We often take black for granted in Rock Music, and there\u2019s nothing new about bands wearing black; it\u2019s been the case for decades. But how did this trend come about? Why has it persisted? Let\u2019s take a look at the history of black in Rock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>How Black Clothing Became Popular In Rock Culture<\/h2>\n\n\n\nRock bands have adopted black attire simply because of how the \u201crules\u201d for artists have changed over the years, starting with Classical Music orchestras in the early 18th Century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Black In Classical Music<\/h3>\n\n\n\nOrchestras would play exclusively for the nobility as \u201cservants\u201d in the household and would therefore don black and white \u201cuniforms.\u201d\u00a0 Black and white were and still are considered smart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But crucially, even for Classical Music orchestras today,\u00a0 when musicians wear black, they do not want the audience to pay attention to their attire; they should only be focused on the music. Classical musicians unanimously believe that absolutely nothing should distract audiences from the music. And, because orchestras need to operate as a collective unit, they should all be uniform and \u201cequal.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The only exception comes in soloists, who should wear other colors to distinguish themselves from the rest of the audience as the \u201cspecial act\u201d in the ensemble, a specific sound or voice that the audience should be paying extra attention to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Rocker Subculture<\/h3>\n\n\n\nAside from Rock music\u2019s continuation of the performative norms in Classical music, the central cultural movement that snowballed into the fashion that defines Rock today, the Rocker subculture, is another origin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The biker subculture of Rockers (or leather boys\/Ton-up boys\/caf\u00e9 racers\/greasers) emerged in the United Kingdom in the 1950s when the middle-class could afford motorbikes, and it became a popular means of transport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rock \u2018n Roll music had a massive influence on the subculture, but the \u201cRockers\u201d name does not originate from Rock \u2018n Roll. It\u2019s a reference to the rockers found in 4-stroke engines. The Rocker fashion was born out of necessity more than anything, wearing heavy leather jackets decorated with studs, pin badges, patches, etc. They also wore jeans or leather pants and biker boots. This attire would, therefore, all be brought together in a uniformly black ensemble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bands like The Beatles<\/em>, The Rolling Stones<\/em> would later take the Rocker culture out of England with them as they \u201cInvaded\u201d America. And while this biker culture would not resemble what we may consider a rockstar\u2019s outfit to look like today, because once it had hit the United States in the 60s, it would take on many different forms, much like Rock music itself, over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a>Punk<\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe Punk subculture was a rebuttal of the pretensions of mainstream music, so probably deviated the furthest from black with their vivid pink mohawks and green spikey hair. Offensive T-shirts also gained popularity in punk fashion, and many punk bands decided to stick with black T-shirts and jeans. But, if you look at famous bands from the 70s in particular, such as The Clash<\/em> or The Ramones<\/em>, black, boots, and leather remain despite the deviations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a>Metal<\/h3>\n\n\n\nMetal fashion is almost exclusively black. But Metal also embraced body modification and piercings in particular, along with Corpse paint \u2013 black and white makeup used to make performers look inhuman, corpse-like, or demonic \u2013 and extra-long hair. Some examples of Metal artists that had a major influence on Metal fashion include Judas Priest, Motorhead, Iron Maiden<\/em>, and Metallica<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhile Metal fashion has evolved, black, leather, and long hair have remained constant. Like Rockers, attire is often adorned with patches, studs, and pins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Goth<\/h3>\n\n\n\nGoth fashion is a more extreme version of metal fashion. The Gothic subculture, which was inspired by the likes of Marc Bolan, The Velvet Underground<\/em>, The Doors<\/em>, David Bowie, Brian Eno, and Iggy Pop. tends to be defined by dark and homogenous features.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIt borrows from both Punk and metal but also mixes in old fashions, like Victorian-era dresses. It is also closely associated with Emo fashion and Emo music \u2013 another Rock music subgenre. However, goth bands are not afraid to mix in scarlet or violet or other astonishingly colored accessories and hairstyles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Goth subculture has subcultures, such as Deathrock, Haute Goth, Gothic Lolita, Aristocrat, Cybergoth, and Traditional Goth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some of the biggest Gothic Rock artists include Alice Cooper, Marilyn Manson, Nine Inch Nails<\/em>, 45 Grave<\/em>, Magazine<\/em>, Siouxsie and the Banshees<\/em>, and Joy Division<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCountless other Rock Music subcultures have adopted black and have evolved the \u201cTraditional\u201d Rock music attire in other directions. But there are some simpler explanations for why black has remained constant and a favorite among Rock bands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/holychurchofrock.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/This-Is-Why-Rock-Bands-Wear-Black-01.