Rock 'Til You Drop: The Decline from Rebellion to Nostalgia

by John Strausbaugh

Book Overview

A polemic against corporate rock bands, magazines, and festivals, and anyone or anything else who commodifies rebellion. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1859846297
• ISBN13: 9781859846292
• Release Date: August 2001
• Publisher: Verso
• Length: 259 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.4" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

What's the alternative?

I see the point, but there's a bigger point: People do what they do, and like what they like. If the music of your youth was jazz, and you kept playing it into your 80s, no big deal. To expect a rock musician to be any different is unreasonable. A less successful player may appear to the world as an insurance salesman or cop, but he still keeps the weekend gig at the local bar, if he can. Everything new starts as a rebellion. We won, is that bad thing?

STRAUSBAUGH KNOWS HIS STUFF! GREAT READ FOR ALL ROCK FANS!

Strausbaugh is right on--Rock is a youth movement! It's great that kids are rediscovering all the greats. This book is written by a die-hard rock fan who knows that people are being misled when they spend hundreds to see what once was THE ROLLING STONES (or replace band name with all the old rockers who are still at it). The folks in Strausbaugh's generation lived through that great time--I can't blame them for wanting to go back. But, those of us who missed it all really should watch old footage, "listen" to the music, and have room to break new ground ourselves, without these guys hogging the limelight for $$$$$$$. "Rock" ROCKS!

WELL I HAVE READ THE BOOK! AND WELL -- IT ROCKS!

You'll notice that the dopes who dissed the book are arrogant enough to admit they've never even read it 'and never will.' How's that for the intelligent, well researched 'reader's' opinion?Strausbaugh not only loves music, but has the acumen and experience as both a rocker and a writer and to put the phenomenon of 'Rock' in perspective. The book deserves to be read as much as 'Rock' deserves its place in history. Yep -- HISTORY.

the rebel yell as marketing pitch

Maybe Strausbaugh [made] a few diehard Stones fans [mad]. The point he makes is much greater than a mere provocation on the expense of aging rock fans. Mainstream's adaption of the rebel pose, especially in advertising and marketing, did indeed take the wind out of subculture's sails. When the spirit of counterculture becomes a fashionable pose to sell compact cars and dorky pants, whilest the whole generation of baby boomers still claims the authority on youth and pop culture, it's no wonder that nihilism found it's ugly way into today's sub- and counter cultures. "Don't trust anybody over 30" is still a valid battle cry for youth. Today's Mick Jagger is an icon of an era past, just like Sinatra songs still carry the nostalgic aura of the wonderyears just after WW II.

john strausbaugh is THE MAN

This book totally rules. Don't listen to the ... first review. Strausbaugh is witty and perceptive; he writes with a cynical ease that comes off as bitingly honest and aware, not snotty and grumpy. This book tackles (and attacks) a ton of people, so I totally love it! Plus, the mentions some really cool, noteworthy, and more underground artists, like the groundbreaking Marianne Nowottny, and cites the ultimate concert phrase that sums up my review for this awesome book: woo woo!