Rock and roll, a genre that revolutionized popular music, emerged in the mid-20th century and quickly became a defining force in mainstream culture. Its transformation from a local phenomenon to a global genre has become a compelling story of cultural evolution, technological progress, and social change.

Rock and roll originated in the United States in the late 40s and early 50s, drawing on a mixture of rhythm and blues (R&B), country, jazz and gospel music. Pioneering artists like Chuck Berry, Little Richard и Fats Domino played a key role in shaping the sound and style of rock and roll. In the 60s, rock and roll evolved into various subgenres, reflecting and influencing the wider cultural changes of the time. The British Invasion, led by bands like The Beatles и The Rolling Stones, introduced a new wave of rock music to a worldwide audience. The Beatles, in particular, revolutionized the genre with their innovative songwriting and studio techniques, setting new standards for what rock music could be. This era also marked the beginning of rock's integration into the fabric of popular culture. Music festivals like Woodstock became symbols of a generation's countercultural ideals, and rock music became synonymous with youth rebellion and heralding great social change. The genre's association with the growing counterculture movement and its role in articulating social issues further cemented its mainstream status.

Rock and roll's journey from its roots in rhythm and blues to its status as a global mainstream phenomenon has become a testament to its innovative spirit and cultural resonance. Through a combination of groundbreaking artists, technological advances and cultural changes, rock and roll has carved a permanent place in the annals of music history and society. Its evolution reflected and reflects wider societal changes and continues to significantly influence the shaping of the landscape of contemporary music and thought. Do you remember Pink Floyd, their album "The Wall" and the fall of the Berlin Wall as an introduction to today's Europe?

Where were we and where are we in that world phenomenon? Our South Slavic region was not and is not an exception to this world trend. Even during the times of socialism, later with the collapse of our common state, rock and roll exerted its broad social influence on the promotion of freedom of speech (B. Djordjevic - "for ideals, fools..." and other verses), social criticism (B. A button – "Half bogey half circle half Europe", "Bread and salt" - "Like cocoa" - "everything is cloudy - like cocoa"..., Bajaga - "What a holy government, hippies in the 50th" ), with an anti-war movement and an attempt to reconcile the warring Balkan nations ("Rimtutituki" – composed of M. Mladenovic EQ, Cane one "Partybreakers", Jackdaw one "Eh. orgasm" and other bands). These are not small things.

No one could have thought that this musical direction would become one of the main social correctives and its steadfast critic, even a teaching aid (Van Gogh from Belgrade - the song "Kolo" written on the basis of V.S. Karadzic is included in a reading book for primary school in the Republic of Montenegro). In addition, Jules Van Gogh - at all his concerts he points out that you should not watch reality shows, but read good books and listen to quality music. As the icing on the cake at every concert, a young person is "offered" to him by the audience, who in the rock'n'roll rhythm realizes a new joy of life and a universal message that reads - love, peace, freedom, progress. Rock and roll compared to other musical genres that irritate our senses and taste (outside of jazz) acts as the epitome of decency and true art.
In our country, there are still idealists like Guru Hare Band и Igor Dzambazov, Miki Jovanovski Xhafer, "Bread and salt", Idriz Ameti и "BLLA, BLLA, BLLA", Vasco BUMBIX, "Code 369", "Faultin" and few others.

Today, in many universities in the world, rock and roll is studied as a social phenomenon through the prism of various musical compositions, messages, bands, which fundamentally changed the world for the better. Rock and roll remains a vital and influential genre of popular culture. Although its mainstream dominance may have waned with the rise of digital music and streaming platforms, rock continues to inspire audiences around the world as well as here. We hope that that wave will not pass Macedonia. I would like to believe that rock and roll is not dead in our country, although it is breathing on gills.

The author is the director and media director of "Sloboden Pechat"