Feature series on "The Secret History of Technology and Pop Music," traced partly through the story of an Indiana company that stopped making pianos and started cutting 78 rpm records using the talents of famous jazz musicians and others.

Information on the popular style of music called Motown that developed from a recording company of the same name.

Offers interesting biographical details on jazz musician, Louis Armstrong, a 1990 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Includes a timeline of key events and essential songs list.

Contains an extensive biography on Alan Freed as well as several audio clips.

Provided is background information and a more detailed timeline on the history of the Jimi Hendrix Experience. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1992.

Considered one of the greatest vocal groups of the 1950s and 1960s, The Drifters were inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988 and have three songs on the list of the top 500 most influential songs.

This lesson plan introduces students to the blues. The origin and development of the blues is explored as well as its distinctive structure.

A good source of information about rock music in the 1970s, including band spotlights and a photo gallery, plus much more.

MSNBC presents their list of "the ten best rock bands ever." Purely subjective, but fun reading.

Good resource for classic rock music books, featuring reviews, articles, editorials, and music. Offers summaries of the books.

This personal website of Ray Charles contains a very interesting autobiography, including discussions with the artist on how he writes and arranges music in his head, how soul music and rock and roll originated, and much more.

The official site for Elvis Presley, from Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. Read a biography, an overview of his achievements, frequently asked questions, and what notable others have said of him. Good explanations of the roots of his...

Features biographies of classic rock bands along with rock history and lists of top 40 songs, best selling records, and much more classic rock trivia.

Features information and history of "The Band", one of the greatest rock bands of the 1970s who started out as Bob Dylan's back-up group.

This site explains the origins of Tex-Mex music and gives background on its leading contributers.

Aimed primarily at the young guitarist, this column addresses how to begin writing your own songs. There is some good advice on how to begin to think of the structure of your song as opposed to just thinking of a few riffs.

A great songwriter and performer of folk, country, and rock and roll music, Neil Young has had a successful career both with groups such as "Buffalo Springfield", "Crosby, Stills and Nash", and "Crazy Horse" and also as a solo artist....

Provides biographical details on soul musicians, Ike and Tina Turner, 1991 inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Includes a timeline of key events and essential songs list.

The Rock & Roll of Fame in Cleveland profiles the life and work of soul singer Sam Cooke.

A site showing some of the worlds greatest piano players ever. Learn about famous pianist from all genres of music.

In the late 1960s, when the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Jefferson Airplane and other rock genres were raging, Carlos Santana and his band Santana introduced the music scene to a new Latin-based rock sound featuring an Afro-Cuban beat. This...

Written for an audience accustomed to rock, this is a good history of Jazz, from the late 1800's, when the form supposedly took shape, to recommended recordings and books.

Gives basic information about the harmonica in addition to tips for purchasing and playing one

This PBS site provides background information on the events happenning around the US that might have attributed to communist scare brought on by the Federal Theater's musical "The Cradle Will Rock".