When we talk about the brand and the cultural impact that is the music within the lives of humanity, one of the most blatantly obvious descriptors easily has to be inspiration. Not only for those artists and musicians that create melodies, of course, but also for the ripple effect of the people that hear those notes stacked in just a certain way. Arrange those pieces for one type of emotion, or move that prism in the tower in the other direction to receive the opposite.

Happy or sad. Submissive or defiant. Lost or found again. Music can inspire us into all of these separate states of mind, or can even spur us into making our own new works based upon it. Writings like these couldn't exist without the bedrock of music to help provide their shape, texture, and illustration. We have relied on music like the symphonies of composers, guiding us with a wave and a nod since we first had the ears to understand and comprehend it. Music only continues to inspire and help push our culture forward, and we're better for that.

There are several moments in music history that have proven this to the highest degree, leaving their mark on popular culture and transforming what we think of music today. From some of music's earliest iconic bands to history's most recent turbulent times, here are 10 of the most inspirational events to ever take place in the history of music.

10 The Beatles' Emergence On The Ed Sullivan Show (1964)

A Gathered Movement Fully Awakening

On February 9th, 1964, the Liverpool, England, band known as The Beatles would make their first North American television appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. Talent evaluators for the program had begun to take notice of the Fab Four in 1963 as their rising popularity in the UK had begun to both top the foreign charts and turn heads on the British concert scene. Sullivan, however, was dubious, especially as it was well-known at the time that UK acts struggled to cross over successfully to the United States.

His mind would soon be changed while he was returning home from a trip in late 1963, however, after witnessing thousands of young girls swarming London Airport in anticipation of seeing the group. This early example of what was already being called "Beatlemania" swayed Sullivan to reconsider, as the hysteria reminded him of the initial hype Elvis Presley had received. This instinct proved to be an apt prediction, as not long after Sullivan met with Beatles manager Brian Epstein to agree to have the group on his show, their music began to take the US by storm.

As a result, by the time The Beatles were ready to take to Sullivan's stage in 1964, their fame in America was a powder keg about to explode. An audience to the tune of 73 million people tuned in for the broadcast, making it the most-watched event on television for years. So many watchers gathered, seemingly magnetized by the knowledge that they were about to witness a cultural phenomenon. Across a handful of songs on Sullivan, The Beatles lit that powder keg with a stick of dynamite.

This moment opened a door not only in the careers of John, Paul, George, and Ringo, but also for a great deal more UK bands as part of the significance of the "British Invasion" that followed. The Beatles on Sullivan ultimately inspired fandom, artists, television, and the very fiber and culture of what we know as music itself. Nothing would ever be the same again, nor would we want it to be, with what this would help us to grow.

9 Bob Dylan Goes Electric At The Newport Folk Festival (1965)

The Rock And Roller's Rebellion

July 1965 at the Newport Folk Festival was not only a momentous moment in the career of Bob Dylan, but also a trend-setting statement of headstrong rock and roll iconography. In the early half of the '60s, Dylan was synonymous with acoustic-led and bred, dyed-in-the-wool traditional folk music. With just a guitar and harmonica, Dylan was embraced by the folk community as Woody Guthrie's cut-and-pasted faithful disciple. However, what occurred in '65 had some changing their tune to view Dylan as a Judas to the genre.

Prior to this date in history, Dylan had previously played Newport in 1963 and 1964, and did so in the traditionally expected, rigid folk fashion. However, when it came time to perform there again in 1965, Dylan had thoroughly tired of being forcefully pigeonholed into one expected style. Coming up on stage with his band and an electric guitar in hand, Dylan tore through first-time performances of the songs "Like a Rolling Stone," "Maggie's Farm," and "It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry." The crowd attending reacted in a mixture of cheers and booing.

Dylan had thoroughly tired of being forcefully pigeonholed into one expected style.

The harsh reaction from the Newport faithful wasn't even fully brought down when Dylan later returned to the bright lights to play two more songs solo acoustic that day. At the time, the damage had been done. In the long run, however, this moment would move mountains in how it inspired - not just in how listeners would come to view Dylan and his ultimate legacy, but also in how it would help stoke the fires of artistic defiance. The ability to freely not play by the rules and create greater artistic singularity, no matter the expectations.

