General English Level 4 Version 2.1 © 2004 acl Pty Ltd GELEV4 Unit 05 Topic 04.doc 1979 Rap, which is a rhyme spoken over music, began. It has become one of the most important types of pop music. 1980s There was a new wave of electronic sounds. Mid 1980s Madonna and pop king Michael Jackson, who were seen for the first time, did dance pop. Michael Jackson set new standards for dance and music videos. 1990s Hip-hop music jumped off the street and into mainstream pop. Today There are thousands of pop musicians and hundreds of different styles of pop music. Elvis Presley shook his hips and the rock and roll craze began. When Elvis appeared on TV he entered the homes of America. Kids loved him and their parents were shocked. Elvis' music, which was called rockabilly, was a mixture of country music and rhythm and blues. This new feel-good music of the 1950s was a symbol of a changing world, one where people felt more positive. Young people, who were called teenagers for the first time, were looking for something new and more exciting to listen to. They found that new energy in rock and roll. The Beatles brought pop music into a new era with their cute looks, loud guitars and pop melodies. The group ABBA was typical of the pop music of this decade. Its rich vocal harmonies, lively melodies and choruses made it one of the most successful pop groups of all time Good old-fashioned teen- pop took on a high-tech style with the Backstreet Boys. 176