John, I think that in the middle '60s to middle '70s, music - particularly "popular" music of the Vietnam generation - was the "social media" of its time; and, therefore, it was highly socialized and highly political. Although popular music wasn't directly interactive as are today's social media platforms, folk, rock and inner city music became accessible through inexpensive play-back media (vinyl records, tapes), to large numbers of young people. Additionally, because so much of it was based on easily played electronic gear, a large number of that youth generation -that is US - could learn, play and disseminate the music and the messages. Much of that music was deemed a "threat" to the status quo. And it was. For example, I still can play and sing several "anti-war" songs at the drop of a hat! I've always suspected that in popular music -- just like happened in the "arts" and movies -- a certain large scale counter-movement was deliberately let loose that was noisy, sensual and vacuous. Its purpose was to distract, devalue and, ultimately, destroy the integrity of popular music as a "social media," leaving what we have, in large measure, today. So, in sum, I think that one of strongest expressions of independence any of us can make is to make music (as opposed to, say, watching television). As you said: politics and music "should" always mix well.
One of your best articles Steve. Politics and music always mix well!
John, I think that in the middle '60s to middle '70s, music - particularly "popular" music of the Vietnam generation - was the "social media" of its time; and, therefore, it was highly socialized and highly political. Although popular music wasn't directly interactive as are today's social media platforms, folk, rock and inner city music became accessible through inexpensive play-back media (vinyl records, tapes), to large numbers of young people. Additionally, because so much of it was based on easily played electronic gear, a large number of that youth generation -that is US - could learn, play and disseminate the music and the messages. Much of that music was deemed a "threat" to the status quo. And it was. For example, I still can play and sing several "anti-war" songs at the drop of a hat! I've always suspected that in popular music -- just like happened in the "arts" and movies -- a certain large scale counter-movement was deliberately let loose that was noisy, sensual and vacuous. Its purpose was to distract, devalue and, ultimately, destroy the integrity of popular music as a "social media," leaving what we have, in large measure, today. So, in sum, I think that one of strongest expressions of independence any of us can make is to make music (as opposed to, say, watching television). As you said: politics and music "should" always mix well.