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Music of New Jersey
The biggest superstar from New Jersey is probably Bruce Springsteen, who became a 1980s icon with complex lyrical stories about teens growing up in Freehold and other economically depressed areas of New Jersey. In addition, Jersey native Frank Sinatra became one of the most popular singers of the 20th century. Francis Hopkinson of Bordentown, is perhaps the first American composer. William Dunlap wrote the first American opera, The Archers. Other famous Jersey musicians include Lauryn Hill and Jon Bon Jovi.
Jazz
In the early 20th century, Newark was an important center for jazz innovation. James Johnson and other pioneers helped invent stride. Other famous New Jersey jazzmen include Count Basie and Dizzy Gillespie.
Punk rock
Even into the 1980s, would-be punk rockers tended to migrate to either New York City (see Music of New York) or Los Angeles (see Music of California). These included members of Cause for Alarm, Agnostic Front and underground legends The Misfits. Adrenalin OD was perhaps the first Jersey hardcore punk band to achieve a significant following. By 1984, a hardcore scene had developed, including Rosemary's Baby, Bedlam (who ran the top indie label in the area, Buy Our Records), Mental Abuse and Mourning Noize. The most famous New Jersey hardcore band was Genocide, who included Rachel Bolan, eventually of Skid Row.
References
Blush, Steven. American Hardcore: A Tribal History. Feral House. 2001. ISBN 0-922915-717-7
Referenced By
American music | List of cultural and regional genres of music | List of regional and cultural genres of music | List of regional genres of music | Music of the United States
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