Chicago West
School of Rock

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Chicago West

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MUSIC EDUCATION

Music education resources for Chicago students and information for parents about the benefits of learning to play music, how to develop proficiency and more.

Celebrating Hispanic Artists

Celebrating Hispanic Artists

At School of Rock, we celebrate some of rock music’s earliest artists and influencers. Many of these artists were inspired by musicians that came from other genres, such as Latin rhythms, Blues Rock, and Mexican Folk. You will find these inspirations in most of the artists listed in this article. In addition to their biographies, be sure to check out their notable songs and what popular artists or bands they are known to have directly influenced.

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Etta James

Celebrating Black Artists: Part 2

In this article, we acknowledge rock and popular music’s 11 most influential and significant Black artists and figures who started their music careers from the late 1940s through the mid-50s. We begin with Little Richard and take you up to Aretha Franklin.

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BB King playing guitar

Celebrating Black Artists: Part 1

In this article, we will celebrate some of rock music’s earliest artists and influencers. Many of these artists were inspired by musicians that came from other genres, such as blues, folk, jazz, and gospel. You will find these inspirations in most of the artists listed below. In addition to their biographies, be sure to check out their notable songs and what popular artists or bands they are known to have directly influenced.

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