[uniqueid]

The nature of the question strikes me as a bit odd. If you don't have any enthusiasm for music history, I don't see what's to be gained by forcing yourself to learn about it. If it's not for fun, other subjects would have a greater impact on your career.

At any rate, the easiest thing to do would be to dive into classical music, rather than popular music. In classical, there's only around a dozen composers with whom anyone expects you to be familiar.