8 The Symbolism Of The Woodstock Festival (1969)

Peace, Love, And Gentle Protest

Despite poor weather, a last-minute venue change, and receiving way more attendees than they'd initially expected, the three-day August 1969 Woodstock Music Festival was an inspiring example of the (no longer) little gathering that could. The free event held in Bethel, New York, had anticipated drawing 50,000 people onto the grounds; when all was said and done, however, that number had swelled much closer to half a million. But despite the hefty crowds and accommodations that couldn't quite meet the demand, the harmonious tone of the festivities was never lost, allowing the music to be the focus.

A mix of thirty-two musicians and artists played in total, including Joe Cocker, Joan Baez, Santana, Sly and the Family Stone, and Jimi Hendrix, who performed last. The peace and love exterior of Woodstock came at a critical time in American history, with the country still locked in the heated conflict of the Vietnam War in 1969, as well as the unrest that came with the ongoing Civil Rights movement. Woodstock felt like an opportunity to promote that peace and love over the vitriol of war and racial division, in a way subsequent versions of Woodstock decades later never repeated.

Just listening to Hendrix perform his signature instrumental version of "The Star-Spangled Banner" feels like the ultimate statement without words standing against violence, war, and conflict that seems so tightly wound into the saddest parts of American history. Woodstock felt like another moment of music being inspired to speak out against the worst in humanity in order to find the best parts of it.

7 The Concert For Bangladesh's Impact On The Aid Benefit (1971)

A Duo's Deed To The Marginalized Overseas

The Concert for Bangladesh was a pair of benefit shows organized on August 1st, 1971, by former Beatles guitarist George Harrison and famed Indian sitar player Ravi Shankar. The event was formulated to help provide awareness and financial aid for refugees of East Pakistan following war-related atrocities and destructive weather that had recently occurred in the country at the time. The humanitarian blueprint of the project would later influence events of similar magnitude, such as Live Aid.

A stellar group of performers was assembled for the concerts, including guitarist Eric Clapton, ex-Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, keyboardist Billy Preston, the band Badfinger, and the great singer-songwriter Bob Dylan. Shankar was also able to recruit fellow Indian musician Ali Akbar Khan for an opening set of Indian classical music, blending together the native sound of Bangladesh with Western rock and roll. The Concert for Bangladesh was a smash success, attracting 40,000 attendees and raising millions over the years, both from the show and sales of the live album and concert film that resulted.

The Concert for Bangladesh served as an inspirational reminder that music could not only come together for a cause (such as Woodstock), but it could also act as a financial positive to help change the lives of the less fortunate for the better. When used properly, music can help lift the world as we know it in so many important ways.

6 Bob Marley Performing Two Days After Being Shot (1976)

Overcoming Violence For The Pursuit Of Peace

In December 1976, Jamaican reggae music icon Bob Marley was on the cusp of performing a free show in the country in an attempt to help cease the violence that had been going on in Jamaica. However, just two days before the Smile Jamaica Concert was set to occur, Marley, his band, and a number of people close to him were victims of an attempted assassination. Seven gunmen were reportedly involved, wounding Marley, his wife, his manager, a band employee, and others, riddling his home with bullets.

Fortunately, no one was fatally injured during the event. Despite attempting to remain politically neutral during these times, Marley was wrongly associated with the political party in power in Jamaica, which, along with his fame, sadly made him a target for such an act. Not willing to be deterred or silenced by the shooting, Marley still promised to play one song during the Smile Jamaica event. In actuality, he and his band The Wailers ended up playing 90 minutes, showing Marley wouldn't be stopped from doing what he thought was right.

Another important element we often see in music is bravery - not being afraid to test sounds, to challenge accepted ideas (like Dylan at Newport Folk), and not to be shouted down by powerful forces. Marley was an inspiring figure at that moment (as he was in so many), saying that despite the violence committed against him, he would not be swayed from using his platform to spread a message of peace. Music reminds us that goodness can still prevail.

5 Michael Jackson First Popularizes The Moonwalk (1983)

A Dance Move That Still Stuns

As he was frequently known to do throughout his iconic career, Michael Jackson changed the music world as we once knew it with his television performance of the song "Billie Jean" on May 16th, 1983. Taking to the stage as part of the TV event Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever, Jackson was alongside fellow contemporaries like Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Diana Ross. But Jackson almost didn't perform "Billie Jean" that evening, as artists had been prohibited from breaking out new material.

Reportedly, the producers of Motown 25 argued over whether Jackson would be able to proceed with the song as a result. That all changed, however, when they saw his rehearsal performance of "Billie Jean," which included Jackson's take on the moonwalk dance move. The moonwalk had been around in quite a few various forms in the decades prior, and had been used in some form by performers ranging from Cab Calloway to James Brown - but Jackson had his own standout way of doing it.

