History

By Dave White, About.com Guide to Classic Rock

Where did it begin? Who started it? Was it a time period, a musical style, certain artists? Learn your essential classic rock history here.

1. Classic Rock 101
2. Summer of Love - 1967
3. Woodstock - 1969
4. Historic Classic Rock Holidays
5. Memorable Summers of Classic Rock

Classic Rock 101

How do you know if an album or artist or song is considered to be classic rock? Ask 100 people and you'll get 100 different answers, but here is a basic primer on how classic rock came to be, and how to know it when you hear it.

• Classic Rock Defined
• Classic Rock Myths & Legends
• Scary Stories of Classic Rock
• Rock Radio in the '60s and '70s
• Who's in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Summer of Love - 1967

It was flower power, psychedlia, and make love, not war. It was long hair and tie-dyed clothes, free form music and freely available drugs. It was the Summer of Love, and it was conceived in San Francisco in 1967.

• The Summer of Love Turns 40
• Where Were You?
• Bands of San Francisco

• They Made the San Francisco Sound
• Love is the Song We Sing
• The Hits of 1967

Woodstock - 1969

It was defining moment in rock history. Three hot August days in a sea of mud on a farm in upstate New York in 1969. Welcome to the Woodstock Music & Art Fair.

• The People Who Made It Happen
• How Woodstock Changed the World
• Who Played What at Woodstock
• Witness to Woodstock

• Woodstock Photo Gallery
• Woodstock Trivia Quiz
• A Riot, A Concert, And A Life

Historic Classic Rock Holidays

Over the years, the winter holidays have seen significant developments in classic rock history. This is a look back at what was happening in classic rock during the holiday seasons from 1966 through 1977.

• Happy Holidays for Hendrix - 1966
• Season of Change - 1967
• Apples and Acrobats - 1968
• Unhappy Endings - 1969
• End of an Era - 1970
• Backstories & Inspirations - 1971

• In Trouble With the Law - 1972
• Big Beginnings & Tragic Ends - 1973
• Moving Out & Moving On - 1974
• Rock Splits, Live Firsts - 1975
• Big Ones, Last Ones - 1976
• Season of Success - 1977

Memorable Summers of Classic Rock

Summertime has always been a special time for Classic Rock fans. Outdoor festivals, weekends at the beach, memories of youthful summers danced away to a rock beat. Several memorable summers were also significant times in classic rock history.

• 1976 - Summer of Platinum
• 1972 - Summer of Transition
• 1970 - Summer of Discontent
• 1969 - Summer of Woodstock
• 1967 - Summer of Love