Rock 'n' Roll and War and Peace chronicles and examines the relationship between popular music in the Rock era and the politics and ideology of war and peace throughout the past half-century. This is a topic that, while it's been touched on in a variety of ways, has never been deeply explored in a single coherent work, especially one that links the various eras and movements, from the 1960s through the 2000s. The book offers portraits of dozens of artists and insights into the meaning and impact of hundreds of songs across more than five decades. The focus of the first section, "Ending War," is the Vietnam War and the 1960s Woodstock Generation: the first time in history that popular music turned against an active American war effort. The author reviews all of the highlights of this period of vintage protest music, from Folk pioneers Pete Seeger and Bob Dylan, through Jimi Hendrix and Marvin Gaye, to John Lennon and Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. The dominance of these revolutionary artists, and of similar anti-war messages from a wide variety of musicians, represented a cultural and political shift of seismic proportions that would carry across generations. The second section, "Living in Peace," then chronicles the musical and social transformation that followed the end of Vietnam hostilities starting in the mid-1970s: the rise of Folk Rock and mellow singer-songwriters, and a new introspective, detached and melancholy ethos within the growing Rock/Pop culture. The likes of Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, and James Taylor carried forward the idealism of the '60s pacifist movements, but focused away from global geopolitics and inward on the dreams and insecurities of adulthood. A strain of peaceful Soft Rock came to dominate the post-War airwaves, which the chapter relives with insights into dozens of performers and songs of the period. Part 3 is then called "Returning to Battle," and highlights the renewed focus on anti-militarism of the next generations of Rock musicians and fans. If the Woodstock movement could help end an ill-conceived war, how would those '60s veterans' children respond when the next waves of war drums began to sound? The answers are found in a wealth of musical reactions to global events from the 1980s to the recent past: nuclear saber-rattling under Reagan and Thatcher; the unraveling of the Cold War and the Soviet empire; the first Gulf War; the 9/11 attacks; and the massive protests against the Iraq War. This latest period in particular has received relatively little attention compared with Vietnam era protest music, yet it yielded its own large body of diverse contributions: from major established stars (Springsteen, U2), highly popular newcomers (Green Day, Black-Eyed Peas), and senior veterans of the original movement (Neil Young). The story of these musical and ideological linkages, from the earliest roots of 1960s anti-war protests through the peaks of their revival in the 2000s, is one that will be of interest to a large audience of music fans, history buffs, and social activists alike.

Drooling fanatic, n. 1. One who drools in the presence of beloved rock stars. 2. Any of a genus of rock-and-roll wannabes/geeks who walk around with songs constantly ringing in their ears, own more than 3,000 albums, and fall in love with at least one record per week. With a life that’s spanned the phonographic era and the digital age, Steve Almond lives to Rawk. Like you, he’s secretly longed to live the life of a rock star, complete with insane talent, famous friends, and hotel rooms to be trashed. Also like you, he’s content (sort of) to live the life of a rabid fan, one who has converted his unrequited desires into a (sort of) noble obsession. Rock and Roll Will Save Your Life traces Almond’s passion from his earliest (and most wretched) rock criticism to his eventual discovery of a music-crazed soul mate and their subsequent production of two little superfans. Along the way, Almond reflects on the delusional power of songs, the awkward mating habits of drooling fanatics, and why Depression Songs actually make us feel so much better. The book also includes: • sometimes drunken interviews with America’s finest songwriters • a recap of the author’s terrifying visit to Graceland while stoned • a vigorous and credibility-shattering endorsement of Styx’s Paradise Theater • recommendations you will often choose to ignore • a reluctant exegesis of the Toto song “Africa” • obnoxious lists sure to piss off rock critics But wait, there’s more. Readers will also be able to listen to a special free mix designed by the author, available online at www.stevenalmond.com, for the express purpose of eliciting your drool. For those about to rock—we salute you!

Chronicles the history of blues music from its emergence in the early 1900s through the twentieth century, and describes the musical accomplishments of Leadbelly, Bessie Smith, Howlin' Wolf, Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Jimmy Reed, B.B. King, and others. Includes an audio CD.

