The Cambridge Companion to Pop and Rock

Maps the world of pop and rock: its history, its stars and its controversies.

Simon Frith (Edited by), Will Straw (Edited by), John Street (Edited by)

9780521556606, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 16 August 2001

324 pages, 15 b/w illus.
24.1 x 16.8 x 1.8 cm, 0.52 kg

'Suitable as an introductory-level undergraduate book and there is also sufficient novelty of approach within some of the chapters to interest graduates and researchers alike.' European Journal of Communication

This Companion maps the world of pop and rock, pinpointing the most significant moments in its history and presenting the key issues involved in understanding popular culture's most vital art form. Expert writers chart the changing patterns in the production and consumption of popular music, the emergence of a vast industry with a turnover of billions and the rise of global stars from Elvis to Public Enemy, Nirvana to the Spice Girls. They trace the way new technologies - from the amplifier to the internet - have changed the sounds and practices of pop and they analyse the way maverick entrepreneurs have given way to multimedia corporations. In particular they focus on the controversial issues concerning race and ethnicity, politics, gender and globalisation. Contains full profiles of a selection of figures from the pop and rock world.

Notes on contributors
Acknowledgements
Introduction and chronology of pop and rock
Part I. Context: 1. 'Plugged in': technology and popular music Paul Théberge
2. The popular music industry Simon Frith
3. Consumption Will Straw
Star profiles I: Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones, James Brown, Marvin Gaye
Part II. Texts, Genres, Styles: 4. Pop music Simon Frith
5. Reconsidering rock Keir Keightley
6. Soul into hip-hop Russell A. Potter
7. Dance music Will Straw
8. World music Jocelyne Guilbault
Star profiles II: Bob Marley, David Bowie, Abba, Madonna, Nirvana, Public Enemy, Derrick May, The Spice Girls
Part III. Debates: 9. Pop, rock and interpretation Richard Middleton
10. Popular music, gender and sexuality Sara Cohen
11. Rock, pop and politics John Street
12. From rice to ice: the face of race in rock and pop Barry Shank
13. The 'local' and 'global' in popular music Jan Fairley
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Cultural studies [JFC], Rock & Pop music [AVGP]