Country Rock Facts

Origins and early development

Country rock was developed by rock musicians who began to record country-flavored records in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It was primarily developed in Los Angeles and grew from many southern Americans moving to Los Angeles, the growth of the commercial recording studio sound, and the adoption of mainstream production techniques popularized by rock musicians of the era. Early practitioners included the International Submarine Band, the Byrds, the Flying Burrito Brothers, Bob Dylan, Buffalo Springfield and others.

Evolution or diversification

The genre reached its greatest popularity in the 1970s with artists such as Emmylou Harris, the Eagles, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Linda Ronstadt, Little Feat, Poco, Charlie Daniels Band and Pure Prairie League. Country rock involved rock musicians recording rock records that incorporated country themes, vocal styles, and additional instrumentation most characteristically pedal steel guitars.

Cultural or musical significance

The term country rock was popularized by critic Richard Goldstein in 1968, who highlighted albums that combined country music's twang and tenacity with rock's drive. Country rock influenced artists in other genres including the Band, the Grateful Dead, Creedence Clearwater Revival, the Rolling Stones and George Harrison, and it played a part in the development of Southern rock.