Using the essentially rhetorical (some might say theological) question: "What was the first rock 'n' roll record?" as its starting point, this unique book nominates 50 records for the honor, beginning with an early live recording, "Blues, Part 2" (1944) and ending with Elvis Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel" (1956). Forewords by Billy Vera and Dave Marsh.

Comic monologues Characters: 1 male Bare stage This non-stop tour through some oddball minds by the author of Talk Radio and Drinking in America enjoyed a lengthy run Off-Broadway. Originally performed as a one man show, the hilarious, riveting and often disturbing monologues can be presented by several actors or actresses. "With this brilliant show, his funniest and scariest yet, Mr. Bogosian has crossed the line that separates an exciting artist from a

Washington, D.C.-based rock 'n' roll antihero Ian F. Svenonius provides an unparalleled and exquisitely provocative how-to guide for rock bands.

The 45 record sleeve has long been viewed as a medium for design experimentation, a blank slate onto which designers could unleash their creativity and ingenuity. From the 1950s to the 1980s, before the 45 was replaced by the CD, and then in the 1990s, when grunge became the rage and 45s enjoyed a resurgence in popularity, 45 record–sleeve design combined photography, illustration, color, and typography with innovative bravado. For this reason, vintage 45 record sleeves today are sought-after collectibles by music buffs and designers alike. Compiled by well-known designers and authors Spencer Drate and Judith Salavetz, Five Hundred 45s contains more than 500 examples of striking seven-inch record sleeve design across every genre of music and its great musicians—all reproduced at full size. This gorgeous book includes a foreword by Lenny Kaye, music critic and guitarist for the Patti Smith Group, as well as essays offering diverse perspectives on the subject by avid collectors, industry insiders, and designers. The book is organized into thematic chapters, with a mix of dynamic, visually inspiring pairings on every spread. A discography at the back provides complete information for each sleeve, rounding out this highly collectible volume.

A photographic look into the world of vinyl record collectors—including Questlove—in the most intimate of environments—their record rooms. Compelling photographic essays from photographer Eilon Paz are paired with in-depth and insightful interviews to illustrate what motivates these collectors to keep digging for more records. The reader gets an up close and personal look at a variety of well-known vinyl champions, including Gilles Peterson and King Britt, as well as a glimpse into the collections of known and unknown DJs, producers, record dealers, and everyday enthusiasts. Driven by his love for vinyl records, Paz takes us on a five-year journey unearthing the very soul of the vinyl community.

In the golden era of rock 'n' roll, there was one name who rivaled Elvis Presley, both in style and talent: Eddie Cochran. In his short 21 years, Eddie Cochran changed the face of music forever—despite his life being cut tragically cut short when he died in a car crash on his 1960 tour of England. Born in a small town in Minnesota to humble beginnings, Eddie unleashed a wave of raw talent and energy that defied the norms of the era, becoming a trailblazer of the rockabilly sound and look. His smash hits “Summertime Blues,” “C’mon Everybody,” and “Three Steps to Heaven” are still entertaining audiences and being covered by musicians today, some sixty years after they were first recorded. Cochran’s guitar style and songwriting not only landed him in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, it has influenced nearly every major rock ‘n’ roll musician, from Paul McCartney and Marc Bolan, to Bruce Springsteen and Joan Jett. Eddie Cochran: In Person! not only details the life and career of a rock 'n' roll icon, it tells the extraordinary story of how a collector came into possession of the contents of Eddie’s childhood bedroom, which had remained undisturbed and unseen by anyone outside of the Cochran family since his death. Cochran’s fascinating story, lavishly illustrated with personal mementos, scrapbooks, and even a mockup of his never-released second album, all thought lost for more than sixty years, as well as exquisite performance and portrait photography, paints a picture of what it was like to be a rock ‘n’ roll superstar on a meteoric rise. NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN COLLECTOR’S PIECES: All the images and ephemera collected in this book are being published for the first time. ONE OF A KIND: Eddie Cochran: In Person! is the first photographic biography to chronicle the life and times of Eddie Cochran, immortalizing the artist in stunning high-resolution photos and ephemera. BEST-SELLING AUTHOR Lee Bullman (Blowback, Twenty Sixteen) provides expert insight into the life and times of Eddie Cochran, giving an intimate glimpse into the man behind the music.