ROCK MUSIC IN AMERICAN CULTURE. The Sounds Of Revolution.

In the years following World War II, something vital and original was born in the restive cauldron of American culture. At that moment the voice of this vital and original something came fully into its own. It was insistent, loud and bawdy, and it finally had a name. It was Rock and Roll, and it was about to challenge society's values about race, sex, love, work, patriotism, fashion, commercials and religion that lay at the core of the traditional vision of America. Rock music strongly exemplifies a contrary set of values and issues its own clarion call for freedom and individuality.
From its roots in the black and white "under classes" through its clash with the broader culture to its multifaceted incarnation today, rock and roll has fostered and reflected a genuine cultural revolution which has gone on to influence the world. This narrative investigates rock music from a rarely seen philosophical perspective. Topics covered include a definition of rock music and a suggested typology; an examination of rock on radio, television, film and the Web; and a depiction of what is to come. Of particular interest is how rock's shifting mores have mirrored and influenced the complex changes experienced by American society as it has undergone almost continuous turbulence.

ROBERT PIELKE, a native of Baltimore, Maryland, now lives in Claremont, California. He earned a B.A. in History at the University of Maryland, an M. Div. in Systematic Theology at the Lutheran Seminary at Gettysburg, and a Ph. D. in Social Ethics from the Claremont Graduate School.

He taught on ground and online for countless years at George Mason University in Virginia, El Camino College in California and online for the University of Phoenix. As a professor, he published a variety of articles, including an analysis of political labeling, a phenomenological depiction of science fiction, an ethical appraisal of humanity's eventual encounter with extra-terrestrials and an exploration of sex roles.

Now happily retired from "the job," he is doing what he always wanted to do since he wrote his first novel at ten in elementary school -- writing full time. In addition to his academic writings in ethics, logic, and popular culture, he has published short stories, feature articles, film reviews and both fiction and non-fiction books.

Most recently, he has updated and revised his book on rock music and has been republished by McFarland & Co. as Rock Music in American Culture: The Sounds of Revolution. Alternate Dimensions Press has published A New Birth of Freedom: The Visitor, the first book of an alternate history/time-travel/first-contact science-fiction trilogy. The second of the three, The Translator, has been published and The Historian, the final book of the trilogy, is soon to be released - both by Whiskey Creek Press.

He swims daily, skis occasionally, cooks as an avocation, watches innumerable movies, collects rock and roll concert films and is an avid devotee of Maryland crabs. His favorite film is the original Hairspray; his favorite song is "A Day in the Life;" his favorite pizza is from the original Ledo Restaurant in College Park, MD; and he is a firm believer in the efficacy of "sex, drugs and rock and roll." Somehow his family and friends put up with him.