Final answer:
Discothèques in the late 1960s America primarily featured DJ-mixed music, which differed from live rock bands or punk performances. They became spaces for social interaction and musical experimentation that laid the groundwork for electronic dance music. Alan Freed was a notable DJ from an earlier era who popularized rock 'n' roll, showing the evolution of music culture from the 1950s to 1960s.
Step-by-step explanation:
The discothèques of the late 1960s in America primarily featured DJ-mixed music. These venues provided an environment where DJs would play and mix records, which allowed for continuous dancing and musical exploration. Unlike the live rock bands that characterized earlier parts of the decade, discothèques focused on the skills of the DJs to create a seamless musical experience. The popularity of discothèques was indicative of the cultural shifts occurring during that time, as they became hotspots for social interaction, dancing, and the latest trends in music. While discothèques didn't originate electronic dance music (EDM), they were instrumental in its development by providing a platform for DJs to experiment with new sounds. At the same time, discothèques were distinctly different from underground punk performances, which often took place in different types of venues with a focus on live performances by punk bands.
During this era, DJs gained recognition, and figures like Alan Freed, who was a disc jockey that popularized rock and roll, became prominent. However, the rise of discothèques marked a shift from rock and roll's emotional expression towards a more rhythmically-driven dance music culture. By the late '60s, the cultural landscape had shifted significantly since the early days of rock 'n' roll in the 1950s, when it served as a form of rebellion and a blending of racial lines through music. The close of the '60s would lead into the disco era of the '70s, where dance music and the culture surrounding discothèques would become even more mainstream.