Early Rock
Rock and roll, the new standard, was a fascinating sound, utilizing points from many different genres. Rock and roll had a pronounced and obvious beat which made dancing along easy, appealing to energetic teenagers.
The electric guitar in the midst of the birth of rock was at the center of it all. It served not only to amplify the old sound, but create a new distorted sound that rock and roll thrived on. Many songs were based on that dirty type of sound.
The Beatles, influencial rock band of the 60s. Credit to Britannica
With the beginning of the Beatles, rock music began to gain its own sound, completely separate from other genres. It was no longer a mix of blues and country, but rather it was rock - just rock. The amplifier became an outlet of creative expression for guitarists.
Jimi Hendrix, legendary guitar player, performing live. Credit to Britannica
Jimi Hendrix, known for being the greatest guitarist to have ever lived, aided in solidifying rock as its own genre. Hendrix focused on technical skills with his instrument, the electric guitar, which was evident from his incredibly precise bends to his long improvised solos. Jimi also pioneered the use of the amplifier as an instrument, pushing the boundaries of sound.
Jimi Hendrix's famous rendition of the Star Spangled Banner. Here, you can really hear the distortion and drive as he plays on stage in front of a roaring crowd.
As we’ll see, rock music continued to evolve over the decades, moving into the classic era. Distortion and effects continued to grow to the point where American music became defined by them.