Race, Rock, and Elvis Paperback / softback
by Michael T. Bertrand
Part of the Music in American Life series
Paperback / softback
Description
Did Elvis Presley's brand of rock 'n' roll help revise racial attitudes in postwar America?
Michael T. Bertrand delves into this question and many others to investigate popular music's revolutionary influence on black-white relations in the South.
Youthful fans of rhythm and blues, rock 'n' roll, and other black-inspired music often broke from their segregationist elders and ignored the color line.
Not coincidentally, these same young white people--the southern branch of a national and commercialized youth culture--led a general relaxation of racist attitudes.
Bertrand argues that African American music facilitated a new recognition of black people as fellow human beings.
African American audiences welcomed Elvis with enthusiasm while racially mixed audiences flocked to music venues at a time when adults expected separate performances for black and white audiences.
Bertrand also describes the critical role of radio and recordings in making African American culture available to white fans on an unprecedented scale.
Over time, southern working-class youth used the new music to define and express new values and build their own identities.
Information
-
Available to Order - This title is available to order, with delivery expected within 2 weeks
- Format:Paperback / softback
- Pages:352 pages
- Publisher:University of Illinois Press
- Publication Date:22/12/2004
- Category:
- ISBN:9780252072703
Information
-
Available to Order - This title is available to order, with delivery expected within 2 weeks
- Format:Paperback / softback
- Pages:352 pages
- Publisher:University of Illinois Press
- Publication Date:22/12/2004
- Category:
- ISBN:9780252072703
