Altwall: What is Hard Rock. Radio tagged Hard Rock

Hard rock (the first word translates as “heavy”) is a musical style that appeared in the 60s and gained greatest popularity in the 70s of the last century. What distinctive qualities does he have? Firstly, they are heavy and secondly, a fairly calm tempo, which cannot be said about heavy metal, which appeared a little later.

The origin of the style

It is believed that this style was founded by The Kinks, who released the simple song “You Really Got Me” in 1964. However, it was interesting because the musicians played fuzzed guitars. Just imagine: we might not have known anything about this style if it were not for the contribution of this group. Hard rock appeared precisely thanks to this band. Around the same time, there was an activity that performed music in the same style. But there was a hint of psychedelia in it. Also, teams that played blues began to come to the newly created style, for example, “Yardbirds”, as well as “Cream”.

early 70s

It should be noted that this direction developed most actively in the UK, and soon "Black Sabbath" was formed, " Deep Purple" And " Led Zeppelin". Soon such all-time hits as "Paranoid" and "In Rock" appeared.

The most successful album in the hard rock style was "Machine Head", which included a song that absolutely everyone knows now, it was called "Smoke On The Water". At the same time, a rather gloomy band from Birmingham, calling themselves "Black Sabbath", worked alongside their famous colleagues. This team also laid the foundation for a style called doom, which began to develop only ten years later. The 70s had barely begun when new hard rock bands appeared - " Uriah Heep", "Free", "Nazareth", "Atomic Rooster", "UFO", "Budgie", "Thin Lizzy", "Black Widow", "Status Quo", "Foghat". And these are not all the bands founded at this time. There were also groups among them that flirted with other styles (for example, "Atomic Rooster" and "Uriah Heep" did not shy away from progressive, "Foghat" and "Status Quo" played boogie, and "Free" gravitated towards blues rock).

But, be that as it may, they all played hard. In the USA, too, many people paid attention to this style. The groups "Bloodrock", "Blue Cheer", and also "Grand Funk Railroad" appeared there. The groups were not bad at all, but they did not achieve wide fame. But many still loved these groups. The hard rock they played set the hearts of their fans on fire.

Mid to late 70s

In the mid-70s, such wonderful bands as Montrose, Kiss and Aerosmith were founded. In addition, Alice Cooper, who performed shock rock, and Ted Nugent began to gain popularity. Followers of the style also began to appear from other countries: Australia brought to the stage the kings of hard rock and roll called “AC/DC”, Canada gave us “April Wine”, the rather melodic group “Scorpions” was born in Germany, and “Scorpions” were formed in Switzerland. Krokus".

But things weren't going very well for Deep Purple - they were going through a difficult period in their lives. Soon the group ceased to exist, but after this two wonderful groups were formed - "Rainbow", founded by R. Blackmore (later he gave birth to "Dio"), and "Whitesnake" - the brainchild of D. Coverdale. However, the end of the 70s could not be called a prosperous time for hard rock, since then they began to gain popularity new wave and punk. It is also important that the kings of style began to lose ground - “Deep Purple” no longer existed, “Black Sabbath” lost their leader and were unsuccessfully looking for a new one, nothing was heard about “Led Zeppelin” either, after he died

90s

The 90s were marked by widespread interest in alternative music, including grunge, and hard rock was relegated to the background at that time, although good bands occasionally appeared. The greatest interest was generated by the group "Guns N" Roses, which shocked the world with their song "Use Your Illusion", followed by the European groups "Gotthard" (Switzerland) and "Axel Rudi Pell" (Germany).

A little bit later…

Music in this style was performed later, but some bands, for example, Velvet Revolver and White Stripes, sounded a little different, there was an admixture of alternative, it was not pure hard rock. The groups are mostly foreign and did not try to adhere to any standards.

But the most devoted followers of the style, who have not forgotten the classical traditions, can be called “Answer”, “Darkness”, and also “Roadstar”, but the last two of them soon ceased to exist.

"Gorky Park"

Of the number of Russian representatives of hard rock, this group stands out most clearly. It was popular back in the USSR, the guys sang songs in English. In the 80s, the team became known in America, and soon it became the first domestic team to be shown on MTV. Many people remember such “tricks” of this group as Soviet symbols and folk clothing.

Performance with Scorpions, new album, video shooting, popularity in America

The Gorky Park collective appeared in 1987. 12 months later, the team sang on the same stage with the Scorpions when they were in St. Petersburg.

