Band (rock and pop)

Musical ensemble A band plays live music for an audience in Montreal, Canada The Band were a Canadian-American rock band formed in Toronto, Ontario, in 1967. They are pictured here in 1969. A rock band or pop band is a small musical ensemble that performs rock music, pop music, or a related genre. A four-piece band is the most common configuration in rock and pop music. In the early years,[when?] the configuration was typically two guitarists (a lead guitarist and a rhythm guitarist, with one of them singing lead vocals), a bassist, and a drummer (e.g. the Beatles and Kiss). Another common formation is a vocalist who does not play an instrument, electric guitarist, bass guitarist, and a drummer (e.g. the Who, the Monkees, Led Zeppelin and U2). Sometimes, in addition to electric guitars, electric bass, and drums, also a keyboardist (especially a pianist) plays. Some rock and pop bands count as boy bands or girl bands, and often include members who do not play any instruments but sing harmony and dance instead. Such is the case of Menudo, the Spice Girls and K-pop groups, for example. Etymology The usage of band as "group of musicians" is first attested in 1659 when it referred to mu