| Author Name: | Starr, Larry and Waterman, Christopher |
|---|---|
| Date: | {{{date}}} |
| Journal: | [[{{{journal}}}]] |
| Volume: | {{{volume}}} |
| Topic: | Blackface Minstrelsy |
| Pages: | {{{pages}}} |
The authors examine popular music in the United States from its beginnings to the end of the 20th century, furthering our understanding of the relationship between music, culture, and social identity. Organized historically, the book is unified by several recurrent themes: the development of critical listening skills, the multicultural roots of popular styles, the relationship between music and social identity, the influence of technology on music, and the structure and function of the music industry. The book integrates detailed discussions of particular popular songs and recordings with a thoughtful consideration of the broader historical and cultural context. Other distinctive features include a rich illustration program, strong pedagogy including numerous boxed inserts, inclusion of earlier American popular music, and well-organized listening charts with lyrics. Themes such as the multicultural roots of popular styles, the development of musical technology, and the operations and strategies of the music industry unify the text.