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Rock's First Times

 


Rock’s First Times: The Defining Moments That Changed Music Forever

Rock music thrives on rebellion, reinvention, and revolutionary moments that shift the genre’s course forever. Some of these turning points are well-documented, while others lurk in the shadows—hidden gems waiting to be rediscovered. This deep dive into rock’s biggest firsts uncovers the electrifying moments that shaped its history, complete with must-hear B-sides to keep the spirit alive.


1. The Day Dylan Plugged In – When Folk Became Electric

Moment: Bob Dylan’s electric set at the Newport Folk Festival (July 25, 1965)

Before 1965, folk music lived in an acoustic world, deeply rooted in storytelling and political anthems. But when Bob Dylan took the stage at Newport with an electric guitar and a full band, folk purists were outraged. He played "Maggie’s Farm," "Like a Rolling Stone," and "Phantom Engineer" (an early version of "It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry")—drenched in distortion and bluesy swagger. The crowd was divided, with some booing and others in awe.

Recommended B-Side: "Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window?" – Originally a lost A-side in 1965, this track captures Dylan’s experimental shift into electric rock.


2. The Birth of Album Artwork – When Covers Became Canvases

Moment: Alex Steinweiss creates the first album cover design (1939)

Before 1939, records were sold in plain brown wrappers. Then along came Alex Steinweiss, a Columbia Records graphic designer, who transformed music packaging forever. His first cover—a stylish, illustrated design for a classical record—paved the way for rock’s most iconic album covers, from The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s to Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon.

Recommended B-Side: "Child of the Moon" – The Rolling Stones (1968) – A psych-infused B-side with surreal visuals to match its era’s evolving album art.


3. Metal Hits the Airwaves – The First Radio-Broadcasted Heavy Metal Song

Moment: Black Sabbath’s "Paranoid" or Deep Purple’s "Speed King" on UK radio (1970)

The term "heavy metal" wasn’t fully defined in 1970, but the genre’s seismic waves were already rattling the airwaves. While Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, and Black Sabbath were pioneering the sound, which song officially broke through as the first broadcasted metal track remains debated. Candidates include "Paranoid" by Black Sabbath (a fast-paced proto-metal anthem) and "Speed King" by Deep Purple (a distortion-driven classic with shredding guitar solos).

Recommended B-Side: "Evil Woman" – Black Sabbath (1970) – A blues-heavy B-side that hinted at Sabbath’s dark, looming metal future.


4. The First Music Video – When Rock Went Visual

Moment: "Bohemian Rhapsody" (1975) or "Subterranean Homesick Blues" (1965)?

Music videos transformed rock promotion, but who did it first? Bob Dylan’s "Subterranean Homesick Blues" (1965) featured cue cards and guerrilla-style filming, while Queen’s "Bohemian Rhapsody" (1975) was the first to be intentionally produced as a stand-alone promo video. It set the stage for MTV and the future of visual rock storytelling.

Recommended B-Side: "I’m in Love with My Car" – Queen (1975) – A fan-favorite B-side with Roger Taylor’s powerhouse vocals.


5. The First B-Side That Outshone Its A-Side

Moment: The Beatles’ Rain vs. Paperback Writer (1966)

B-sides often lived in the shadows—until they didn’t. The Beatles’ "Rain" was released as the B-side to "Paperback Writer" in 1966, but its hypnotic, tape-reversed psychedelia made it a cult favorite. The same fate befell Gloria Gaynor’s "I Will Survive," originally buried as a disco B-side before becoming a defining anthem.

Recommended B-Side: "Silver Springs" – Fleetwood Mac (1977) – A stunning B-side that was controversially left off Rumours, only to become a fan favorite.


6. The First Time Rock Met Fashion

Moment: Elvis Presley’s rebellious style vs. David Bowie’s reinvention (1950s–1970s)

From Elvis’ slick hair and leather jackets to David Bowie’s androgynous glam-rock personas, rock has always been as much about the look as the sound. The punk DIY aesthetic of the ‘70s and grunge’s flannel dominance in the ‘90s only proved that music and fashion are inseparable.

Recommended B-Side: "Suffragette City" – David Bowie (1972) – A glam-fueled B-side that defined the Ziggy Stardust era.


Final Thoughts: The Future of Rock’s Firsts

Rock music is an ever-evolving beast, constantly breaking new ground. Which of today’s underground movements will be tomorrow’s "firsts"? Stay tuned, keep digging through B-sides and hidden gems, and never stop exploring rock’s uncharted territory.

What’s your favorite “first” in rock history? Drop a comment and let’s talk music!

If you didn't catch it, here is a playlist looking back into April's B-sides. 

Listen here

And a bonus Spotify Playlist for all you die hard B-side fans

Listen here 

Pick up your copies of Volume One and Two of The Rock Atlas, check out my homepage for more information.  Volume Three is coming soon, drops next week.

Where can I get my copy?

Thanks for reading, and hopefully listening, join us again on Monday when we explore another of rock music's iconic Queens.

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