Happy Birthday, America! It's no secret that Americans love their freedom and individuality, and as music lovers, freedom of expression is something we hold near and dear to our hearts. From jazz to rock, America is the birthplace to some of the most influential music and musicians in the world. Let's give ourselves a pat on the back!

1. Freedom of Speech

Performances, song lyrics, and songs, are all forms that are protected by the First Amendment, which says, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." This amendment has helped music flourish in the United States and has protected the rights of countless artists who choose to speak their mind through music.

2. Jazz

One of America’s most important contributions to music, and to the world, is jazz. With jazz came a beautiful, legendary, ongoing history. The improvisational music played a pivotal role in shaping American culture during the Harlem Renaissance. Musicians would draw huge audiences as Americans embraced jazz music. Harlem brought notice to cultural works that might otherwise have been lost or never produced. The artists of the Harlem Renaissance made history as they helped synthesize black culture into a defining component of American culture. We still have a lot of thriving music havens to thank our country for — Memphis, San Francisco, Nashville, etc. However, most would argue that our most prized hub has always been the birthplace of jazz - New Orleans, Louisiana. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDQpZT3GhDg

 

3. Bluegrass

Some people will argue that the birth of bluegrass came in 1940 in the form of Bill Monroe & the Bluegrass Boys. Others might say that, the movement started in 1945, when Monroe hired the three-finger banjo innovation of Earl Scruggs. Either way, bluegrass music is ours, no doubt about it. This time-tested genre of music continues to be played by countless artists today, and has also beautifully blossomed into more progressive forms. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeZPAQRl7TA

 

4. A Playground For Punk Rock

While bands like the Stooges and the Velvet Underground laid the primary foundation for punk, New York City was home to punk rock's golden age from about 1974 - 1981. First came the New York Dolls, who made way for the Ramones, and Manhattan's Lower East Side became punk rock's epicenter. Clubs like CBGBs and Max's Kansas City dominated the scene while bands like Blondie, Iggy Pop and the Stooges, and Patti Smith were its rulers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fX5MJB3SunQ

 

5. Music Videos

Music videos changed the way we see music, literally, and changed the way artists presented their songs.Although MTV didn't invent the music video, it did help propel music videos into a whole new level. The first music video that paved the way on MTV was aired on August 1, 1981. The video was fittingly named, "Video Killed the Radio Star," and created by The Buggles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iwuy4hHO3YQ

 

6. The Wetlands and Beyond

In regards to music venues, there’s a ton we can thank our land of the free for being home to. One of our favorites would of course be the legendary Wetlands Preserve, home to an underground resurgence of the counterculture appeal, and the place that really had a hand in helping jamband music soar into popularity. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ohw4eCf9kA

 

7. Grunge Rock

Influenced by the melodic guitar lines of punk rock, and the anguished vocals of heavy metal, grunge derived out of the Pacific Northwest in the early 90s, specifically Seattle, Washington. With the record label Sub Pop making their way around the scene, the success of bands like Soundgarden, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and more, are credited to the success of the grunge scene. The laid back thrift-store style was popping up around the world, on the streets, or on the runway in fashion shows by famous designers. Over two decades later, grunge is still pertinent in today’s music. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZh_qP6lv98

 

8. Woodstock

One of the most well-known music gatherings in America was in the Summer of 1969. Woodstock took the world by storm, bringing artists from all genres and backgrounds together. Woodstock '69 will forever be known as one of the moments that changed rock 'n' roll history. Legendary artists such as, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Joan Baez, and many more, performed for hundreds of thousands of fans during the height of the counterculture movement of the 1960s. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xpdw0ouogQo

 

9. Rock 'n' Roll

The genre that is most well-known throughout the music scene is rock 'n' roll. Progressing since the late 40s, rock music has taken twists and turns throughout the years. With sub-genres growing out of rock, like, pop rock, alternative rock, punk rock, psychedelic rock, and more, rock 'n' roll is credited to be one of the most influential genres of all time. There are countless rock bands that have contributed to the scene, that if we tried to name them all the list would be never-ending. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUvxRjYqjEQ

 

10. Les Paul

Born in Waukesha, Wisconsin in 1915, Les Paul, born Lester William Polsfuss, began playing harmonic melodies at the age of 8. He is most well-known for creating the stepping stones of rock music with the solid-body electric guitar, which later contributed to the creation of the most well-known guitar, the Gibson Les Paul, named after him. Les Paul was not afraid to step out of the comfort zone of music, and is one of the first musicians to experiment with delay effects, phasing effects, and multi-track recording. As the only musician to ever be inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the National Inventors Hall of Fame, Les Paul was a true pioneer of the music industry. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzRxNS4jdc4

 

11. Nathaniel Baldwin

You can thank Baldwin for the portable listening devices that bring us so much joy! Before Steve Jobs created the small white ear buds we know and probably have tangled up in our pockets as we speak, Nathaniel Baldwin created the first model of modern headphones in 1910. A Utah-born Mormon, Baldwin was always inventing different items that he wished to sell to the public. After being unable to sell his first pair to anyone, it wasn't until the U.S. Navy ordered 100 pairs during World War I. The success of the Navy using his headphones soon skyrocketed his career. Although Baldwin failed to patent the idea for headphones, he is still credited with their success. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsySEbLA00g

 

12. Ethan Russell

Nowadays when you attend a live music performance you see hundreds of cellphones in the air trying to capture that perfect picture. Although photography was invented in 1827, concert photography was not popular until the 60s when the rock 'n' roll revolution was at its prime. Photographer Ethan Russell of Mt. Kisco, New York is credited with being one of the greatest photographers of his generation. From photographing The Beatles' Let it Be album cover, to The Rolling Stones, The Who, and more, Russell’s raw take on the music industry was one to be admired and influences countless photographers that came after him. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6tf6BIOzSg

 

13. Social Activism in Music

The Civil Rights Movement was a time that this country was on the verge of domestic downfall. The 60s launched the idea of power through music. It was the first decade to provide America with songs that expressed our objection to the Vietnam War and rejection of the status quo in order to protect ourselves until we received the equality and justice we deserved. Musicians such as James Brown, Marvin Gaye, and Sam Cooke were active in promoting equality and peace. These songs exposed the challenges that were happening and were ahead of us and are important to the history of America. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-kA3UtBj4M