Editorial Development: Bonnie Brook Communications

The Roots of Popular American Music
Like the population of the United States, the music has also reflected the melting-pot diversity of the 
country and its history. In the 1700s and 1800s, country music tunes originating from Great Britain’s Celtic 
regions came over with immigrants who ended up in the South. Fiddle tunes had lyrics added, and the 
style began to change with Appalachian folk influences. The banjo, derived from African traditions that 
also flourished in the rural South, further influenced early country music. Later on, the guitar, popular in 
many musical styles, became a primary instrument in country music, as did the steel guitar, popular in 
Hawaiian music in the last century. There are now regional styles of country music.
Rock-and-roll music arose in the mid-twentieth century, also from several sources, including early 
country music itself. African American rhythm and blues from the South was another early source, and 
eventually rock groups from Great Britain in the 1960s had a profound influence on the style and 
popularity. The social revolutionary spirit of the urbanized 1960s went hand in hand with the young musical 
population, who often connected rock songs and concerts to political change. Relying on electric guitar 
and also on drums, rock music pounded its way forward, branching off in many directions.
Despite the differences in style and development, both remain popular to this day, along with other 
styles of American and World music. One of the many benefits of such a diverse culture is that there is 
always something for everyone!
SKILL PRACTICE
Read each question. Fill in the bubble next to the correct answer.
 1. What do country and rock-and-roll music have
in common?
A 
Both were developed at the same time.
B 
Both borrowed tunes from folk music.
C 
Both were developed in urban regions.
D 
Both came from music of other places
and times.