Rock music as a genre has much to recommend it. Dramatic, engaging, and filled with hard-hitting lyrics and charismatic vocalists, it’s little wonder its popularity has endured from its earliest incarnation in the 50s through to the rock stars of today.
From Coldplay to Arctic Monkeys to Thirty Seconds to Mars, rock hits continue to top the charts, but even outside of popular music, there’s one place where this genre reigns supreme: we’re talking about the world of musicals.
While the two may not be inexorably linked, there are an incredible number of smash-hit shows that have taken this brand of music and married it to compelling stories and complex characters. Here are three of the best.
Rent
Rock music has long been a source of inspiration for content creators. With its inherent drama providing the perfect backdrop for everything from movie megahits like Top Gun through to our favorite TV shows, it even features in a number of slots that rock, from the ever-popular KISS game to the animated Rockstar Riches. One of the best examples of it being put to good use is Broadway phenomenon Rent. Created by Jonathan Larson, this compelling musical tells the story of a group of impoverished artists and close friends, who are living beneath the shadow of the AIDS crisis and struggling to survive and thrive in a world where they don’t fit. Compelling, clever, and occasionally tragic, it’s one of the best stage productions you could ever hope to watch.
Jesus Christ Superstar
Created by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber in 1970, Jesus Christ Superstar is a rock opera unlike any other. Beginning its life as a concept album, its strength unsurprisingly lies in its wonderful music and gripping lyrics. Sung through with little spoken dialogue, the story is relayed through the eyes of Judas Iscariot and covers the final week of Jesus’ life. While it may sound rather highbrow and unexciting, the opposite is true, and the many contemporary takes on this unique and original work mean that it never stops feeling fresh.
We Will Rock You
Last but not least, We Will Rock You! Created in 2012, it’s an ode to the wonderful compositions of legendary British rock band Queen. Sharing the story of a group of rebellious bohemians, who struggle to fit into a world that doesn’t accept their freethinking approach to life, it’s set in a future where music is forbidden and rock unknown. Having traveled to six different continents and become the 15th longest-running musical in West End history, it’s fair to say the show has been a hit with audiences since its inception, so if you’re looking for something fun, uplifting, and thought-provoking, this is the production for you.
When it comes to rock musicals, they have the unique ability to marry two different worlds – to combine the drama and grit of mainstream music with the technical brilliance and hard-hitting stories told on stage. In doing so, they have the opportunity to create something legendary, and in the cases of these three exceptional pro
