The UK's contribution to world music culture

Recently, a colleague and I were having lunch in a clinic cafeteria, just after a surgery, and by chance we started talking about the musical influence that our country has had on the World. The truth is that I was aware of the level of influence that my country (UK) had in this area, but I never analyzed it too thoroughly, until we started chatting.

UK musical influence on the world

The truth, is for all well known that UK has had a significant and really important influence on the world of music, particularly in the genres of rock, rhythm and blues, classic music, pop and many other styles. We can say that all of this influence began in the early 1960s, with many bands like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Animals, and The Who. All of these bands they defined the road for many other UK bands to gain international fame, success and highly world consideration.

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One of the most important bands was the Beatles, from Liverpool, who quickly became one of the most successful bands of all time and a mandatory reference point for all other music bands in the UK and the World. They had such an impact on popular culture, with their inventive melodies, creativity, and ability to experiment on their productions, that their legacy has inspired countless other bands and musicians ever since; and his records continue to sell at impressive levels even today.

If we talk about the Rolling Stones, this band was formed in London in the early 60's, they made a name for themselves in the world of music for many great hits they had in those years and thereafter. Hits like Angie, Satisfaction and many others initially earned them the appreciation, fame and consideration they still enjoy today. Although they have written many more hits since then and are probably the oldest band ever. In fact, the Rolling Stones are the only band left, from the movement known as "the British Invasion", which is a record longevity.

Another influential UK band was The Animal, who became famous for their rendition of the song "House of the Rising Sun". Folk song that, by the way, Bod Dylan had sung before, but had not managed to popularize it. Another example of a British band was The Who, who were well known for their rage-filled concerts and their insane habit of destroying their musical instruments on stage. The Who's influence can be found in the work of many other rock bands that have emerged in the years to come, so their legacy is immense.

In addition to the aforementioned bands, we could talk about Led Zeppelin, Queen, and many others that would become popular over the years; and we could also talk about many artists who alone have represented and left the name of the United Kingdom very high in the world.

An influence that transcends musical genres and rhythms

The UK's contributions to music are much broader than most people realize, and are not limited to just a few rhythms or musical genres; because it has also contributed to the spread and popularization of rhythms such as jazz, electronic music, blues, disco and electronic music. The list of famous musicians that the UK has produced over the years is so vast that I find it impossible to remember or mention them all.

By the way, in the world of electronic music, the United Kingdom has been a reference for many years (for decades). In the 80's the UK gave birth to many different styles like rave and dubstep. We could talk about bands as eccentric as The Flying Lizards, which was a group with such a curious musical and performance style, as well as ingenious and attractive. Who, for example, does not remember the version of the song "Money (that's what I want)" sung by this group. Yes, it is true that The Beatles and many other bands and artists had made it popular long before, but the way The Flying Lizards interpreted it marked, in my opinion, a before and after in the world of music.

So we can say that the UK's contributions to music have been as immense as they are varied; in fact, there is no a short way to talk about all of the UK's musical contributions (in terms of bands, musical styles and artists) to the world. So I think one of the UK's greatest legacies to world culture has been, is and always will be music.

I hope that reading my little post seemed pleasant, entertaining and interesting. So, we'll see each other when we see each other!