The Evolution of Modern Popular Music: From the 50s to Pop

The Evolution of Modern Popular Music

We understand modern popular music as a movement that marks the wide margins of youth's thunderous intervention in various aspects of musical life since the 1950s.

The Birth of a Movement

What caused its birth?

• The revolt of youth who wanted to create their own modes of life, resulting in music derived from their unique personalities.
• An attempt to transmit their ideals to the greatest number of people, as music serves as the most open and efficient form of communication.
• Economic interests of major record companies.

Defining Elements

Several elements explain these phenomena:

• Self-taught musicians: Most artists did not come from a conservatory background.
• Intentionality: There was an explicit desire to ignore traditional ways of making music.
• Technical innovation: They utilized all available electronic technical means.
• Musical focus: This music places great importance on rhythms and melodic lines.
• Diverse influences: There is an appreciation for national folklore, exotic music from the East, and, of course, Jazz.
• Ensemble focus: Great importance is attached to musical groups.
• Classical integration: Many contributions from contemporary classical music were accepted.

History and Development

The great development of this music began in the 1950s. In the years following World War II, European youth began to express their disagreement and sought to experience a new world; this is the root of this new way of making and using music. The 50s saw an accentuation of the influence of jazz and, especially, rock 'n' roll. The idol of the Rock era was Elvis Presley, whose music expressed youth not only spiritually but bodily.

The Beat Movement

Rock moved by large ensembles arose in the 1960s, namely The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. The arrival of The Beatles is clearly the most important fact of modern popular music. Their music is based on a clear melodic line combined with rhythmic simplicity. The Beatles caused the birth of numerous groups that expressed the Beat movement, with Liverpool becoming its birthplace. The Beat was a huge wave that swept the world, reflecting a rejection of established culture and capitalist society. Other important groups included The Hollies and The Animals.

The Rise of Pop

The Pop movement emerged in the 1960s alongside the Rolling Stones. This movement adopted a more rebellious and nonconformist attitude. While this line gained importance, other movements arose, mainly linked to Folk artists such as Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Peter, Paul and Mary. These artists expressed an ideology of protest, though it was often less radical in nature.