The late 1960s and early 1970s saw the flourishing of an American counterculture that affected many walks of society. The movement's music provided the soundtrack for this bellwether time in American cultural history. Such performers as Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Phil Ochs, Arlo Guthrie, The Doors, John Lennon, James Brown, Jimi Hendrix, and The Grateful Dead ushered in new sounds, as well as new attitudes and philosophies for an emerging generation. With vibrant narrative chapters on the role of music in the anti-war movement, the Black power movement, the women's movement, political...

Held over three days in August 1969, the Woodstock festival was, for many, the culmination of the counterculture movement. More than 35 years later, the word "Woodstock" conjures notions of Edenic peace and love, a landmark moment from the Sixties that is both unforgettable and inimitable. In this authoritative reference guide--the first of its kind--historian James Perone presents encyclopedic entries on all the performers who played Woodstock, including Joan Baez, Country Joe and the Fish, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Jimi Hendrix, Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin, Ten Years After,...

Prince's early albums "Dirty Mind, 1999," and "Purple Rain," established him as a major force in American pop music. His combination of rock and funk was unique, and drew both critical praise and commercial attention. The 1990s found Prince forming a new group, moving back in the direction of R&B, and eventually adopting an unpronounceable symbol as his moniker. By the end of the millennium, he was again exploring an eclectic collection of musical styles and enjoying a resurgence of interest in his well-known song 1999. Prince is one of the few artists of the entire rock era who...

Musical floodgates were opened after the Beatles' first appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" on February 9, 1964. Suddenly, the U.S. record charts, radio, and television were overrun with British rock and pop musicians. Although this British Invasion was the first exposure many Americans had to popular music from the United Kingdom, British pop -- and more specifically British rock and roll -- had been developing since the middle of the 1950s. Author James Perone here chronicles the development of British rock, from the 1950s imitators of Elvis Presley and other American rockabilly...

Howard Hanson details the career and works of a composer called by several critics the most important figure in American music in the second quarter of the 20th century. Hanson's compositions elicited the broadest possible range of critical reaction. While early works from the 1920s were viewed as dissonant, avant-garde experimentations, within a decade his compositions in a similar style were viewed as solid, conservative works. Within this range, it was generally agreed that Hanson represented the best in solid compositional and orchestrational technique, and audiences greeted his new...

Presenting detailed bibliographic information on all aspects of harmony in music, with the broadest possible historical and stylistic palette, this work includes over 2,600 total citations. The sources range from treatises, dissertations, and textbooks to journal articles and book reviews, and are cross-referenced and indexed. This is the most complete bibliographic reference guide of its kind on harmony. Including harmony-related materials from the Baroque period through the present day, the work contains chapters devoted to book-length treatises and their related citations, a general...

This comprehensive bibliography serves as a major reference guide to the serious study of American singer and songwriter Paul Simon, well known for his work as part of the musical duo Simon and Garfunkel as well as for his successful solo career. Following a brief biography, the bibliography includes 660 citations and detailed publication information on over forty musical scores of his songs. The discography details information on Simon's thirty-one albums and sixty-four singles. This work provides complete coverage of Paul Simon's career over the past thirty-five years from his late...

Songwriter. Pop star. Gay activist. Cancer survivor. Advocate for cancer victims. Human being. Melissa Etheridge is all of these things, and all of these elements of who she is have played an instrumental role in her music from the beginning of her career to the present day. "The Words and Music of Melissa Etheridge" examines Melissa Etheridge's contributions to pop music in the tradition of other greats such as Janis Joplin, Bruce Springsteen, and Rod Stewart. Written by a music scholar and Etheridge fan, this book investigates her work chronologically by time period, underscoring her...

Well-known music author James Perone looks at 100 songs that helped tell America's story. He examines why each song became a hit, what cultural and social values it embodies, what issues it touches upon, what audiences it attracted, and what made it such a definitive part of American history and popular culture.

The chart-topping singles presented here crossed gender, age, race, and class lines to appeal to the mass American audience. The book discusses patriotic songs, minstrel music, and sacred songs and hymns as well as music in the broad categories of pop, rock, hip hop,...

Elvis Costello is one of the greatest pop songwriters of his generation as well as one of the most significant songwriters of the 20th century. His career's length now approaching four decades, Costello continues to be vital part of pop culture through live performances, recordings, and the iconic nature of his work. "The Words and Music of Elvis Costello" provides in-depth analysis of this important artist's words, music, and recordings.

Arranged chronologically, the book places Costello in the cultural context of his time and place; addresses the overlaps between rock, classical,...