The Beatles: The Band That Changed Everything The Beatles. Formation and Early Years (1957–1962) The Beatles began in Liverpool, England, when John Lennon formed a skiffle group called The Quarrymen in 1957. He was soon joined by: Managed by Brian Epstein and produced by George Martin, The Beatles fused rock and roll, rhythm & blues,…
Roxy Music: Glam Rock Visionaries and Architects of Art Rock Roxy Music. Origins and Formation Roxy Music emerged from the vibrant British music scene of the early 1970s, a time when rock was evolving rapidly in style and scope. The band was founded in 1970 in London by the charismatic and enigmatic Bryan Ferry, who…
Lamb of God: The Relentless Vanguard of American Metal Introduction: The New Wave of American Heavy Metal Among the most ferocious and technically skilled bands in modern metal, Lamb of God has stood out for over two decades as a brutal, unflinching force. With politically-charged lyrics, intricate riffing, and a relentless rhythm section, the Virginia-based…
Metallica: Titans of Thrash and Architects of Modern Metal Metallica. Forged in Fire: The Early Years (1981–1983) Metallica was formed in Los Angeles, California in 1981 when drummer Lars Ulrich, a Danish immigrant with a love for the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM), placed an ad in a local newspaper. Responding to the…
Elton John: Rocket Man of Pop, Glam, and Timeless Songcraft Elton John. Early Life and Career Beginnings Elton John was born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on March 25, 1947, in Pinner, Middlesex, England. A child prodigy, he learned piano by ear at age four and earned a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music at age…
Soundgarden: Heavy Grunge Architects with a Sonic Roar Soundgarden. Formation and Early Identity Soundgarden was formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1984, and is considered one of the pioneering bands of the grunge movement, predating Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Alice in Chains. Soundgarden. Founding members: Cornell’s four-octave vocal range and Thayil’s unorthodox guitar tunings gave Soundgarden…
America: Acoustic Harmonies and Desert Landscapes in Song America. I. Formation and Origins America was formed in London in 1970 by three American teenagers: Although American by nationality, the members met while their fathers were stationed in the U.K. as U.S. Air Force personnel. Drawing inspiration from folk, rock, and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young,…
PJ Harvey: The Voice of Raw Emotion and Artistic Innovation PJ Harvey. Early Life and Background Polly Jean Harvey, widely known as PJ Harvey, was born on October 9, 1969, in Bridport, Dorset, England. Emerging in the early 1990s, she quickly established herself as one of the most compelling and influential figures in alternative rock….
Bryan Adams: Canada’s Rock Balladeer and Global Hitmaker Bryan Adams. Early Life and Musical Beginnings Bryan Adams was born on November 5, 1959, in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, and spent parts of his youth abroad due to his father’s diplomatic work. He turned to music at an early age, leaving school to join a band at…
The Police: New Wave Icons with Sting’s Signature Sting The Police. Formation and Origins The Police were formed in London in 1977, during the height of the British punk explosion, but quickly distanced themselves from its raw simplicity. The Police. Members: Though often seen as a “power trio,” The Police blended punk urgency with reggae…
