Crisis Music The Cultural Politics of Rock Against Racism

by Goodyer, Ian

• ISBN13: 9780719079245
• ISBN10: 0719079241
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2009-09-01
• Publisher: MANCHESTER UNIVERSITY PRESS

Summary

Marching to the beat of punk rock and reggae, Rock Against Racism was a mass movement built in opposition to racism and fascism in 1970s Britain. At a time of severe economic and social crises, RAR, alongside the Anti-Nazi League, organised one of the biggest and most effective political and cultural mobilisations of the post-war period. Expressing itself through spectacular carnivals, concerts, marches and innovative forms of design and communication, RAR combined hard-headed political organisation with the optimism and energy of radical youth culture. Drawing on interviews with activists, supporters and critics, and based on the latest research, Crisis Musicexplores the nature of this ground-breaking politico-cultural phenomenon. The author explains why RAR seized upon the power and passion of punk and reggae, and how this has helped to shape the boundaries of modern popular music. He also offers, for the first time, a clear picture of the relationship between RAR and its main political sponsor, the Socialist Workers Party. Crisis Musicdiscusses RAR's place within the left's often-troubled encounters with popular culture, and draws comparisons with other music-based movements and campaigns, such as the post-war folk revival and Live 8. This book casts light on numerous current debates: about 'celebrity politics' and the role of musicians as political spokespeople, for instance, and the links between ethnicity, popular culture and politics. It will be of value to students and researchers in cultural studies, politics and labor history, and to anyone interested in the role of culture in political activity.

Author Biography

Ian Goodyer trained as a graphic designer and worked for 20 years in various London studios and agencies. He has been a political activist, a martial arts instructor and has lectured in design at colleges in London and Yorkshire. He now works at a school.

Table of Contents

List of illustrations	p. ix
Preface	p. xi
Acknowledgements	p. xv
List of abbreviations	p. xvii
Introduction	p. 1
Origins and contexts	p. 10
Critical responses to Rock Against Racism	p. 22
Rock Against Racism and the Socialist Workers Party	p. 44
Rock Against Racism, youth culture and multiculturalism	p. 81
Rock Against Racism, culture and social struggle	p. 98
Aftermath	p. 127
Conclusions	p. 153
Index	p. 161
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

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