Rockabilly

Rockabilly is an early style of rock and roll music. It dates back to the early 1950s in the United States, especially the South. As a genre, it blends the sound of Western musical styles such as country with that of rhythm and blues,[2][3] leading to what is considered "classic" rock and roll.[4] The term "rockabilly" itself is a portmanteau of "rock" (from "rock 'n' roll") and "hillbilly"; the latter is a reference to country music (often called "hillbilly music" in the 1940s and 1950s) that contributed strongly to the style. Other important influences on rockabilly include western swing, boogie-woogie, jump blues, and electric blues.[5]

Quick facts: Rockabilly, Stylistic origins, Cultural origi... ▼

Rockabilly
Classic instruments associated with rockabilly are a hollow-body guitar, an upright bass, and a pared-down drum kit
Stylistic origins	Rock and roll country rhythm and blues bluegrass western swing
Cultural origins	Early to mid-1950s, Southern United States
Derivative forms	Garage rock
Fusion genres
Swamp rock[1] psychobilly gothabilly metalbilly
Other topics
Country rock

Defining features of the rockabilly sound included strong rhythms, boogie woogie piano riffs, vocal twangs, doo-wop acapella singing, and common use of the tape echo;[6] and eventually came to incorporate different instruments and vocal harmonies.[3] Initially popularized by artists such as Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley, Johnny Burnette, Jerry Lee Lewis, Conway Twitty, Johnny Cash and others, the rockabilly style waned in the late 1950s. Nonetheless, during the late 1970s and early 1980s, rockabilly enjoyed a revival. An interest in the genre endures even in the 21st century, often within musical subcultures. Rockabilly has spawned a variety of sub-styles and has influenced the development of other genres such as punk rock.[6]