Genre story · Rock
Hard Rock
Blues-derived electric rock turning guitar riffs, drums and volume into the main physical event.
Hard rock became a recognizable sound in the late 1960s, when groups on both sides of the Atlantic increased the density and force of amplified blues-rock. Cream, Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin were central to that change, while Deep Purple added another combination of guitar, keyboards and high-energy vocals. By the 1970s, AC/DC and other bands made a more direct, riff-centered version of the style influential across Rock music. Hard rock was already established before later metal scenes developed separate identities.
A riff with room to move
The electric guitar often starts the song's argument. Its phrase might be repeated against a forceful backbeat, answered by a vocal line or opened into a solo. Deep Purple's organ could become as aggressive as the guitar, while other bands relied on space and groove. Hard rock does not demand maximum speed; heavy rhythmic accents can matter more than sheer volume.
The boundary with metal
Heavy Metal inherited part of hard rock's instrumentation and weight, but the two categories should remain distinct. Stoner Rock also has a strong hard-rock lineage, drawing on psychedelic and Sabbath-related riffs. Similar distortion is not enough to collapse every heavy guitar recording into one family.
Essential recordings
- 1969Led ZeppelinLed Zeppelin IIAmplified blues-rock riffs with unusual force and range.
- 1972Deep PurpleMachine HeadGuitar and Hammond organ working as equally powerful voices.
- 1977AC/DCLet There Be RockA stripped-down, rhythm-driven account of the style.