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a>Badboy Image<\/h2>\n\n\n\nJust as was the case with Rockers, black has given rockstars a bad boy image. Rockers wore their dark attire to appear intimidating. They would strip their motorcycles and repurpose them for the same purpose. This compliments the rebellious nature of Rock music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Performatively, this helps Rock bands craft their image and adopt dark, mysterious, and domineering stage presences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Convenience<\/h2>\n\n\n\nIt is also possible that Rock bands tend to wear black because they\u2019re on the road so often, and black clothes are easier to keep clean. And, for most stages, backstage crews require everyone to wear black. It is an industry standard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some venues will even add a clause to Rock bands\u2019 contracts that stipulate that they can only wear black on stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Unified Ensemble<\/h2>\n\n\n\nOn stage, the most practical reason for Rock bands to dress in all-black is the same reason that Classical orchestras opt to do so. Unlike solo artists, who you\u2019ll often see adorned in bright colors and elaborate outfits in their live shows to draw attention to themselves, Rock bands need to come across as a unit, with one piece of the band not stealing the limelight from the rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rock music is a collaboration, and all members of the ban need to present themselves to audiences on a unified front. Black also allows the artists to fade into the background, putting their music at the forefront of attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, Rock music is a diverse genre with several subcultures, but all Rock bands uniformly embrace black. Black is a uniform for Rock artists deeply embedded in their music\u2019s culture and has been for more than half a century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are also many practical reasons for Rock bands to wear black (a lot) because it helps them draw attention away from themselves and to their music and black clothes are easy to travel with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Black attire and Rock music are practically synonymous and cannot be separated, no matter how many times the music has been splintered and how many subcultures develop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nSources:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Punk fashion | Wikipedia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nCorpse paint | Wikipedia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nRocker (subculture) | Wikipedia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy Do Musicians Always Wear Black? | Nicole Warner, mezzo-soprano<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy the heck do musicians always perform in black? | Classic FM<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Orchestras would play exclusively for the nobility as \u201cservants\u201d in the household and would therefore don black and white \u201cuniforms.\u201d\u00a0 Black and white were and still are considered smart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But crucially, even for Classical Music orchestras today,\u00a0 when musicians wear black, they do not want the audience to pay attention to their attire; they should only be focused on the music. Classical musicians unanimously believe that absolutely nothing should distract audiences from the music. And, because orchestras need to operate as a collective unit, they should all be uniform and \u201cequal.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The only exception comes in soloists, who should wear other colors to distinguish themselves from the rest of the audience as the \u201cspecial act\u201d in the ensemble, a specific sound or voice that the audience should be paying extra attention to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Rocker Subculture<\/h3>\n\n\n\nAside from Rock music\u2019s continuation of the performative norms in Classical music, the central cultural movement that snowballed into the fashion that defines Rock today, the Rocker subculture, is another origin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The biker subculture of Rockers (or leather boys\/Ton-up boys\/caf\u00e9 racers\/greasers) emerged in the United Kingdom in the 1950s when the middle-class could afford motorbikes, and it became a popular means of transport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rock \u2018n Roll music had a massive influence on the subculture, but the \u201cRockers\u201d name does not originate from Rock \u2018n Roll. It\u2019s a reference to the rockers found in 4-stroke engines. The Rocker fashion was born out of necessity more than anything, wearing heavy leather jackets decorated with studs, pin badges, patches, etc. They also wore jeans or leather pants and biker boots. This attire would, therefore, all be brought together in a uniformly black ensemble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bands like The Beatles<\/em>, The Rolling Stones<\/em> would later take the Rocker culture out of England with them as they \u201cInvaded\u201d America. And while this biker culture would not resemble what we may consider a rockstar\u2019s outfit to look like today, because once it had hit the United States in the 60s, it would take on many different forms, much like Rock music itself, over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a>Punk<\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe Punk subculture was a rebuttal of the pretensions of mainstream music, so probably deviated the furthest from black with their vivid pink mohawks and green spikey hair. Offensive T-shirts also gained popularity in punk fashion, and many punk bands decided to stick with black T-shirts and jeans. But, if you look at famous bands from the 70s in particular, such as The Clash<\/em> or The Ramones<\/em>, black, boots, and leather remain despite the deviations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a>Metal<\/h3>\n\n\n\nMetal fashion is almost exclusively black. But Metal also embraced body modification and piercings in particular, along with Corpse paint \u2013 black and white makeup used to make performers look inhuman, corpse-like, or demonic \u2013 and extra-long hair. Some examples of Metal artists that had a major influence on Metal fashion include Judas Priest, Motorhead, Iron Maiden<\/em>, and Metallica<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhile Metal fashion has evolved, black, leather, and long hair have remained constant. Like Rockers, attire is often adorned with patches, studs, and pins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Goth<\/h3>\n\n\n\nGoth fashion is a more extreme version of metal fashion. The Gothic subculture, which was inspired by the likes of Marc Bolan, The Velvet Underground<\/em>, The Doors<\/em>, David Bowie, Brian Eno, and Iggy Pop. tends to be defined by dark and homogenous features.