Soon after this, the guys began to call themselves in English - “Gorky Park”, and in 1989 the song of the same name was recorded interesting design- the letters G and P were written on it, resembling a hammer and sickle in shape. The group then flew to New York to make videos called "Bang!" and "My Generation". IN Western countries at that time, many were interested in the USSR, and the team fell in love with a wide range of Americans. And it’s not surprising, because it was the best Russian hard rock. The bands playing in this style in our homeland could be counted on one hand, and Gorky Park undoubtedly beat them all. Their success was enormous.

"Music Festival of the World"

“Gorky Park” began to travel both throughout their native country and throughout the states. In 1989, the group performed their songs at the famous capital “ Music festival world,” then they were heard by one hundred and fifty thousand music lovers.

Bon Jovi, Ozzy Osbourne, Motley Crue, Skid Row, Cinderella and Scorpions performed on the same stage. Of course, this was a great event for the group; the guys were happy that they were able to sing together with such legendary musicians. Later they recalled this festival as one of best events in the band's history, and they were right.

Touring Europe

Two years later, the group received the status of the most successful new international team. At the dawn of the 90s, the group successfully toured Sweden, Germany, Denmark, and Norway. These countries have not seen such a wonderful group for a long time. The hard rock they performed was simply magnificent. Each performance was sold out, people came in droves to listen to good music. And no one was left disappointed, everyone was delighted with the performance of this group. Could you really expect anything else from a team where each member was truly talented? Therefore, it is not surprising that the group achieved success.

“Moscow Calling”, departure of Alexander Minkov, breakup of the group

However, after some time, Russia ceased to captivate the minds of people in the West, and they began to forget about Gorky Park in America. Soon the band released the album “Moscow Calling”, and began touring around our country.

1998 was marked by the departure of Alexander Minkov from the team, who came up with the name “Alexander Marshal” and began singing separately from the group. After this, Gorky Park began to worry about better times, and soon the team actually ceased to exist. However, Yan Yanenkov, together with Alexei Belov, continued to perform old compositions. They began to call themselves “Belov Park”.

But former members The once famous group did not forget about each other and sometimes got together to perform. Well, that's not a bad idea. Their fans were happy to see the newly assembled team and listen to their favorite songs. Each time they sang them together with their idols, wondering if this was the last performance or if they would have another opportunity to hear the legendary group.

Hard rock bands: list

To summarize, we should list the bands playing in this style. Just for ease of perception.

Jimi Hendrix, Cream, Yardbirds, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Nazareth, Atomic Rooster, Uriah Heep, Free, Thin Lizzy, UFO, Black Widow, Status Quo, Foghat, Budgie, Bloodrock, Blue Cheer, Grand Funk Railroad, Montrose, Kiss, Aerosmith, AC/DC, Scorpions, April Wine, Krokus, Rainbow, Dio, Whitesnake, Guns N" Roses, Gotthard, Axel Rudi Pell, Velvet Revolver, White Stripes, Answer, Darkness, Roadstar.

Russian groups: Gorky Park, Bes of Illusions, Moby Dick, Voice of the Prophet.

In front of you is the most successful groups. Hard rock is performed by completely different and at the same time somewhat similar groups.

Hard rock(English hard rock, literally hard rock or hard rock) is a genre of rock music characterized by the central role of the lead guitarist and compositions built on riffs. Hard rock originated in the 1960s and flourished in the 1970s with bands such as Deep Purple, Black Sabbath and Rainbow. Heavy metal branched off from hard rock in the mid-70s, giving rise to all “metal” music. The term "hard rock" is sometimes also used as a hypernym for "heavy" genres such as heavy metal, grunge, etc., to distinguish them from pop rock.

Characteristics
What may be perceived by the listener as “heaviness” in hard rock is achieved, in particular, due to the specific sound of the electric guitar (with effects such as distortion and overdrive) and the work of the rhythm section. "Classic" hard rock took shape in the late 1960s and early 1970s in the UK. Classic hard rock differs from heavy metal in being more melodic

The sound.

Musical roots
In the formation of hard rock vital role played by the psychedelic wave that swept the USA and Europe by the end of the 1960s, and enriched rock music with many new techniques - musicians were looking for new means of expressing their feelings, emotions and thoughts. In the mid-60s, in the course of endless experiments with sound, a sound production method appeared in which the amplification equipment was overloaded, resulting in a powerful growling sound - the so-called. overdrive. Many performers began to use this effect, but bring it to foreground It was the hard rock bands that succeeded, which became associated with the overloaded sound of guitars.

The origins of hard rock were not only psychedelia. Thus, the members of Black Sabbath at the very beginning of the group’s existence intended to play jazz, the first album of Led Zeppelin can be classified as pure blues rock, and in the recordings of Deep Purple the first line-up shows a passion for classical music(for example, the album “Concerto for Group and Orchestra” - “Concert for a Group With Orchestra” - was recorded as a classic symphonic work, mixed with the rock sound of the band itself).

