Here's a study of 11 legends of rock and roll and how they created signature styles. Understand how they struck a chord with their audience and apply those lessons to score big hits with your content.
3. All shook up
Elvis surprised the audience.
He combined musical styles to
create a new sound. On stage and on
television, he danced with abandon
and sang frenetically.
Create content that shakes things up.
5. All together now
The Beatles were a band.
No single personality dominated. They
blended their voices, innovated endlessly,
created magical mystery, and shared
their sense of humor with their audience.
Bring different voices to the party.
7. No satisfaction
The Stones explored the darkness.
No band before them was as brash or
dangerous. When most music was
romantic and clean, The Stones got
rougher, tougher, down and dirty.
Don’t be afraid to play devil’s advocate.
Challenge status quo with your content.
9. The time’s they are a-changin’
Bob Dylan rewrote the rules.
Dylan changed songwriting forever.
He explored social themes. His lyrics
introduced a narrative voice. He was
introspective. His themes were boundless.
What the hell is going on?
Tell it like it is.
11. See me, feel me
The Who created rock opera.
The band’s greatest works were rich
epics with characters and conflict. The
literate writing of the band’s leader,
Pete Townshend, was poignant and highly
reflective of the human condition.
Great stories make memorable content.
13. Dazed and confused
Led Zeppelin added new layers.
Mysticism. Volume. Pounding beats.
Rock and roll got heavy—and metal—
when Zeppelin blasted their distorted
and intense version of the blues.
Twist convention.
Turn it up.
15. Another brick in the wall
Pink Floyd made the art form theater.
The most noted works of the band went
way beyond the concept album.
Sound effects. Flying pigs. Insanity.
You didn’t just listen to Pink Floyd.
You experienced them.
Can you create content bigger
than merely words?
17. A runaway American dream
Springsteen gave us glory days.
His records have little in common,
but always star the common man. Our
triumphs and our failures. Our passion
and our pain. He writes about the human
condition and all its highs and lows.
Give your content a voice. Make it real.
19. Revolution rock
Let fury have the hour, anger can be
power. The force behind punk rock’s rising,
The Clash were charged with righteousness.
Outlaws with guitars, they rallied for the
working class, ranted against the right
and rocked with rebellion.
Speak your mind.
21. ‘Cause this is thriller
The king of pop.
Michael is one the most popular
recording artists ever. In addition to a
relentless string of mega-hits, Jackson’s
stunning dance skills and elaborate, epic
videos inspired the whole world tune into
a rising star called MTV.
Shine bright onscreen.
23. Touched for the very first time
She defines vogue.
Madonna may have been the first female
pop music phenom to create such a
seductive image. She commanded the
media with her energetic dance music,
and unabashed sexuality.
Express yourself. Sell it.