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIt borrows from both Punk and metal but also mixes in old fashions, like Victorian-era dresses. It is also closely associated with Emo fashion and Emo music \u2013 another Rock music subgenre. However, goth bands are not afraid to mix in scarlet or violet or other astonishingly colored accessories and hairstyles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Goth subculture has subcultures, such as Deathrock, Haute Goth, Gothic Lolita, Aristocrat, Cybergoth, and Traditional Goth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some of the biggest Gothic Rock artists include Alice Cooper, Marilyn Manson, Nine Inch Nails<\/em>, 45 Grave<\/em>, Magazine<\/em>, Siouxsie and the Banshees<\/em>, and Joy Division<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCountless other Rock Music subcultures have adopted black and have evolved the \u201cTraditional\u201d Rock music attire in other directions. But there are some simpler explanations for why black has remained constant and a favorite among Rock bands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a>Badboy Image<\/h2>\n\n\n\nJust as was the case with Rockers, black has given rockstars a bad boy image. Rockers wore their dark attire to appear intimidating. They would strip their motorcycles and repurpose them for the same purpose. This compliments the rebellious nature of Rock music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Performatively, this helps Rock bands craft their image and adopt dark, mysterious, and domineering stage presences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Convenience<\/h2>\n\n\n\nIt is also possible that Rock bands tend to wear black because they\u2019re on the road so often, and black clothes are easier to keep clean. And, for most stages, backstage crews require everyone to wear black. It is an industry standard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some venues will even add a clause to Rock bands\u2019 contracts that stipulate that they can only wear black on stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Unified Ensemble<\/h2>\n\n\n\nOn stage, the most practical reason for Rock bands to dress in all-black is the same reason that Classical orchestras opt to do so. Unlike solo artists, who you\u2019ll often see adorned in bright colors and elaborate outfits in their live shows to draw attention to themselves, Rock bands need to come across as a unit, with one piece of the band not stealing the limelight from the rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rock music is a collaboration, and all members of the ban need to present themselves to audiences on a unified front. Black also allows the artists to fade into the background, putting their music at the forefront of attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, Rock music is a diverse genre with several subcultures, but all Rock bands uniformly embrace black. Black is a uniform for Rock artists deeply embedded in their music\u2019s culture and has been for more than half a century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are also many practical reasons for Rock bands to wear black (a lot) because it helps them draw attention away from themselves and to their music and black clothes are easy to travel with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Black attire and Rock music are practically synonymous and cannot be separated, no matter how many times the music has been splintered and how many subcultures develop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nSources:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Punk fashion | Wikipedia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nCorpse paint | Wikipedia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nRocker (subculture) | Wikipedia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy Do Musicians Always Wear Black? | Nicole Warner, mezzo-soprano<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy the heck do musicians always perform in black? | Classic FM<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Punk<\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe Punk subculture was a rebuttal of the pretensions of mainstream music, so probably deviated the furthest from black with their vivid pink mohawks and green spikey hair. Offensive T-shirts also gained popularity in punk fashion, and many punk bands decided to stick with black T-shirts and jeans. But, if you look at famous bands from the 70s in particular, such as The Clash<\/em> or The Ramones<\/em>, black, boots, and leather remain despite the deviations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a>Metal<\/h3>\n\n\n\nMetal fashion is almost exclusively black. But Metal also embraced body modification and piercings in particular, along with Corpse paint \u2013 black and white makeup used to make performers look inhuman, corpse-like, or demonic \u2013 and extra-long hair. Some examples of Metal artists that had a major influence on Metal fashion include Judas Priest, Motorhead, Iron Maiden<\/em>, and Metallica<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhile Metal fashion has evolved, black, leather, and long hair have remained constant. Like Rockers, attire is often adorned with patches, studs, and pins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Goth<\/h3>\n\n\n\nGoth fashion is a more extreme version of metal fashion. The Gothic subculture, which was inspired by the likes of Marc Bolan, The Velvet Underground<\/em>, The Doors<\/em>, David Bowie, Brian Eno, and Iggy Pop. tends to be defined by dark and homogenous features.