Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Pages: 292
•
Trim: 6¼ x 9⅜
978-1-4422-6604-9 • Hardback • December 2016 • $53.00 • (£41.00)
978-1-5381-1909-9 • Paperback • November 2018 • $31.00 • (£25.00)
978-1-4422-6605-6 • eBook • December 2016 • $29.50 • (£25.00)
Sean Kay is Robson Professor of Politics and Government and Director of the Arneson Institute for Practical Politics/ International Studies at Ohio Wesleyan University. He is also an Associate of the Mershon Center for International Security Studies at the Ohio State University and a non-resident fellow at the Eisenhower Institute in Washington, D.C.
Kay draws on scores of firsthand accounts (derived from interviews) and published sources in this wide-ranging overview of rock 'n' roll. Comprising nine chapters, the book opens with a chapter titled ‘Bob Dylan’s America,’ which focuses on folk music and the social content of rock 'n' roll since the 1960s. Subsequent chapters take up freedom, equality, human rights, peace, education, activism, and money, and the volume concludes with a chapter titled ‘Rockin’ the Free World.’ Scores of performers are discussed (the focus is on the US, but various other countries are also represented). For example, the chapter on peace begins with Pete Seeger, then looks at Rage against the Machine, Country Joe McDonald, System of a Down, and David Crosby—relating all to international wars and events of the 20th and 21st centuries. The endnotes and lists of sources, particularly the numerous interviews, are helpful. This is a useful addition to the untold number of studies of rock 'n' roll, particularly because the author includes music industry executives, foundation administrators, and music journalists as well as performers.
Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty; general readers.
— Choice Reviews
Sean Kay’s Rockin’ the Free World! is a declaration of faith, in the music and in America.
— The Huffington Post
"Kay brings his undoubted expertise in the international relations to bear on a series of more than 50 interviews he conducted with some of the most prominent and influential artists, producers, managers and journalists in the industry....He explores case after case of rock and roll's broader cultural impact on geopolitics, human rights, and racial and social equality."
— Survival
Sean Kay has written a fun and engaging book that demonstrates the many ways rock and roll music has intersected with political and civic life across much of the world since the 1960s. This book, neatly organized, generally optimistic, and useful for casual and expert readers alike, is Kay’s testament to the inherent strength and benevolence of the rock and roll spirit. The obvious joy here signals his evangelism and belief that this spirit is indeed quite vital and powerful.
— Journal of American Culture
From the Interviews:- “I have children. I have grandchildren. I’ve got to remain positive. I’ve got to think that I can help make the world a better place for myself and my family and my friends. Everything starts inside, doesn’t it? How far can the ripples go once you throw that stone into the pool.”—Graham Nash
- “Dance your way out of constriction, man. That’s what ‘One Nation’ was about – and that’s what people did.” — George Clinton
- “You can get kind of philosophical about it, but when you look at the intersection of what society was going through – music, alternative viewpoints, social change, environmental awareness – I mean what did Rachel Carson and the Grateful Dead have in common? More than you might think.” — Cameron Sears, former manager of the Grateful Dead
- “Ultimately, you can call things as they are – be they realpolitik, realist and whatnot and in the end, depress everyone to death. But, without telling them, ‘Look, this is a choice’ – that’s very important – giving them the optimism to make that choice and saying that, ‘…it doesn’t have to be this way: War is Over!’” — Serj Tankian, System of a Down
- “I think accountability is a key idea in the 21st century. If you don’t have accountability, you don’t really have freedom. I don’t mean just holding politicians to account, I mean those in economic power also to account.” — Billy Bragg
- “It’s not completely over, but yeah, we won the culture war.” — Jann Wenner