2. 1920’s
The 19020’s was the decade that marked the beginning of the modern music era. A number of independent record
labels also began to appear during the 1920’s. The record labels helped to expand the modern music industry because
they took risks and were more adventurous with their song and artist choices.
At the beginning of 1923, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) required licensing fees to
play their music on the radio. The modern music industry began in the 1920’s with all of these new technologies that
were created and used to make and distribute music. The music world was wide open making way for the
popularization of genres like: Jazz, Blues, Broadway and Dance Bands.
Dance Bands: Jazz Blues Broadway
Paul Whiteman Louis Armstrong Mamie Smith Eddie Cantor
Nat Shilkret Duke Ellington Bessie Smith Sophie Tucker
Ben Bernie Red Hot Poppers Victoria Spivey Helen Morgan
Ben Selvin Fats Waller Sara Martin Marilyn Miller
Isham Jones Count Basie Jimmie Rodgers Al Jolson
Fletcher Henderson King Oliver Ma Rainey Florence Mills
3. 1930’s & 1940’s
Even during ‘Hard Times’ and wartime, people need to be entertained. The American people in the 1030s
and 1940s were no exception.
In the 1930s, big bands and swing music were popular, with Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman and Glenn
Miller popular band leaders. In the 1940s, the bands started to break up, and band singers like Frank Sinatra
and Sarah Vaughan went out on their own.
The period between 1935 and 1946 is when big band swing music reached its peak and was the most
popular music in America. Also throughout the 1930s and 1940a, cowboy songs, or Western music, became
widely popular through the romanticization of the cowboy and idealized depictions of the west in Hollywood
films.
In the 1940s, pure jazz began to become more popular, along with the blues, with artists like Ella Fitzgerald
and Billie Holiday becoming nationally successful.
4. 1950’s
The 1950s were a time of changes and the music of the decade both reflected the cultural changes that were
happening while still holding on to the societal norms of the past. Rhythm & Blues (R&B) and Rock ‘n’ Roll
popularized “black” music and many African-American musicians rose to prominence and enjoyed success.
People believed that the popularization of R&B and Rock ‘n’ Roll only helped to bridge the gap between blacks and
whites and further the civil rights movement.
Popular Music Genres of the 1950s:
Rock ‘n’ Roll: Traditional Pop: Country Rhythm & Blues
Elvis Presley Nat King Cole Johnny Cash Sam Cooke
Chuck Berry Dean Martin Gene Autry The Orioles
Little Richard Ella Fitzgerald Hank Williams Ray Charles
The Coasters Frank Sinatra June Carter cash The Ravens
Ritchie Valens Ames Brothers Patsy Cline Bobby Day
Roy Orbison Doris Day Conway Twitty Lloyd Price
5. Frank Sinatra
Come Fly With Me.
Come Fly With Me is one of Frank Sinatra’s most popular
song. The song was composed by Jimmy This song was
released on January 6th 1958. Come Fly With Me was
designed as a musical trip around the world.