- Level Foundation
- Duration 13 hours
- Course by University of Rochester
-
Offered by
About
This course, part 2 of a 2-course sequence, examines the history of rock, primarily as it unfolded in the United States, from the early 1970s to the early 1990s. This course covers the music of Led Zeppelin, the Allman Brothers, Carole King, Bob Marley, the Sex Pistols, Donna Summer, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Prince, Metallica, Run-DMC, and Nirvana, and many more artists, with an emphasis both on cultural context and on the music itself. We will also explore how developments in the music business and in technology helped shape the ways in which styles developed. Emerging out of the experimental and ambitious years of late-60s psychedelia, rock splintered into a variety of styles in the 1970s as the music business continued to expand. By the end of the decade, punk and disco had challenged the excesses of the hippie aesthetic, as rock became more commercially streamlined and radio friendly. The emergence and rise of MTV transformed pop music and propelled the careers of Michael jackson and Madonna, while heavy metal and hip hop dominated the late 1980s. Nirvana leads alt-rock's return to simplicity in the early 1990s.Modules
Introduction to History of Rock, Part 2
1
Videos
- Intro
About the Course
3
Readings
- General Overview
- Syllabus
- Grading and Logistics
Course Pages
3
Readings
- Music Fundamentals
- General Overview
- About the Professor
Intro and Overview of the 70s
1
Videos
- Overview of the 1970s
British and American Blues Rock, and Southern Rock
2
Videos
- Blues Rock British Based
- American Blues Rock and Southern Rock
Progressive Rock and Jazz-Rock
2
Videos
- Progressive Rock
- Jazz-Rock
Theatrical Rock and Singer-Songwriters
2
Videos
- Theatrical Rock
- Singer-Songwriters
British and Canadian Singer-Songwriters and Country Rock
2
Videos
- British and Canadian Singer-Songwriters
- Country Rock
Black Pop and Motown in the 1970s
3
Videos
- Black Pop in the 1970s Intro
- Sly Stone and the Rise of Funk
- Motown in the 1970s
Philadelphia Sound, Blaxploitation Soundtracks, and James Brown George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic
3
Videos
- Philadelphia Sound
- Blaxploitation Soundtracks
- James Brown George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic
The Rise of Reggae and Disco
2
Videos
- The Rise of Reggae
- Disco
Review
1
Assignment
- The Growing Rock Monster (1970-77) and Black Pop, Reggae, and the Rise of Disco (1970-79)
Mainstream Rock 1975–80
2
Videos
- Module 3 Intro
- Mainstream Rock 1975–80
Continuities and Leaner Prog, Louder Singer-Songwriters
2
Videos
- Continuities
- Leaner Prog, Louder Singer-Songwriters
US Punk 1967-777
2
Videos
- US Punk 1967-75
- UK Punk 1974-77
American and British New Wave 1977-80 and Summarizing the 1970s
3
Videos
- American New Wave 1977-80
- British New Wave 1977-80
- Summarizing the 1970s
The Rise of MTV
2
Videos
- The Rise of MTV
- The Rise of MTV Part Two
Michael Jackson, Madonna, Prince and Janet Jackson
2
Videos
- Michael Jackson and Madonna
- Prince and Janet Jackson
MTV Success Stories, New Traditionalists, and New Wave
2
Videos
- MTV Success Stories
- New Traditionalists and New Wave
New Acts Old Styles, Blue-Eyed Soul, and Dinosaurs Adapt and Thrive
2
Videos
- New Acts Old Styles and Blue-Eyed Soul
- Dinosaurs Adapt and Thrive
Review
1
Assignment
- Mainstream Rock, Punk, and New Wave (1975-79) and I Want My MTV (1980-89)
Heavy Metal
3
Videos
- Module 5 Intro
- Heavy Metal Grows
- Heavy Metal Hits the Big Time
Metal Ambition and the Roots of Rap
2
Videos
- Metal Ambition
- The Roots of Rap
Rap Crosses Over and CNN for Black People
2
Videos
- Rap Crosses Over
- CNN for Black People
Punk Goes Hardcore and Indie Rock Underground
2
Videos
- Punk Goes Hardcore
- Indie Rock Underground
The Rise of Alternative
2
Videos
- Module 6 Intro
- The Rise of Alternative
Indie Rock and Extensions of Metal and Alternative
2
Videos
- Indie Rock
- Metal and Alternative Extensions
Hip-Hop in the 1990s and Classic Rock
2
Videos
- Hip-Hop in the 1990s
- Classic Rock
New Rock Traditions and Female Singer-Songwriters
2
Videos
- New Rock Traditions
- Female Singer-Songwriters
Teen Idols and Electronic Dance Music
2
Videos
- Teen Idols
- Electronic Dance Music – Conclusion
Review
1
Assignment
- Heavy Metal, Rap, and the Rise of Alternative Rock (1980-89) and Widening Gaps (the 1990s)
Auto Summary
Explore the rich history of rock music from the early 1970s to the early 1990s with this engaging course. You'll delve into the music of iconic artists like Led Zeppelin, Michael Jackson, and Nirvana, examining both cultural context and musical evolution. Led by Coursera, this foundational course spans 780 minutes and offers starter, professional, and paid subscription options. Ideal for music enthusiasts and history buffs alike, it covers the impact of technology and the music business on the development of various rock styles.

John Covach