rock music

Rock music originated in the 1950s from the convergence of blues, country music, gospel, and rhythm and blues.‍​‌​‌​‌​‌​‍​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‍​‍​‍​‌​‌​‌​‌​‍​‍​‌​‍​‍​‍​‌​‌​‌​‌​‍​‌ The electric guitar is the defining instrument, supported by bass guitar, drums, and often keyboards. Rock's rhythmic foundation is the backbeat — a strong accent on beats two and four. The genre has spawned countless subgenres: classic rock, progressive rock, punk, grunge, metal, alternative, indie, post-rock, and shoegaze, among others. Rock songs typically use verse-chorus form with a bridge, and guitar solos are a signature feature. Amplification and distortion are essential to the rock sound. The genre's cultural impact extends far beyond music — rock has influenced fashion, language, politics, and youth culture since its inception. Key artists include Elvis Presley, the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and Nirvana.