When Music Mattered: American Music in the Sixties

This book explores the socio-political essence of the American Sixties through the lens of popular music, examining the hopes, frustrations, and crises of conscience that bothered Americans of all ages and political persuasions.

Format: Hardback
Length: 265 pages
Publication date: 28 April 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This captivating book delves into the vibrant and transformative era of the American Sixties, exploring the profound socio-political essence that permeated various forms of music during this pivotal time. While its five main chapters are titled Folk, 'Rock, 'Jazz, 'Avant-Garde, and 'Classical, the true essence of the book lies in its exploration of the intricate web of hopes, frustrations, desires, and moral dilemmas that characterized the Sixties.

The author skillfully weaves together a rich tapestry of experiences, drawing from a wide range of sources and perspectives. The Prologue and Epilogue provide a comprehensive framework for understanding the broader context of the Sixties, while the intervening chapters delve into the intricacies of its musical landscape.

Through its meticulous analysis, the book sheds light on the complex interplay between music and society, highlighting how it served as a powerful medium for expressing and shaping the cultural and political climate of the time. It examines how musicians responded to the social and political challenges of their era, using their music as a platform for activism, social commentary, and personal expression.

The Sixties were a period of immense change and upheaval, marked by the civil rights movement, the Vietnam War, and the emergence of counterculture. The book explores how these events and movements influenced the music of the time, giving rise to genres such as folk, rock, jazz, and avant-garde that reflected the changing attitudes and values of the era.

Furthermore, the book delves into the personal experiences and struggles of individuals during the Sixties, examining how music became a means of coping with the challenges and uncertainties of the time. It explores the role of music in shaping self-identity, cultural identity, and social movements, highlighting how it played a vital role in the formation of a new generation of artists and activists.

In conclusion, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the rich tapestry of the American Sixties and the profound impact that music had on shaping this transformative era. Through its comprehensive analysis, it provides a deep insight into the hopes, frustrations, and moral dilemmas that characterized the Sixties, offering a valuable perspective on the role of music in shaping society era.

Weight: 529g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030966935
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022