That all changed, however, when they saw his rehearsal performance of "Billie Jean."

When the producers saw this, they allowed Jackson to proceed with "Billie Jean," acknowledging they had something special on their hands. That move proved to be prophetic, as audiences were enraptured by what they saw. Jackson, in his signature sequined outfit and sparkling white glove, sang and danced with all of his prime talent and rhythm in a way that was completely and utterly mind-blowing. That moment helped inspire creators and music as a movement to keep moving forward in new ways. One small step for a man, one giant leap for humankind.

4 The Relief Effort And Performances Of Live Aid (1985)

Another Instance Of Music Giving Back

Taking a page from The Concert for Bangladesh's book in 1971, musicians Bob Geldof and Midge Ure helped organize Live Aid as a means to raise money to benefit victims of famine in the country of Ethiopia. Taking place simultaneously in July 1985 at London's Wembley Stadium and Philadelphia's John F. Kennedy Stadium, it was one of the largest television broadcasts of all time, reportedly being viewed live by almost two billion people across 150 nations.

Bands like U2, Dire Straits, Queen, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, The Cars, and many others took to both stages across the span of the day. Despite a share of controversies, Live Aid ultimately raised well north of $100 million in funds and brought much-needed publicity to Ethiopia's famine plight. Much like The Concert for Bangladesh, Live Aid was another example of music being a powerful tool that could inspire and move the needle for social change. It might not have been perfect in many ways, but it showed just how much melody could move the world.

3 The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert For AIDS Awareness (1992)

Giving Back To A Fallen Friend

Legendary frontman of the band Queen, Freddie Mercury, died of an AIDS-related illness in 1991, marking not only another devastating demise related to the scourge of AIDS, but a titanic level loss to the realm of music as well. As a result, Mercury's bandmates in Queen decided to put on a benefit concert, not only in tribute to Mercury, but to help raise awareness of and prevention of AIDS. The show took place in London's Wembley Stadium in 1992, selling out 72,000 tickets in a matter of hours.

Ultimately, the show would be broadcast via both TV and radio to 76 countries around the world, with an audience of around one billion individuals. Bands that performed included Metallica, Def Leppard, and Guns N' Roses, as well as Queen with a variety of different vocalists. The profits that resulted from the event were used to form the Mercury Phoenix Trust, an organization that's been active in the prevention of AIDS and HIV worldwide ever since.

As with Live Aid and The Concert for Bangladesh, the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert was another important statement of the art of music, using the platform and position not just to honor the loss of a legend, but to take on a disease that had hurt and taken so many by that point in time. It was able to make a positive change that could help make HIV and AIDS less of a threat in this world.

2 Elton John Performs "Candle In The Wind" At Princess Diana's Funeral (1997)

Finding A Way To Cope In The Darkness

When England's Royal Family member Princess Diana died in a tragic car crash while fleeing from paparazzi in 1997, the world mourned, especially given her very positive reputation. Among those in sadness was famed singer-songwriter Elton John, who had been close friends with Diana for years and had recently reconciled their friendship following a disagreement. John wanted to pay tribute to Diana at her funeral, and was given the idea to rewrite his 1973 hit "Candle in the Wind" with songwriting partner Bernie Taupin to have applicable lyrics.

The track, originally written in tribute to actress Marilyn Monroe after her premature demise, took on a second life with words now memorializing Diana and her life that was taken far too soon. John performed the revised song at the funeral and did produce a studio recording, though he never sang it live again out of respect for Diana, despite the track's sales popularity. The moment was an inspiring situation, as it provided a way to bring creativity out in the saddest of times, to help console aching hearts. There's even beauty within that deep well.

1 Balcony Duets During COVID Lockdowns In Europe (2020)

Finding Community Even In Quarantine

During the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world lived in a state of great worry, anxiety, and panic. What did this calamity mean for the people of our entire world? What would become of us? Would we ever be able to live normally again? The fears only grew, especially as many individuals isolated themselves as required. The sense of community seemed to only feel more and more lost as the world felt like it was spinning off its axis.

Once again, however, our love and affinity for music helped bring back some sense of our togetherness and humanity. People in the United States, Italy, and all over the world who had balconies gathered together to talk, play music together, and applaud the efforts of medical professionals and first responders. Life found a way to still go on even in the hardest of times, and once again, music was right at the forefront of making that happen with unity, forever more.