From the most explosive lyrics and chart-busting albums and singles to the greatest compositions and pivotal performances this is an overview of each moment's impact on modern music, on popular culture, and on rock evolution. At once critical analysis of these seminal moments, and glorious celebration of 100 years of popular music. Some moments are legendary - the spectacular explosion of punk in 1977, the genius of John Lennon's songwriting. Others are more subtle - groundbreaking productions that inspired decades of imitators, the first use of the MOOG synthesizer, the untimely death of an icon or the first breakdance. Each moment is placed in its historic, cultural and musical context creating an intelligent, accessible guide to a century of popular music from around the world.