Hard Rock

Hard rock is a form of rock & roll that finds its roots in the early 1960s garage rock and draws from jazz, blues, rock and roll, and other influences like folk in the case of famed hard rock artist Led Zeppelin who's main writer and composer Jimmy Page was a famous studio musician and expert guitar player who was interested in Celtic and folk influences. These diverse influence can be clearly heard in one of the most influential albums of this style Led Zeppelin 4. Budgie, AC/DC, The Stooges, MC5, Prong, Jimi Hendrix and Deep Purple are also classic examples of early hard rock.

Jimi Hendrix, one of hard rocks founding fathers may arguably be the most influential guitarist and musician of the era and possible all time. His album Electric Ladyland elevated the genre to what many consider to be its highest levels. The music hinted at the future of rock and over 30 years later it is still one of the most influential guitar albums of all times.

This genre achieved its highest popularity between 1969 and 1985 but is still alive and well in other genres in which it has been absorbed. Hard rock was a important departure from the simple blues format used by most of the early rock and roll groups. Hard Rock is a style of music that has been a springboard for many other genres including heavy metal, alternative, grunge, rock, nu metal, college rock, post rock, emo, and many other genres which have incorporated the themes and musical influences of the genre.

Songs in this genre often use pop hooks and melodies with heavy chords and pentatonic scales and can range from short radio friendly songs to long raucous songs which cover most of an album side. Jazz, Blues, and rock & roll combine within the genre and bands typically play loud and anthem driven rock although there is much variation in the genre. Punk rock, Gothic rock, heavy metal, Industrial music, funk, and fusion are all variations of music drawn from the same roots showing how differently music can be interpreted and reinvented.