Evans - 30-SECOND ROCK MUSIC: the 50 key styles, artists and happenings each explained in half a minute

Beginning with The Roots of Rock, we trace the musics diverse origins, from 1930s blues, gospel and hillbilly music, to the explosive birth of the teenager that shook the world in the early 1950s.

In The Essence of Rock, major genres linked to specific periods in rocks history are outlined, from classic rock n roll through prog rock, heavy metal and punk, to todays indie and alt-rock.

How Rock Works describes the essential elements in the creation of rock music, including the basic instrumentation, the historic part played by vinyl singles and albums, the key role of producers and songwriters, and the live experience of touring bands playing everywhere from small clubs to massive arenas.

Rocks social influence is highlighted in the chapter on Rock Culture, tracing the musics impact on fashion, movies and literature, plus a look at the often-underrated role of women in rock music, and the function of rock as a voice of political dissent and protest.

Since its earliest days, from Buddy Holly and the Beatles, to Britpop and bubblegum records, Rock as Pop had been inextricably linked to the bestseller charts and idol-worshipping world of million-selling singles and fan mania.

Classic Records have been at the heart of rock music. It would be an impossible task to make a definitive list of a hundred, let alone just seven. But here are a selection of some of the very best spanning 60 years, evocative of their time as well as the music they represent.

Rock is truly an international music. In our run-down of cities in the Rockin Around the World chapter, weve not gone for the historically most important Liverpool, Memphis, New York and so on but for a more arbitrary selection based both on past influence and a current cool connectivity.

Throughout the entries, records cited after a particular artist are usually their biggest, or most relevant, hit. Each entry is also accompanied by a 3-Second Lick summing up the topic, and 3-Minute Jam highlighting a particular aspect in more detail. All entries are followed by cross-referencing to related topics elsewhere in the book, and brief 3-Second Biographies of key individuals.

Finally, rock music has always been about its stars. Some of the most important names are featured in special Profile pieces, along with a brief timeline of their lives and careers, rounding off a compact guide to rock music that we hope will both inform and entertain at the same time.

A timeline of rock music

1948

Introduction of the vinyl long-player album

1949

RCA Records launch the 7-inch vinyl single

1951

Jackie Brenstons Rocket 88 released

1953

Marlon Brando stars as motorcycle gang leader in The Wild One. The Crows have first doo-wop chart hit with Gee

1954

Elvis Presleys debut single Thats All Right. Bill Haley scores with his version of Joe Turners rhythm and blues hit Shake, Rattle and Roll

1955

James Dean teen-delinquent movie Rebel Without a Cause released. Rock Around the Clock a huge hit for Bill Haley & His Comets

1956

Elviss Heartbreak Hotel tops charts

1958

First girl group hit, Maybe by the Chantels

1959

Buddy Holly dies in plane crash

1960

The Miracles Shop Around first big hit for Motown record company

1962

Beatles debut single Love Me Do

1963

The Freewheelin Bob Dylan is released

1964

Beatles lead British Invasion of USA

1965

Bob Dylan goes electric at Newport Folk Festival. He releases Bringing It All Back Home

1966

Beach Boys Pet Sounds released. Beatles Revolver released

1967

Velvet Underground & Nico released. Beatles release Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band. Monterey Pop Festival sets template for rock festivals to come

1968

Commercial debut of the Moog Synthesizer

1969

Woodstock Festival. Led Zeppelin debut album launches heavy rock. Rolling Stones guitarist Brian Jones dies

1970

Jimi Hendrix dies at 28. Beatles officially disband. Janis Joplin dies at 27. Jazz-rock chart breakthrough with Miles Daviss