Final answer:
Southern rock is a genre blending blues, country, and rock with a southern American cultural emphasis. Classic bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Allman Brothers Band exemplify the southern rock sound. Diverse rock genres also include grunge and surf rock, illustrating rock's rich evolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
When discussing the southern rock sound, we are referring to a genre that blends elements from blues, country, and rock to create a distinctive style characterized by guitar-driven melodies, a strong rhythm section, and often incorporating elements of southern American culture and themes. This sub-genre stood in contrast to other rock styles due to its particular combination of instruments and its cultural emphasis on the American South. Well-known examples of southern rock can be attributed to bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd with their hit “Sweet Home Alabama.” and The Allman Brothers Band with songs like “Ramblin' Man.”
While Temple of the Dog's "Hunger Strike" is an example of grunge and not southern rock, listening to various clips can help illustrate the diversity of the rock genre as a whole. Classic rock, grunge, and surf rock demonstrate how rock music has evolved, with southern rock being one of its many facets. To fully appreciate the southern rock sound, one might explore further by listening to other prominent bands within the genre such as Molly Hatchet, Blackfoot, and The Marshall Tucker Band.