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIt borrows from both Punk and metal but also mixes in old fashions, like Victorian-era dresses. It is also closely associated with Emo fashion and Emo music \u2013 another Rock music subgenre. However, goth bands are not afraid to mix in scarlet or violet or other astonishingly colored accessories and hairstyles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Goth subculture has subcultures, such as Deathrock, Haute Goth, Gothic Lolita, Aristocrat, Cybergoth, and Traditional Goth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some of the biggest Gothic Rock artists include Alice Cooper, Marilyn Manson, Nine Inch Nails<\/em>, 45 Grave<\/em>, Magazine<\/em>, Siouxsie and the Banshees<\/em>, and Joy Division<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCountless other Rock Music subcultures have adopted black and have evolved the \u201cTraditional\u201d Rock music attire in other directions. But there are some simpler explanations for why black has remained constant and a favorite among Rock bands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a>Badboy Image<\/h2>\n\n\n\nJust as was the case with Rockers, black has given rockstars a bad boy image. Rockers wore their dark attire to appear intimidating. They would strip their motorcycles and repurpose them for the same purpose. This compliments the rebellious nature of Rock music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Performatively, this helps Rock bands craft their image and adopt dark, mysterious, and domineering stage presences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Convenience<\/h2>\n\n\n\nIt is also possible that Rock bands tend to wear black because they\u2019re on the road so often, and black clothes are easier to keep clean. And, for most stages, backstage crews require everyone to wear black. It is an industry standard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some venues will even add a clause to Rock bands\u2019 contracts that stipulate that they can only wear black on stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Unified Ensemble<\/h2>\n\n\n\nOn stage, the most practical reason for Rock bands to dress in all-black is the same reason that Classical orchestras opt to do so. Unlike solo artists, who you\u2019ll often see adorned in bright colors and elaborate outfits in their live shows to draw attention to themselves, Rock bands need to come across as a unit, with one piece of the band not stealing the limelight from the rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rock music is a collaboration, and all members of the ban need to present themselves to audiences on a unified front. Black also allows the artists to fade into the background, putting their music at the forefront of attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, Rock music is a diverse genre with several subcultures, but all Rock bands uniformly embrace black. Black is a uniform for Rock artists deeply embedded in their music\u2019s culture and has been for more than half a century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are also many practical reasons for Rock bands to wear black (a lot) because it helps them draw attention away from themselves and to their music and black clothes are easy to travel with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Black attire and Rock music are practically synonymous and cannot be separated, no matter how many times the music has been splintered and how many subcultures develop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nSources:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Punk fashion | Wikipedia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nCorpse paint | Wikipedia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nRocker (subculture) | Wikipedia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy Do Musicians Always Wear Black? | Nicole Warner, mezzo-soprano<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy the heck do musicians always perform in black? | Classic FM<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Metal<\/h3>\n\n\n\nMetal fashion is almost exclusively black. But Metal also embraced body modification and piercings in particular, along with Corpse paint \u2013 black and white makeup used to make performers look inhuman, corpse-like, or demonic \u2013 and extra-long hair. Some examples of Metal artists that had a major influence on Metal fashion include Judas Priest, Motorhead, Iron Maiden<\/em>, and Metallica<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhile Metal fashion has evolved, black, leather, and long hair have remained constant. Like Rockers, attire is often adorned with patches, studs, and pins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Goth<\/h3>\n\n\n\nGoth fashion is a more extreme version of metal fashion. The Gothic subculture, which was inspired by the likes of Marc Bolan, The Velvet Underground<\/em>, The Doors<\/em>, David Bowie, Brian Eno, and Iggy Pop. tends to be defined by dark and homogenous features.