Rock and roll traces its roots to the music of the early 20th century. Its infectious sound, characterized by catchy guitar rhythms, a strong beat, and youthful lyrics, sparked a musical revolution beloved by the young and initially scorned by many adults. The emergence of rock and roll signaled a monumental change in popular music, and as rock grew, it assimilated a vast range of influences, including country, folk, jazz, gospel, and international styles, to become one of the most dynamic musical genres of contemporary times. American Popular Music: Rock and Roll explores the history of this musical genre as it took the United States by storm.