Some works of hard rock groups can also be classified as progressive rock, since the “heaviness” of the sound was sometimes accompanied by complex musical parts, lengthy virtuoso solos and improvisations (especially at concerts). An illustrative example in this regard is British group Wishbone Ash, whose long, multi-part compositions straddle the stylistic line between progressive and heavy rock, and their signature "double-solo" guitar technique has inspired many other hard rock and later heavy metal bands. Another example would be early works Deep Purple, in which the standard set musical means expressiveness, such as virtuosic improvisations and lengthy solos, is expanded by the active use symphony orchestra and complex arrangements. In the concert performances of some bands there are long (more than 10 minutes) instrumental fragments with an abundance of solos and improvisations (for example, on the 1972 Deep Purple live album “Made in Japan”).

Sound and instruments
As in psychedelia, the dominant instrument of hard rock is the electric guitar, but keyboards (especially the Hammond organ) are also often used along with it. Hard rock also adopted long solo instrument parts from psychedelia, but now they can be performed not only by the leading instruments, but also by the rhythm section - bass guitar and drums. The overall increase in the value of the rhythm section becomes characteristic feature genre. The well-coordinated work of the drummer and bass guitarist began to play a much greater role, since now they, along with the lead guitarist and keyboard player, participated in the process of improvisation and had to maintain a dense, “driving” sound.

One of the main melodic techniques is the riff technique - short, repeating musical parts of the guitar. Riffs became a hallmark of hard rock and, later, heavy metal. In the most simplified version, riffs are played throughout the composition, and support the rhythm section, often falling in unison with the line of the bass guitar. Riffs are the rhythmic basis for vocals or another solo instrument, if there is one in the group. With small lineups (guitar, bass and drums), the performance of riffs is usually interrupted only for the performance of an electric guitar solo. As an example, we can cite the extremely famous and recognizable and, as a result, hackneyed riff from the composition “Smoke On The Water” by Deep Purple. According to fans, thanks to this riff, the composition has become an “anthem” of heavy rock music. Other most famous and characteristic hard rock riffs are Led Zeppelin's "Heartbreaker," Iron Man» Black Sabbath.

