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

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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

See Examples For:

rockabilly

A minute of research, or just an honest accounting that nearly all his early rockabilly hits were cover songs, puts the lie to the idea that Elvis was a drawling bolt from the blue.

From Salon ● Oct. 30, 2026

But the music journalist persisted, disarming the musician by presenting him with some guitar picks that had belonged to Cliff Gallup, one of Beck’s early rockabilly heroes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 30, 2026

While acts may vary, expect an emphasis on acoustic, rockabilly and Western stylings spread across six stages, turning the park into a mini live music venue.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 17, 2025

The rockabilly revival of the next decade gave rise to renewed interested in Mr. Eddy’s work.

From New York Times ● May 1, 2024

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

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

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