Generally, alternative applies to music found off the beaten track, artists that one simply does not hear on mainstream sources. Alternative music incorporates many of the styles that simply do not fit into any other genre. A recording that responds to a hit, usually by another artist. Are You Lonesome Tonight by Elvis. As you might suspect, most answer records are not nearly as good as the originals.
Some collectors specialize in answer records.
Active from 1942 until 1961. Important early acts included Ray Charles, Lavern Baker, Ruth Brown, Big Joe Turner, the Cardinals, Clovers, Drifters, and, on the Atco subsidiary, the Coasters. Later soul acts included Aretha Franklin, Solomon Burke, and Wilson Pickett. Atlantic also had major rock and roll artists such as Led Zeppelin, Bobby Darin, the Rascals, and, again on their Atco subsidiary, Cream. Atlantic Records started in 1949 and is still active today.