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIt borrows from both Punk and metal but also mixes in old fashions, like Victorian-era dresses. It is also closely associated with Emo fashion and Emo music \u2013 another Rock music subgenre. However, goth bands are not afraid to mix in scarlet or violet or other astonishingly colored accessories and hairstyles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Goth subculture has subcultures, such as Deathrock, Haute Goth, Gothic Lolita, Aristocrat, Cybergoth, and Traditional Goth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some of the biggest Gothic Rock artists include Alice Cooper, Marilyn Manson, Nine Inch Nails<\/em>, 45 Grave<\/em>, Magazine<\/em>, Siouxsie and the Banshees<\/em>, and Joy Division<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCountless other Rock Music subcultures have adopted black and have evolved the \u201cTraditional\u201d Rock music attire in other directions. But there are some simpler explanations for why black has remained constant and a favorite among Rock bands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a>Badboy Image<\/h2>\n\n\n\nJust as was the case with Rockers, black has given rockstars a bad boy image. Rockers wore their dark attire to appear intimidating. They would strip their motorcycles and repurpose them for the same purpose. This compliments the rebellious nature of Rock music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Performatively, this helps Rock bands craft their image and adopt dark, mysterious, and domineering stage presences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Convenience<\/h2>\n\n\n\nIt is also possible that Rock bands tend to wear black because they\u2019re on the road so often, and black clothes are easier to keep clean. And, for most stages, backstage crews require everyone to wear black. It is an industry standard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some venues will even add a clause to Rock bands\u2019 contracts that stipulate that they can only wear black on stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Unified Ensemble<\/h2>\n\n\n\nOn stage, the most practical reason for Rock bands to dress in all-black is the same reason that Classical orchestras opt to do so. Unlike solo artists, who you\u2019ll often see adorned in bright colors and elaborate outfits in their live shows to draw attention to themselves, Rock bands need to come across as a unit, with one piece of the band not stealing the limelight from the rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rock music is a collaboration, and all members of the ban need to present themselves to audiences on a unified front. Black also allows the artists to fade into the background, putting their music at the forefront of attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, Rock music is a diverse genre with several subcultures, but all Rock bands uniformly embrace black. Black is a uniform for Rock artists deeply embedded in their music\u2019s culture and has been for more than half a century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are also many practical reasons for Rock bands to wear black (a lot) because it helps them draw attention away from themselves and to their music and black clothes are easy to travel with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Black attire and Rock music are practically synonymous and cannot be separated, no matter how many times the music has been splintered and how many subcultures develop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nSources:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Punk fashion | Wikipedia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nCorpse paint | Wikipedia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nRocker (subculture) | Wikipedia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy Do Musicians Always Wear Black? | Nicole Warner, mezzo-soprano<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy the heck do musicians always perform in black? | Classic FM<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
While Metal fashion has evolved, black, leather, and long hair have remained constant. Like Rockers, attire is often adorned with patches, studs, and pins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Goth<\/h3>\n\n\n\nGoth fashion is a more extreme version of metal fashion. The Gothic subculture, which was inspired by the likes of Marc Bolan, The Velvet Underground<\/em>, The Doors<\/em>, David Bowie, Brian Eno, and Iggy Pop. tends to be defined by dark and homogenous features.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIt borrows from both Punk and metal but also mixes in old fashions, like Victorian-era dresses. It is also closely associated with Emo fashion and Emo music \u2013 another Rock music subgenre. However, goth bands are not afraid to mix in scarlet or violet or other astonishingly colored accessories and hairstyles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Goth subculture has subcultures, such as Deathrock, Haute Goth, Gothic Lolita, Aristocrat, Cybergoth, and Traditional Goth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some of the biggest Gothic Rock artists include Alice Cooper, Marilyn Manson, Nine Inch Nails<\/em>, 45 Grave<\/em>, Magazine<\/em>, Siouxsie and the Banshees<\/em>, and Joy Division<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCountless other Rock Music subcultures have adopted black and have evolved the \u201cTraditional\u201d Rock music attire in other directions. But there are some simpler explanations for why black has remained constant and a favorite among Rock bands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a>Badboy Image<\/h2>\n\n\n\nJust as was the case with Rockers, black has given rockstars a bad boy image. Rockers wore their dark attire to appear intimidating. They would strip their motorcycles and repurpose them for the same purpose. This compliments the rebellious nature of Rock music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Performatively, this helps Rock bands craft their image and adopt dark, mysterious, and domineering stage presences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Convenience<\/h2>\n\n\n\nIt is also possible that Rock bands tend to wear black because they\u2019re on the road so often, and black clothes are easier to keep clean. And, for most stages, backstage crews require everyone to wear black. It is an industry standard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some venues will even add a clause to Rock bands\u2019 contracts that stipulate that they can only wear black on stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Unified Ensemble<\/h2>\n\n\n\nOn stage, the most practical