Hard rock (English hard rock, literally heavy rock or hard rock) is a genre of rock music characterized by the central role of the lead guitarist and compositions built on riffs. Hard rock originated in the 1960s... Read all Hard rock (English hard rock, literally heavy rock or hard rock) is a genre of rock music characterized by the central role of the lead guitarist and compositions built on riffs. Hard rock originated in the 1960s, took on familiar forms in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and its heyday came in the early 1970s, with the participation of bands such as Deep Purple, Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin. Heavy metal branched off from hard rock by the mid-70s, giving rise to all “metal” music. The term "hard rock" is sometimes also used as a hypernym for "heavy" genres such as heavy metal, grunge, etc., to distinguish them from pop rock. What may be perceived by the listener as “heaviness” in hard rock is achieved, in particular, due to the specific sound of the electric guitar (with effects such as distortion and overdrive) and the work of the rhythm section. Origins B musically, the “heavier” nature of rock music began in the mid-1960s by British and American groups, including The Kinks, Cream, The Rolling Stones, The Yardbirds, The Who and virtuoso rock guitarist Jimi Hendrix. Elements of hard rock are present in such famous compositions as You Really Got Me (The Kinks) and White Room (Cream). The song "You Really Got Me" is considered the first to use the riffing technique, which is a characteristic feature of the hard rock sound. Heyday, early 1970s By the early 70s, hard rock bands emerged that are considered the de facto founders of the genre and are the undisputed authorities of hard rock: Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath and Uriah Heep. Following them, other groups began to appear, adopting musical techniques“classics”, or already existing groups were stylistically moving towards “heavier”. Among them are Status Quo, Nazareth, Queen, Scorpions, AC/DC, UFO, Grand Funk Railroad and many others. The hard rock of the 1970s laid the foundation for the later emergence of heavy metal and metal music in general. 1980s, Hard 'n' Heavy In the 1980s, at the intersection of hard rock and heavy metal, a commercially successful movement emerged, which is sometimes called hard 'n' heavy. Then the new heavy rock bands (Guns N "Roses, Mötley Crüe, Def Leppard, Van Halen ), as well as representatives of classic hard rock of the 1970s with their new works (former Black Sabbath vocalist Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake group of former Deep Purple vocalist David Coverdale) and groups that debuted around the mid-1970s (Aerosmith, Judas Priest, Scorpions, Krokus, etc.). In parallel, heavier styles of metal developed, taking their origins from hard rock (thrash metal, speed metal and others). Musical roots In the formation of hard rock, the most important role was played by the psychedelic wave, which swept the USA and Europe by the end of the 1960s, and enriched rock music with many new techniques - musicians were looking for new means of expressing their feelings, emotions and thoughts. In the mid-60s, in the course of endless experiments with sound, a sound production method appeared in which the amplification equipment was overloaded, resulting in a powerful growling sound - the so-called. overdrive. Many performers began to use this effect, but it was hard rock bands that managed to bring it to the forefront, which became associated with the overloaded sound of guitars. The origins of hard rock were not only psychedelia. Thus, the members of Black Sabbath at the very beginning of the group’s existence intended to play jazz, the first album of Led Zeppelin can be classified as pure blues rock, and in the recordings of Deep Purple of the first line-up one can see a passion for classical music (for example, the album Concerto for Group and Orchestra - “Concert for group and orchestra" - was recorded as a classical symphonic piece mixed with the rock sound of the group itself). Some works of hard rock groups can also be classified as progressive rock, since the “heaviness” of the sound was sometimes accompanied by complex musical parts, lengthy virtuoso solos and improvisations (especially at concerts). In this regard, the example of the British group Wishbone Ash is indicative, whose long, multi-part compositions are on the stylistic border between progressive and heavy rock, and their “signature” guitar technique of “double soloing” inspired many other hard rock groups, and later heavy rock. metal Other examples include the early work of Deep Purple and Uriah Heep, in which the standard set of musical expressions, such as virtuoso improvisations and lengthy solos, are expanded by the use of a symphony orchestra or complex arrangements. In the concert performances of some groups there are long (more than 10 minutes) instrumental fragments with an abundance of solos and improvisations (for example, on Deep Purple's 1972 live album Made in Japan). Sound and Instruments As in psychedelia, the dominant instrument of hard rock is the electric guitar, but keyboards (especially the Hammond organ) are often used along with it. Hard rock also adopted long solo instrument parts from psychedelia, but now they can be performed not only by the leading instruments, but also by the rhythm section - bass guitar and drums. The general increase in importance of the rhythm section becomes a characteristic feature of the genre. The well-coordinated work of the drummer and bass guitarist began to play a much greater role, since now they, along with the lead guitarist and keyboard player, participated in the process of improvisation and had to maintain a dense, “driving” sound. One of the main melodic techniques is the riff technique - short, repeating musical parts of the guitar. Riffs became a hallmark of hard rock and, later, heavy metal. In the most simplified version, riffs are played throughout the composition, and support the rhythm section, often falling in unison with the line of the bass guitar. Riffs are the rhythmic basis for vocals or another solo instrument, if there is one in the group. With small lineups (guitar, bass and drums), the performance of riffs is usually interrupted only for the performance of an electric guitar solo. As an example, we can cite the extremely famous and recognizable and, as a result, hackneyed riff from the composition Smoke On The Water by Deep Purple. According to fans, thanks to this riff, the composition has become an “anthem” of heavy rock music. Other most famous and characteristic hard rock riffs are Led Zeppelin's Heartbreaker, Black Sabbath's Iron Man or Scorpions' Rock You Like A Hurricane. Collapse

One of the fundamental styles of music that turned its entire development in a new direction was. The genre was formed more than 40 years ago, but still remains popular and in demand on the music scene. Why is it so attractive to listeners of different ages?

Hard rock and its features

From the first days of its existence, the genre began to stand out significantly among the variety of musical styles. The main reason This became a heavy sound, which was previously not typical for rock bands. Its foundations lie in two things:

1 rhythm section - teams like Led Zeppelin added bass and drums higher value, providing support for the main rhythm of the composition;

2 riffs - they appeared back in the mid-60s, but it was hard rock that gave them key importance, making them a mandatory component of every composition.

Hard rock: origins

The style was formed in the early seventies with the release of the first albums of Black Sabbath and the first works of the golden lineup of Deep Purple. However, the first ideas appeared long before this. In fact, its origins included the British Invasion groups The Kinks and The Who, as well as representatives of psychedelic rock, which include Jimi Hendrix and Cream. It was from their sound that the first famous riffs emerged, which became the basis of the genre.

In fact, the first composition that set the basis for the formation of "a" was You Really Got Me by the Kinks. A little later, their idea of ​​​​using riffs in the structure of songs was developed by Jimi Hendrix. His debut work had a particular influence on the development of heavy rock. Are you Experienced?

