, and The Doors are some of the most influential artists in this style of music.
- Alternative Rock. Alternative rock is a style of rock music that emerged from the independent music underground in the 1980s. It typically combines influences from punk, pop, and new wave, and often incorporates elements of various other genres such as folk and electronic music.
- Arena Rock. Arena Rock is a form of hard rock music that originated in the mid-1970s. It was popularized by bands like Led Zeppelin, The Eagles, Journey, and Boston.
- Art Rock. This type of rock music emerged in the late 1960s and is characterized by a strong focus on artistic values, incorporating elements of classical music.
It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, a style that drew directly from the blues and rhythm and blues genres of African-American music and from country music. Rock also drew strongly from genres such as electric blues and folk, and incorporated influences from jazz and other musical styles.
- 1950s and 1960s, US and UK
- Electric guitar, bass guitar, drums
Sep 23, 2023 · Rock music encompasses a wide range of genres and subgenres. Some popular rock music styles include classic rock, heavy metal, and alternative rock. Subgenres of rock include punk rock, grunge, psychedelic rock, and more. Different rock music categories offer distinct sounds, attitudes, and cultural influences.
The most comprehensive list of Rock Music genres and information available anywhere (almost!) The Music Genres List site covers many of the most popular styles of Rock music, including British Invasion (my personal favourite!), Hair Metal (one of my more amusing), and Rockabilly (one of the more fun genres.) Hoping, with your help, this becomes ...
