Music in the 20th Century

Music was accompanied theatre and dance productions. Jazz and Blues become popular due to early phonograph recordings.

Jazz explodes in popularity. Big-band music thrives. Blues continued to gain popularity with both black and white people.

Increase in radio sales in the midst of the Great Depression. Music was in more demand.

Swing music emerged. Jazz continued to flourish under jazz pioneers like artists like Glenn Miller, Billie Holiday, and Bing Crosby.

The big five record companies emerge: Decca, Capitol, RCA-Victor, Columbia, and ABC-Paramount. Billboard Top 40 established in 1951 and Billboard Top 100 debuted in 1958.

Music genres such as Motown, soul, R&B, folk, and rock and roll were flourishing.