Rock music is a genre of popular music that originated as "rock and roll" in the United States in the 1950s, and developed into a range of different styles in the 1960s and later, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s' and 1950s' rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by blues, rhythm and blues and country music. Rock music also drew strongly on a number of other genres such as electric blues and folk, and incorporated influences from jazz, classical and other musical sources.
Musically, rock has centered on the electric guitar, usually as part of a rock group with electric bass guitar and drums. Typically, rock is song-based music usually with a 4/4 time signature using a verse-chorus form, but the genre has become extremely diverse. Like pop music, lyrics often stress romantic love but also address a wide variety of other themes that are frequently social or political in emphasis.
The dominance of rock by white, male musicians has been seen as one of the key factors shaping the themes explored in rock music. Rock places a higher degree of emphasis on musicianship, live performance, and an ideology of authenticity than pop music.
Fats Domino was one of the all-time great performers, pioneer of rock'n'roll and piano wizard that influenced generations of musicians.
The Flaming Lips is an American rock band formed in 1983 and best known for its associations with 1960s and 1970s psychedelic subculture.
Fleetwood Mac are one of the world's greatest rock bands having sold over more than 100 million records over the last 50 years
Florence and the Machine's style is described as 'dark, robust & romantic', a mix of "classic soul & midnight-on-the-moors English art rock.
Foo Fighters is an American rock band founded in 1994 by Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl as a one-man project following the death of Kurt Cobain.
As a self-taught composer and performer, Zappa's diverse musical influences led him to create music that was often difficult to categorize.
Free were an English rock band formed in 1968 & credited with laying the foundations for the rise of hard rock.
Green Day is an American punk rock band formed in 1986 by vocalist/guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong and bassist Mike Dirnt.
Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band formed in 1985. Their music is a fusion of punk rock, blues rock, heavy metal & hard rock.
Ian Dury was an English rock and roll singer-songwriter, bandleader, artist, and actor who first rose to fame during the late 1970s.
Iggy Pop is an American singer-songwriter, musician and actor. He was the vocalist of influential proto-punk band The Stooges.
The Jam were an English punk rock/mod revival band active during the late 1970s and early 1980s. They were formed in Woking, Surrey.
Jeff Beck is one of rock’s most respected and dynamic instrumentalists. He is widely regarded as a “guitarist’s guitarist”.
Jeff Buckley was an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. Rolling Stone considers him one of the greatest singers of all time.
Jimi Hendrix was an American rock guitarist, singer, songwriter & arguably the greatest instrumentalist in the history of rock music.
John Lydon is an English singer, songwriter & musician. He is best known as the lead singer of the late 1970's punk band The Sex Pistols.
Johnny Borrell is an English guitarist and singer, currently the front-man of the band Razorlight & part of "The Dalston Set".
Johnny Marr is a renowned musician, songwriter and singer, best known as the guitarist and co-songwriter with The Smiths.
Joni Mitchell's songs drawing from folk, rock & jazz helped define a generation. She is regarded as one of the greatest ever songwriters
Joy Division (originally named Warsaw), an English rock band formed in 1976 were one of the pioneers of the post-punk movement.
K.D Lang is that rare performer who, over 25 years has matured with a blend of country-rock stylings and playfully punk-like attitude.
Kasabian are an English rock band formed in Leicester in 1997, named after Linda Kasabian, a member of the Charles Manson cult.
Catherine Bush is an English singer-songwriter, musician and record producer, known for her eclectic and experimental music.
Keith Moon, The Who’s celebrated original drummer was noted for his unique style & eccentric, often self-destructive behaviour.
Keith Richards is an English guitarist, singer, songwriter, solo artist, and founding member of the rock band The Rolling Stones.
The Kinks, an English rock band formed by brothers Ray & Dave Davies are regarded as one of the most nfluential rock groups of their era.
Kiss is an American hard rock band formed in New York City in January 1973 by Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Peter Criss and Ace Frehley.
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band formed in London in 1968 & considered one of the most innovative & influential rock bands in history.
Lenny" Kravitz's 'retro' style of music incorporates elements of rock, blues, soul, R&B, funk, jazz, reggae, hard rock, pop, folk & ballads.
Leonard Cohen wa a Canadian singer, songwriter, poet & novelist. His work explores religion, politics, isolation, sexuality & relationships.
Liam Gallagher is best known as the charismatic, self-assured front man of Manchester Britpop band Oasis.
The Libertines are an English rock band, formed in London in 1997 by frontmen Carl Barât (vocals/guitar) and Pete Doherty (vocals/guitar).
Lou Reed was one of music's most influential icons. His music defied all definitions of genre & left a legacy that has inspired generations
Madonna transcended the term 'pop star' into a global icon & is regarded as the most influential female recording artist of all time.
Early shot of The Fall at Central Station Car Park, Manchester in the summer of 1978
Iconic image of David Gilmour playing his ‘The Black Strat’ with Pink Floyd live at The Rainbow Theatre, London on 4 November 1973.
Shooting promotional films for the singles Rain & Paperback Writer at Chiswick Park Gardens in May 1966
In the studio in Santa Monica, California in 1980, Bob Dylan is captured whilst leaning on his guitar case.
The Who are an English rock band that formed in 1964 & are considered one of the most influential rock bands of the 20th century.
The Stranglers are one of the most enduring bands to have come out of the punk scene with an uncompromising attitude and idiosyncratic style
Fleetwood Mac are one of the world's greatest rock bands having sold over more than 100 million records over the last 50 years
David Bowie was a leading figure in popular music for over five decades & regarded by critics & musicians as a true innovator.
Our contact sheet collection is a rare opportunity to look back at the hidden moments surrounding some of rocks most iconic images.
This print collection by Jill Furmanovsky contains images of Oasis on-the-road, onstage and recording in the studio during their zenith.
Jill Furmanovsky is one of the greatest ever rock & roll photographers with a huge archive of iconic shots of the world's best music artists
