A Timeline of Musical History

Here’s a quick look at how music has evolved over the years, including each genre’s influences and some of its contributing artists.

1700s – 1800s—Classical 

Origins—Western liturgical and secular music

Artists—Johann Bach, Frederic Chopin, Ludwig van Beethoven, Wolfgang Mozart

1900s—Blues

Origins—African American folk music, spirituals, work songs

Artists—Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, B.B. King

1910—Jazz

Origins—Blues, folk, march, ragtime

Artists—Louis Armstrong, Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones, Thelonious Monk

1920s—Country

Origins—Folk music, bluegrass, gospel, western swing, blues

Artists—Jimmie Rodgers, Gene Autry, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash

1940s – 1950s—R&B

Origins—Jazz, blues, gospel

Artists—Big Joe Turner, James Brown, The Blues Brothers

1940s – 1950s—Rock & Roll 

Origins—Blues, R&B, gospel, country, jazz, swing, folk

Artists—Bill Haley & His Comets, Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, Elvis Presley

1950s – 1960s—Rock

Origins—Rock & Roll, jazz, folk, country, blues, R&B, soul

Artists—The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, The Grateful Dead

1960s – 1970s—Heavy Metal

Origins—Blues rock, psychedelic rock

Artists—Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest

1970s—Hip Hop/ Rap

Origins—Urban street culture, soul, funk, R&B

Artists—Run-DMC, Tupac Shakur, Biggie Smalls, Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige

1980s—New Wave/ Hip Hop/ Progressive, Pop & Hard Rock/ Glam Metal/ Contemporary R&B

Origins—R&B, pop, soul, funk, hip hop, punk rock

Artists—Journey, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, U2, R.E.M., Bon Jovi, Bob Seger, John Mellencamp, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, The Police, AC/DC, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Whitney Houston

1990s—Hip Hop/ Dance Pop/ Contemporary R&B/ Alternative Rock

Origins—R&B, rock, pop, soul, funk

Artists—Madonna, Bryan Adams, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Boyz II Men, TLC, Pearl Jam, Aerosmith

2000s—Teen Pop/ Southern Hip Hop/ Rock/ Alternative Rock

Origins— R&B, rock, pop, soul, country, funk, Miami bass, electro, gangsta rap

Artists—Beyonce, Christina Aguilera, Lady GaGa, Nickelback, Pink, Taylor Swift, Sheryl Crow, Katy Perry, Justin Timerlake, Usher

It doesn’t matter what type of music you love—we can teach you how to dance to it! Visit the Arthur Murray Dance Studios in Charlotte and Lake Norman, NC.