Alternative rock is a genre of rock music that emerged from the underground music scene of the 1980s and became widely popular in the 1990s. The term 'alternative' was used to describe a variety of music styles that differed from the mainstream rock of the time. The alternative rock movement was led by bands such as R.E.M., Nirvana, and Pixies, who broke through to commercial success in the early 1990s. Alternative rock bands such as Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, and Radiohead have continued to enjoy success in the 2000s and 2010s.
