American rock has its roots from 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, rhythm and blues, and country music, and also draws from folk music, jazz, blues, and classical music. American rock music was further influenced by the British Invasion of the American pop charts from 1964 and resulted in the development of psychedelic rock.
The Doors performing on a Danish television show in 1968.
Elvis Presley is the most successful figure to emerge from rock and roll
Chubby Checker in 2005
The Beach Boys performing in 1964
Richard Steven Valenzuela, better known by his stage name Ritchie Valens, was an American guitarist, singer and songwriter. A rock and roll pioneer and a forefather of the Chicano rock movement, Valens died in a plane crash just eight months after his breakthrough.
Valens in 1958
Billboard advertisement, December 15, 1958
Valens in 1959
Grave of Valens and his mother at San Fernando Mission Cemetery