reason for Rock bands to dress in all-black is the same reason that Classical orchestras opt to do so. Unlike solo artists, who you\u2019ll often see adorned in bright colors and elaborate outfits in their live shows to draw attention to themselves, Rock bands need to come across as a unit, with one piece of the band not stealing the limelight from the rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rock music is a collaboration, and all members of the ban need to present themselves to audiences on a unified front. Black also allows the artists to fade into the background, putting their music at the forefront of attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, Rock music is a diverse genre with several subcultures, but all Rock bands uniformly embrace black. Black is a uniform for Rock artists deeply embedded in their music\u2019s culture and has been for more than half a century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are also many practical reasons for Rock bands to wear black (a lot) because it helps them draw attention away from themselves and to their music and black clothes are easy to travel with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Black attire and Rock music are practically synonymous and cannot be separated, no matter how many times the music has been splintered and how many subcultures develop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nSources:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Punk fashion | Wikipedia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nCorpse paint | Wikipedia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nRocker (subculture) | Wikipedia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy Do Musicians Always Wear Black? | Nicole Warner, mezzo-soprano<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy the heck do musicians always perform in black? | Classic FM<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It borrows from both Punk and metal but also mixes in old fashions, like Victorian-era dresses. It is also closely associated with Emo fashion and Emo music \u2013 another Rock music subgenre. However, goth bands are not afraid to mix in scarlet or violet or other astonishingly colored accessories and hairstyles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Goth subculture has subcultures, such as Deathrock, Haute Goth, Gothic Lolita, Aristocrat, Cybergoth, and Traditional Goth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some of the biggest Gothic Rock artists include Alice Cooper, Marilyn Manson, Nine Inch Nails<\/em>, 45 Grave<\/em>, Magazine<\/em>, Siouxsie and the Banshees<\/em>, and Joy Division<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Countless other Rock Music subcultures have adopted black and have evolved the \u201cTraditional\u201d Rock music attire in other directions. But there are some simpler explanations for why black has remained constant and a favorite among Rock bands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just as was the case with Rockers, black has given rockstars a bad boy image. Rockers wore their dark attire to appear intimidating. They would strip their motorcycles and repurpose them for the same purpose. This compliments the rebellious nature of Rock music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Performatively, this helps Rock bands craft their image and adopt dark, mysterious, and domineering stage presences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is also possible that Rock bands tend to wear black because they\u2019re on the road so often, and black clothes are easier to keep clean. And, for most stages, backstage crews require everyone to wear black. It is an industry standard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some venues will even add a clause to Rock bands\u2019 contracts that stipulate that they can only wear black on stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On stage, the most practical reason for Rock bands to dress in all-black is the same reason that Classical orchestras opt to do so. Unlike solo artists, who you\u2019ll often see adorned in bright colors and elaborate outfits in their live shows to draw attention to themselves, Rock bands need to come across as a unit, with one piece of the band not stealing the limelight from the rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rock music is a collaboration, and all members of the ban need to present themselves to audiences on a unified front. Black also allows the artists to fade into the background, putting their music at the forefront of attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, Rock music is a diverse genre with several subcultures, but all Rock bands uniformly embrace black. Black is a uniform for Rock artists deeply embedded in their music\u2019s culture and has been for more than half a century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are also many practical reasons for Rock bands to wear black (a lot) because it helps them draw attention away from themselves and to their music and black clothes are easy to travel with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Black attire and Rock music are practically synonymous and cannot be separated, no matter how many times the music has been splintered and how many subcultures develop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sources:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Punk fashion | Wikipedia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Corpse paint | Wikipedia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Rocker (subculture) | Wikipedia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Why Do Musicians Always Wear Black? | Nicole Warner, mezzo-soprano<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Why the heck do musicians always perform in black? | Classic FM<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a>Badboy Image<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Convenience<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Unified Ensemble<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n