1944Versatile composer, conductor, pianist,

Leonard Bernstein composes musical

On the Town, followed by string of others, including West Side Story.

1947Singer Mahalia Jackson inaugurates "golden age

of gospel music" through 1965.

1948

Columbia Records introduces "long playing" vinyl record

1951Cleveland disc jockey Alan Freed uses

term "rock 'n' roll" to promote rhythm and blues to white audiences

Bill Haley and the Comets become first major white band to use black rock 'n' roll forms, featuring heavy,

danceable beat and repetitive patterns, "Rock Around the Clock" becomes huge hit.

1954

1958Country Music Association is

established in Nashville

Billboard magazine begins Hot 100 chart listing popular songs. Ricky Nelson's "Poor Little Fool" is the

first No. 1 record.

1959 National Academy of Recording Arts and

Sciences presents first Grammy Award for music recorded in previous year.

Berry Gordy Jr. founds Motown record company to mass-market black music.

Stars include the Supremes,

Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye

1961

Country singer Patsy Cline becomes mainstream popular (pop) music hit

1963

Folk singer Bob Dylan popularizes protest songs

Peter, Paul and Mary sing Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind" at the 1963 March on Washington

1964The Beatles' song "I Want to Hold Your Hand" is a

sensation, igniting the immense popularity of British groups, known as the "British invasion";

Other popular British groups are the Rolling Stones, the Who, and Herman's Hermits