Rock and Roll Rebels of the Twentieth Century

In the twentieth century, Rock and Roll music was revolutionized by artists who pushed the boundaries of what that genre could be. Musicians often inserted radical politics into their songs, creating controversy by making important social commentary. Rolling Stone Magazine just released their list of 15 Rock and Roll Rebels , a sparse list, but an important one that highlights a few of the many powerful voices in punk, grunge, and folk rock. These often intersecting genres propelled iconic Rock and Roll musicians into infamy for their rebellious nature.

The magazine's list doesn’t honor rock stars who gained notoriety for trashing hotel rooms and being bawdy, eccentric musicians, but rather, those who weren’t afraid to challenge social norms through music. One artist who made the list is Elvis Costello, who once said, “My ultimate vocation in life is to be an irritant.” His musical style, originally formed from punk ideals, is what remains rebellious; Costello has mystified fans and critics by continuing to change his style of music.

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The only female to make the list is Irish singer-songwriter Sinead O’Connor, who gained a rebellious reputation for her outspoken opinions about the government and organized religion. Rolling Stone wrote, “she will forever be remembered for shredding a photo of Pope John Paul II on the October 3, 1992 episode of Saturday Night Live...to protest the Catholic church's long suppression of evidence of sexual abuse among clergymen.”

Kurt Cobain of 90s grunge band Nirvana, also made the list. The magazine explains that “In his short life, the bandleader made it his duty to challenge beliefs – both his fans' and his own.” He often questioned society’s treatment of marginalized groups in lyrics and in interviews, which wasn’t always received well by fans. An artist who died young, Cobain is most rebellious for his beliefs, and his impact on the grunge rock genre.

Other notable names to make the list of Rolling Stone’s 15 Rock and Roll Rebels are: The Clash, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Fela Kuti.