The roots of rock... The roots of rock are lost in the jungles of the Amazon and Africa. In 1619 the first slaves moved to America. They bring with them the traditions, customs and of course their music. Graduated by mixing African and European music is created mother rock, the jazz.
In the birth of rock also contributed rhythm and blues and gospels, which are africanamerican idioms and country, kind of folk music that emerged in Ireland. The first rock hit was ''Rock around the clock'' of Bill Haley and the His Comets in 1954. This song came in conjunction with the band's tour in USA. That's how the spread of rock music started.
Also, in the spread of the new music radio station contributed, which in the spirit of the competition with the television, they constantly played rock songs.
The first singer who gave rock the global glow was Elvis Prisley who appeared on the music scene in 1955. Youth liked Elvis because he was young, handsome and provocative. So, young girls get hysterical as soon as they see him, while boys are jealous of him.
Soon two streams of rock were created in America: from one side rockabily, performed by white people who came mainly from the south cities of the USA, with representatives Elvis Prisley, Ricky Nelson, Bandy Holy, Jerry Lee Liouis. From the other side black rock, more raging and possessed pace, with representatives Litte Richard, Bo Didly, Chuk Berry.
The decade of the '60s has to boast many notable bands starring with Beatles, Kings, Rolling Stones, Who and Animals. These bands appeared in England and at first they becom known as rock bands which weren't limited of copying the standards of America. Gradually evolved and mixed their components of jazz, folk and classic music.
Furthermore, on other side of the Atlantic many rock singers like Bob Dylan wrote songs the content of which is the serious social and political problems, like war and poverty. Also, in America many bands were created, like Jeferson Airplane, The Grateful Dead and Doors. Also singers appear like Jannis Joplin and amazing guitarists such as Jimmy Hendrix.
Decade of '70s and the dance goes on: Scorpions, Guns 'n' Roses, Metallica, Sex Pistols, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd etc. Also songwriters such as Elton John, Bruce Sringsteen, David Bowie, Lou Reed, Eric Clapton. Little by little the sound goes harder and the music becomes more violent and aggressive. Also the electronic interventions in music start. In the decade of the '70s appear pank and jazz rock.
Other births of bands are Genesis, Yes, Kansas, Eagles, Roxy Music etc.
Meanwhile also branches of rock appear psychedelia, the Jamaican reggae and heavy metal. In this decade the greek rock scene makes its first steps, with representatives Dionysis Savvopoulos, Vasilis Papakonstantinou and legendary Paulos Sidiropoulos.
At the beginning of the '80s popular is the tension of new wave with bands such as Talking Heads, Stranglers ... At that time dark wave or gothic rock are formed with Joy Division, Cure... In the US bands formed crucial for the course of music such as REM, Sonic Youth...
Also, in Seattle we have grunge music with representatives Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Soundgarden... In the bloom of the american rock contribute Red Hot Chili Peppers, Offspring, Smashing Pumpkins. In Greece, remarkable are Socrates, Magic de Spell, Panx Romana, 2002 GR, Mutant (Μεταλλακτικοί), Musical Brigades (Μουσικές Ταξιαρχίες) etc.
The decade of the '90s is a prosperity decade for british rock, with Oasis, Blur, Pulp, Radiohead etc. Around the world there are now thousands of rock bands. In Australia Go-Betweens, in New Zealand Chills, in Holland Nits etc. Some of them they follow the style of old bands, but there are bands which form their onw style, such as Oasis, Aerosmith, U2, The Fall and others. In Greece there are acts which suit all tastes, such as Terror-X-Crew and Active Member for hip-hop, Τρύπες, Ξύλινα Σπαθιά, Διάφανα Κρίνα and Στρογγυλό Κίτρινο for hard rock, Stereo Nova and Μίκρο for electronic music, Ενδελέχεια and Υπόγεια Ρεύματα for rock-artfully tunes, Πυξ Λαξ for rock-folk tunes and others. The century ends with the existence of immortal songs and amazing artists.