American Music Timeline - 1970-Present

The Moody Blues, Electric Light Orchestra, and Pink Floyd create "art rock", combining classical styles with rock; synthesizer becomes important instrument

CBGB (Country Bluegrass & Blues) club in New York showcases "punk rock" which blends various psychedelic and mainstream rock influences

Philip Glass completes Einstein on the Beach, first widely performed minimalist piece

Movie Saturday Night Fever popularizes "disco" music

Sony introduces the Walkman

Hip hop, a blend of rock, jazz, soul with African drumming, born in the South Bronx

Sugarhill Gang releases "Rapper's Delight", popularizes rap, combines elements of disco and rock with urban street music

MTV, music television, debuts with nonstop music videos, presentation becomes as important as the sound

Michael Jackson releases album "Thriller", ties with Eagles' "Their Greatest Hits," as best selling album in history; "Thriller" music video becomes a classic

Compact discs begin to replace vinyl records

Madonna's album "Like a Virgin" makes her a major star

Grunge rock, a combination of various rock styles, rises in Seattle; features such bands as Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Metallica

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum opens in Cleveland

The Internet transforms music scene as companies offer free music over the Internet without paying copyright fees. Music industry executives take the issue to court. A ruling prompts Napster to stop distributing copyrighted music free and team up with industry giant Bertelsmann to provide material for a fee.

Apple Computer introduces Apple iTunes Music Store, which allows people to download songs for 99 cents each.

Michael Jackson, the pop icon, dies suddenly in Los Angeles, California, on June 25, 2009, of cardiac arrest. His death stunned fans around the world. He had been set to embark on a comeback tour at the time of his death.