PBS
Pbs: Broadway: The American Musical: Operetta
As part of a larger look at the American musical, this brief look at the popularity of the operetta in the last part of the 19th century discusses why it was so popular with the middle class. Included is a short video that discusses...
Library of Congress
Loc: American Variety Stage: Bijou Theater
Musical theater and vaudeville were popular in the Gilded Age. Here is a theater program from the Bijou Theater in Boston. Leaafing through the pages gives a great slice of life at the time, not only because of the playbills, but also...
NPR: National Public Radio
Npr: Present at the Creation
A compilation of stories from National Public Radio about the creation of new and extraordinary objects, films, and artwork that have shaped and continue to shape American popular culture. Explore everything from the hamburger, to...
Other
Unstrung History of American Guitar: The Guitar and the Birth of American Music
The guitar in America began as an instrument used in popular music in the city and then branched out to minstrel shows, ragtime, and even jazz. Read about the history of this ubiquitous instrument and how it took on its American character.
Other
Smithsonian Institution: Musica Del Pueblo
Musica del Pueblo is a full-featured resource that explores the traditions of Latino music. Using a colorful mural titled "Song of Unity" as a navigation tool, visitors can watch videos of performances, listen to different varieties of...
Other
American Film Institute: 100 Years . . . 100 Songs
With this list, the American Film Institute presents its choices for the 100 greatest songs in film. The list includes choices from popular films such as The Sound of Music, Cabaret and The Producers.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Sti Lesson 32: The John Travolta Syndrome
The songs and movies of modern times have had a major influence on fashion. Coincidentally, many of these important fashion-influencing films of recent times had one thing in common: John Travolta. From the white leisure suits ofSaturday...
Musicals 101
Musicals101.com: Musical Vaudeville and Burlesque
This site from Musicals101.com explains the emergence of vaudeville and burlesque from the middle class needs of industrialized America. Part II explains what makes up a vaudeville act.
Other
Fifties Web
Explore popular culture of the 1950s and 1960s. Learn about the cars, tv shows, music, fashion, pop history, slang, and celebrities of those eras.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Sti Lesson 36: Cross Genre Comparisons in Hip Hop
From being viewed as a fad, hip-hop's commercial success has allowed it to permeate virtually all aspects of popular culture. By critically analyzing hip-hop music and comparing it with established music forms, the cultural relevance,...
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Collaboration of Sites, Sounds: Wikis to Catalog Protest Songs
This instructional activity makes a connection to popular culture by asking students to research and analyze contemporary and historic protest songs and to catalogue them in a class wiki.
Other
National Geographic Channel: Rule the 90s
Expand your trivia knowledge, and explore the news, culture, music, television and film of the 1990s.
PBS
Pbs: American Roots Music: Lesson Two: Desegregating the Airwaves: Blues on the Radio
This lesson deals with the emergence of the blues as a form of popular music on the radio, beginning in Helena, Arkansas in 1940. Students will understand and discuss the relationship between technological and social change, discuss how...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: America Rocks and Rolls
Read a brief history of rock and roll and its roots. See why this form of music shook the establishment and shattered the idea of conformity.
Digital History
Digital History: Avant Garde
Synopsis of the huge cultural shifts that occurred in America in the 1920s in art, music, literature, and among intelligentsia.
Colby College
Spanish Language & Culture: Ojala Que Llueva Cafe
An exploration of the Dominican Republic based on the popular song "Ojala que Llueve" by Dominican artist Juan Luis Guerra. With an image gallery and Spanish grammar exercises along with music, this is a great place to learn about the...
OpenStax
Open Stax: The Jazz Age: Redefining the Nation 1919 1929: A New Generation
Looks at the new morality that emerged in the 1920s. It changed the role of women and the perception of African Americans, the latter facilitated by the Harlem Renaissance and its impact on the music and dance of the Jazz Age. Also...
Other
Afro Disc: Africa Music Reviews
A radio host talks about new music from West Africa. While profiling four popular artists, the substance in this site describes the flavor of the popular music.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Flower Power
An interesting look at the counterculture of the 1960s and 1970s and what influence it had on popular culture.
Musicals 101
Cyber Encyclopedia of Musicals: The First Musical Comedies
Find out about Ned Harrigan and Tony Hart, a British musical duo, who brought musical comedies to the New York state.
Other
Bing Crosby
Biography of Bing Crosby. In-depth article on singing and acting career. Crosby entertained the troops during World War II as well as recording one of the most popular war songs, "White Christmas."
Library of Congress
Loc: Performing Arts Encyclopedia: Take Me Out to the Ball Game
Did you know that the song "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" is over one hundred years old? Find out why this song has enjoyed lasting popularity. Includes an image of the artwork for the sheet music of this song.
University of Maryland
Romantic Circles Praxis Series: Immortals, Vampires, Ghosts: Byronic Heroes
Essay considers modern-day examples of Byron's heroic ideal found in the popular culture of movies, music, popular novels, and television.
Other
The Sam Shepard Website
Shepard website put together by Bucknell University professor. Provides valuable links to Shepard & pop culture, music, biographies, films & published works.