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Cleveland DJ Alan Freed popularized the term "rock and roll" and began playing rhythm and blues records for a wider audience, helping to launch a new genre that would dominate music for decades. -
Elvis Presley released “Heartbreak Hotel,” which became his first No. 1 hit on the Billboard chart. It marked the rise of Elvis as the "King of Rock and Roll" and signaled a cultural revolution. -
The Beatles made their iconic appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, watched by over 70 million Americans. This event sparked the "British Invasion" and transformed global pop music. -
More than 400,000 people gathered in Bethel, New York, for a 3-day music festival that became a symbol of the 1960s counterculture and featured legendary performances by Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and others. -
Guitar legend Jimi Hendrix died at age 27. His innovative style redefined electric guitar playing and left an indelible mark on rock and blues music. -
DJ Kool Herc hosted a back-to-school party in the Bronx, widely considered the birth of hip hop. His use of breakbeats laid the groundwork for a global cultural movement. -
Music Television (MTV) aired its first broadcast with “Video Killed the Radio Star.” MTV revolutionized the music industry by emphasizing music videos and visual branding. -
Nirvana’s album Nevermind, featuring the hit “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” brought grunge music into the mainstream and marked a shift from 1980s glam rock to a more raw, alternative sound.