Ongoing History Daily: When did “rock’n’roll” become just “rock?”

When our music was born in the 1950s, it was referred to as “rock’n’roll.” But by the time we get to 1970, it was just called “rock.” When did “rock’n’roll” become just “rock?” This is a question that music historians have wrestled with.

The answer seems to be “around 1967” when this music of youth was finally accepted as a legitimate art form. The group that solidified this transition was the Beatles with their Sgt. Pepper album.

This became the dividing line between what was considered to be effervescent pop music and serious music. Everything before Sgt. Pepper was generally referred to as “rock’n’roll,” while everything that came after has the more serious designation as “rock.”