The South has played a central and defining role in American musical history, as an inspiration for songwriters, as a source of styles, and as the birthplace of many of the nation's greatest musicians. It is impossible to think of American music in this century without such Southern-derived forms as ragtime, jazz, blues, country, gospel, rhythm and blues, Cajun, zydeco, and rock 'n' roll. These vibrant styles have been taken to heart by people around the world and have even been reintroduced to this country in altered forms through the performances of such foreign-based musicians as the Beatles and Rolling Stones.