rockabilly

American  

[rok-uh-bil-ee] / ˈrɒk əˌbɪl i /

noun

1. a style of popular music combining the features of rock-'n'-roll and hillbilly music.

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rockabilly British  

/ ˈrɒkəˌbɪlɪ /

noun

1. 1. a fast, spare style of White rock music which originated in the mid-1950s in the US South

   2. ( as modifier )

      a rockabilly number

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Etymology

Origin of rockabilly

1955–60, rock(-'n'-roll) + -a- connective + (hill)billy

Explanation

Rockabilly is a style of music, an early form of rock and roll. Some music experts describe rockabilly as a cross between country and rhythm and blues styles. To many people, rockabilly sounds like an old style of rock and roll mixed with bluegrass or country — in fact, the word rockabilly first appeared around 1956, from a combination of rock and hillbilly. Musicians including Johnny Cash, Buddy Holly, and Jerry Lee Lewis helped to make rockabilly popular, using vocal and guitar twangs, solid rhythms, and audio effects such as echoes. Elvis Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel" is an example of rockabilly.

Example Sentences

Among the young musicians who had started out in this place was Sam Phillips, who was already furthering blues and rockabilly at Sun Records in Memphis.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 20, 2025

“Seven Tears” has a light rockabilly swing and continues Springsteen’s affinity for the number seven, and “Unsatisfied Heart” is a heartbreaker, a legendary fan favorite that’s finally seeing the light of day.

From Salon • Jul. 8, 2025

Simpson said she first came up with the idea for the rockabilly EP when she was in Nashville celebrating her daughter Maxwell’s birthday.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 21, 2025

Van Eaton drifted away from the music business in the 1960s, but he resumed performing by the 1970s, particularly as interest in rockabilly grew following the death of Elvis Presley.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 10, 2024

They’re blocked by rockabilly tools in plaid shawl-collar blazers.

From "Landscape with Invisible Hand" by M.T. Anderson