The basics of the hard sound can also be heard in the work of Cream - Sunshine of your love. However, these groups were not the founders of the genre. In fact, the main group that personifies the diversity of the sound palette of hard rock is Led Zeppelin. Their sound was unusual for the late sixties - heavy riffs, an abundance of solo parts, including for the rhythm section, high vocals. These signs formed the basis of the traditional understanding of style foreign hard rock.

The early albums of two other hard rock giants - Black Sabbath and Deep Purple - finally helped shape the genre. What is noteworthy is that all the founders are English. In America, the genre began to be popularized a little later.

It was these three groups that identified the main directions in sound, which has its origins in many styles of music:

  • classic (Deep Purple);
  • blues (Led Zeppelin, Nazareth);
  • jazz (which was originally the focus of Black Sabbath), as well as:
  • psychedelic, which actually became its primary basis (Jimmy Hendrix, Steppenwolf, Iron Butterfly);
  • folk (Led Zeppelin and Thin Lizzy often turned to it in their melodies. Vivid examples are Battle of evermore and Whiskey in the jar).

By the way, interesting fact: in the West there is no distinction between the styles of hard rock and heavy metal, which is carried out in countries former USSR. For Americans Deep Purple and Iron Maiden They actually play the same style of music.

In fact (like its brother heavy metal) it became the basis of all genres of heavy music. It was on the riffs of Ritchie Blackmore and Tony Iommi that the next generation of guitarists grew up - Eddie Van Halen, Dave Mustaine and Kirk Hammett.

The best hard rock bands

All the bands that contributed to the development of the genre should be divided into founders: Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple and Black Sabbath) and successors (Scorpions, AC/DC, Uriah Heep, Kiss, Aerosmith, Van Halen, Motorhead, Bon Jovi). Read more about it at the link.

The best hard rock albums

A good half of the work of groups that emerged at the turn of the sixties and seventies can easily be classified as influential discs in the history of the genre. However, the most significant ones that had a special influence on hard rock or cemented its status as a commercially successful style are:


This list shows stations that are used with the tag Hard Rock. Tags will help you find the most similar stations.

  • Harte saite (Radio Bob)

    Bullet For My Valentine - Hearts Burst Into Fire

    Harte saite (Radio Bob) - Online radio Hard rock, and to be even more precise, heavy rock and heavy metal. The most listenable rock. In rotation: Slayer, Iron Maiden, Rammstein, Manowar, Bullet For My Valentine, Slipnot and many other rock music teams

  • Loud & Heavy (UNDERGROUND.FM)

    Acid Drinkers (Pl) - Solid Rock

    Loud & Heavy (UNDERGROUND.FM) - This is a small non-commercial online radio of Heavy Metal and Rock. Latest hits in the field of heavy metal and hard rock music

  • Rock and Blues (Audiophile Radio)

    Rock and Blues (Audiophile Radio) - online radio Classic style Blues, Bluegrass and Classic Rock. Beautiful blues songs of yesteryear

  • Heavy Rock (ARfm)

    Richard Norris - Saturday Morning Breakfast Show

    Heavy Rock (ARfm) - This is an online radio of heavy rock music. An exceptional selection of hard rock on free internet radio. In rotation on the radio are such projects as: Metallica, Slipknot, Linkin Park, The 69 Eyes, Dead by April, Dead Letter Circus and many others

  • Metal Heart

    Finntroll - Trollhammaren

    Metal Heart - metal internet radio. Collected here exclusively new collection music for those who are into metal and hard rock. In rotation: Darkwave, EBM, Industrial, Mittelalter, Metal

  • Hard Rock Hell

    Light The Torch - The Safety Of Disbelief

    Hard Rock Hell - The best classic Metal, Hard Rock and Punk music is in rotation on this online radio.

  • KSHP-DB

    Madame - Mayhem Monster

    KSHP-DB - metal and rock in the styles of Active Rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Brutal Death, Deathmetal, Goregrind and Grindcore

  • Hard As A Rock (onAir Tunes Radio)

    Cinderella - Nobody's Fool

    Hard As A Rock (onAir Tunes Radio) - Online radio. Listen to the radio and choose the best sound quality. Tune in to the music on Hard As A Rock (onAir Tunes Radio).

  • The Metal Mixx

    Cat Stevens - Two Fine People

    The Metal Mixx - this radio station plays nothing else but the best Hard Rock and Heavy Metal music

  • Hard Rock Cafe (Metal Express Radio)

    Annihilator - Death In Your Eyes

    Hard Rock (Metal Express Radio) - Online radio of Hard Rock. New items foreign hard rock online

  • Pure Metal

    Sinergy - Venomous Vixens

    Pure Metal - The best online metal music station. About 2000 listeners, about 70 streams. One of the largest metal radios