BRITANNIA ROCKS

Catalog description

This course examines the history of the British music industry since 1971 (the post-Beatles world). We will focus on the artists/technicians responding to the music itself as well as the record companies in addition to reactions to economic, political, and cultural currents in Britain and the world. Themes will include: how progressive rock gave rise to various genres such as metal, glam, punk, and techno music; punk and reggae as a rebellion for the economic and political underclass; the popularity of black American musicians in northern soul and the spread of new wave to the United States (the 2nd British Invasion); the economic impact of technological innovations on the studio system and giant label distribution; the influence of television and marketing techniques; and the alliance of political agendas with Britpop.