-
Period: to
The Timeline of Pop Music
-
Crooners
Crooners were singers, usually male, who sang sentimental songs in a low, soft-pitched voice. They helped pave the way for music and were some of the first to make songs that give us the sound we know today in the pop music industry. They began to emerge in the early 1920's. -
Utilization Of The Synthesizer
Although the Synthesizer was said to be invented and sold in the 1950s, many artists did not utilize it until much later. The Synthesizer was widely popular in 70s and 80s music because you could use artificial sound to make something new. One of the earliest uses in pop music specifically was Vera Lynn's recording of "We'll Meet Again" in 1939 way before the technology was said to become widespread. -
Beatlemania
Before boybands became popular in the late 1990s, the Beatles paved the way in the 1960s. On February 9, 1964, The Beatles made their first ever television appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. Beatlemania rippled throughout the world and captivated many teens, especially young girls, just as boybands did in the 1990s. They were the first group to have this effect. -
1970s in Pop Music
The 1970s saw the emergence of new music genres including disco and glam rock. Artists like ABBA, Queen, and David Bowie incorporated these new sounds while also having the iconic pop sound that people loved. Many of their songs are still loved by people today. Some notable songs include ABBA's "Dancing Queen", Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody", and David Bowie's "Ziggy Stardust" -
The Debut Of MTV
MTV (Music Television) began in 1981 as a 24-hour platform for music videos. By the mid-1980s, it had a noticeable effect on movies and television as well as the music industry. -
Live Aid
Live Aid was a massive bicontinental pop concert with the purpose of raising money for Ethiopian famine relief. Nearly 1.9 billion people tuned in from all over the world and from nearly 150 different countries. Because of the efforts, nearly $140M was raised. Every artist who performed at Live Aid performed unpaid as well. -
Girl Groups
Much like boybands, girl groups became widely popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s. By having girl groups, it established a specific style of performing that listeners associated with women. Some popular girl groups include Destiny's Child, The Spice Girls, and TLC. -
Boybands
The emergence of Boybands in the late 1990s such as NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys captured millions of fans and dominated the music charts. Their catchy songs, synchronized dance moves, and friendly personalities made them idols for many young people. -
Music Festivals
Music festivals such as Coachella and Glastonbury allow artists to perform and grow an audience. Music festivals are also responsible for many artists' major revenue streams. -
Streaming Platforms
iTunes was released on January 9th, 2001, and was the first significant streaming service. It made music easily accessible without having to buy a CD or cassette tape. The convenience made it appealing to the public. It allowed people to browse through different playlists and artists along with being able to download songs from the comfort of their home. This gave artists more publicity and helped expand their audience. -
American Idol
The most significant factor of American Idol was its ability to create instant pop stars.Contestants like Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, and Jennifer Hudson competed on the show and went on to have very impactful careers in the music industry, making the show highly influential. -
Michael Jackson's Tragic Death
Michael Jackson, one of the most famous musicians of all time died unexpectedly at his home in Los Angeles, California. He was known for his many hits such as "Thriller", "Bad", and "Beat It", and was influential with both his music and dance moves. His style influenced many artists we know today as well. -
The Release of 1989
1989 was one of the most influential pop albums of the 2010s. Impressively, this was Taylor's first album marketed as pop, and it became the most awarded pop album of all time. Some notable accomplishments include 3 Grammy wins, certified 9 times platinum, and charted for more than 400 weeks on the Billboard 200. -
The Impact of Tiktok
Many users of TikTok often discover new music by scrolling and utilizing the app, helping many older songs resurface and even appear on the charts once more. Many pop artists also receive more streams this way. -
The Eras Tour
Taylor Swift's "The Eras Tour" began in early 2023 and isn't expected to end until December 2024 with the possibility of even more shows being added. In just 60 shows, The Eras Tour became the first tour to surpass $1 billion in total revenue, which surpassed Elton John's "Farewell Yellow Brick Road" which made $939.1 million in 330 shows from 2018 to 2023. This makes The Eras Tour the most record-breaking tour of the decade.