British Music Culture

Between 1945-Present Day

1940’s

0The Second World War brought fast, frantic, (and often American) dance music

0Such as the boogie-woogie or jitterbug. 0Dances were held in church halls, village halls and

clubs

American Artist’s such as Bing Crosby were popular in Britain

1950’s

0Rock and Roll becoming increasingly popular0The emergence of American rock and roll as a major

component in popular music during the mid-1950s led to its emulation in Britain.

American Icon Elvis Presley’s Jailhouse Rock was received well to British consumers

1960’s

0 It was important to establish British youth and popular music culture was a key factor in the developments that led to the British Invasion of the mid-1960s.

0A musical movement of the mid-1960s, the British Invasion was composed of British rock-and-roll and beat groups whose popularity spread to the United States

1970’s

0The first big new sound of the 1970s was “Glam Rock”, the main figures of this were David Bowie, Elton John and Gary Glitter.

0With the bleak political backdrop these British bands brought a relief with their sequins, nail varnish and colourful hair.

0The punk movement of the late 1970s began in England. Great British bands of this scene were The Sex Pistols and The Clash.

1980’s

0Saw the rise of hip hop and rap music, with American influences powerful once again in the form of such groups as Run DMC

0 It also saw the rise and fall of the 'New Romantics', typified by groups like Adam and the Ants, who dressed as pirates and highway men and wore huge amounts of makeup.

1990’s

0Britpop0 This was the name given in the 1990s to a new wave

of successful British bands who made a big impact in the United States, as well as in England.

0The most successful have been Radiohead, Oasis, Blur, Pulp, Massive Attack and The Spice Girls.