English Music
British music is incredibly influential around the world, including many of the most famous artists of all time. From the Beatles to Queen, and from Led Zeppelin to Elton John, British anthems are known and sang by people of all nationalities.
Yet in the UK, while there is a huge amount of pride in "British" music, each of the countries of the UK takes pride in their specifically "national" style of song. The Welsh, Scots, English, and Irish all take pride in the artists from their region. Here, we will look at some musicians and bands from England.
Yet in the UK, while there is a huge amount of pride in "British" music, each of the countries of the UK takes pride in their specifically "national" style of song. The Welsh, Scots, English, and Irish all take pride in the artists from their region. Here, we will look at some musicians and bands from England.
The Beatles
The Beatles may be the most influential band ever, and almost certainly the most famous. Taking the styles of music of the 1950s such as rock and roll and introducing elements from classical music, ballads, Indian music, and many other genres, The Beatles changed pop music into the form we know today.
The Beatles formed in Liverpool 1960, and the key 4 members were John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison. They began their career playing shows in Liverpool and in Hamburg, Germany, before becoming incredibly popular worldwide with their distinctive style of pop music. The huge fan base they developed, and their amazing popularity became known as "Beatlemania,"
Classic songs such as "Hey Jude," "Let It Be," "Yellow Submarine," "Here Comes the Sun," "All You Need is Love," and "Come Together" are just some of the songs that remain played on radios all around the world today, and they are still recognised as the best-selling music act of all time.
The Beatles formed in Liverpool 1960, and the key 4 members were John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison. They began their career playing shows in Liverpool and in Hamburg, Germany, before becoming incredibly popular worldwide with their distinctive style of pop music. The huge fan base they developed, and their amazing popularity became known as "Beatlemania,"
Classic songs such as "Hey Jude," "Let It Be," "Yellow Submarine," "Here Comes the Sun," "All You Need is Love," and "Come Together" are just some of the songs that remain played on radios all around the world today, and they are still recognised as the best-selling music act of all time.
Led Zeppelin
Another of the most influential rock artists of all time, and one of the coolest, are Led Zeppelin. Led Zeppelin formed in 1968, but their music is still very popular today. Songs such as "Stairway to Heaven" and "Whole Lotta Love" continue to gain huge amounts of sales and streams.
Led Zeppelin was lead guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist John-Paul Jones and drummer John Bonham, or “Bonzo”, as he liked to be called. In addition to their awesome music, the band was famous for their wild partying. Famous examples include riding a motorbike through a hotel lobby, or throwing five televisions out of a hotel window. Led Zeppelin played an important part in the creation of the image of the rock and roll lifestyle. Unfortunately, this lifestyle led to the death of the drummer, Bonzo, in 1980 after he allegedly drank 40 shots of vodka one morning.
Led Zeppelin have many, many great songs, but their most famous is Stairway to Heaven, often voted to be the greatest rock-and-roll song of all time.
Led Zeppelin was lead guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist John-Paul Jones and drummer John Bonham, or “Bonzo”, as he liked to be called. In addition to their awesome music, the band was famous for their wild partying. Famous examples include riding a motorbike through a hotel lobby, or throwing five televisions out of a hotel window. Led Zeppelin played an important part in the creation of the image of the rock and roll lifestyle. Unfortunately, this lifestyle led to the death of the drummer, Bonzo, in 1980 after he allegedly drank 40 shots of vodka one morning.
Led Zeppelin have many, many great songs, but their most famous is Stairway to Heaven, often voted to be the greatest rock-and-roll song of all time.
Ed Sheeran
One of the biggest artists to come out of England in recent years is loveable ginger scamp, Ed Sheeran. His super popular song, Shape of You, became a major hit worldwide.
Ed Sheeran had a long road to success before becoming famous, travelling around the UK and the USA singing on the street and playing small concerts for many years before gaining popularity. His big chance came when Taylor Swift asked him to support her on tour in 2012. Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift are good friends, and Sheeran has written several songs for Swift. He has also written songs for One Direction and Rhianna.
Here's a video of the plucky youngster singing on the street, before he became a global superstar:
Spice Girls
One of the most popular English bands of the 1990s was the Spice Girls. The Spice Girls smashed their way straight to the top of the musical charts in 1996, with the super-hit “Wannabe”.
The band was comprised of members Posh Spice, Sporty Spice, Baby Spice, Ginger Spice, and Scary Spice. They released two best-selling albums and a movie in addition to a successful world tour, before Ginger Spice left the group and they fell from popularity. They were, however, very influential in the promotion of the slogan "girl power," which encourages and celebrates women's empowerment, independence, confidence, and strength.
Radiohead
The people in the photos above are members of a band called Radiohead. Radiohead are one of the most progressive and influential bands to have come out of England in the last few decades.
The band has a very experimental style, moving from alternative rock in early albums to more electronic and esoteric music over the years.
Their 1997 album, OK Computer, and 2000 album, Kid-A, are two of the best albums of all time, and demonstrate their changing styles.
These are just a few English artists. From David Bowie to the Clash, and from One Direction to Dizzee Rascal, huge artists can be found in any genre. How many more do you know?
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