3/28/18 Class Reflection (Digital Scavengerhunt)

I researched the music term “rock ‘n’ roll” and read a June 1984 newspaper article titled “ROCK: Heart of rock and roll is still beating in the good old U.S ROCK,” from the Chicago Tribune that centered around a discussion of the genre. Here, rock ‘n’ roll is described as patriotic, but not in a “blind, flag waving variety.” It uses Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the USA” album as an example because it’s not a typical American anthem drenched in pride and love for the fifty states. However, rock ‘n’ roll is “essentially American music.” The article also criticizes the nature of record companies that seek a certain image over the substance. Frank Sinatra is an example of a desirable image that is favored over a truly talented and inspiring artist who look to make an impact on the world. The article talks about how there are a multitude of good music towns that the corrupt industry will never know exists and it’s not that the artist/band isn’t working hard enough to be discovered, it’s solely on the industry. I found through this article the downsides of an artist’s journey in the music business. Many, if not at all at some point lose their artistry and market themselves whether they want to or not. Clearly, not much has changed in the last 34 years in the music industry and I wonder if the record companies will ever be more geared towards the artists’ best interests and less about making a profit for themselves. Good music deserves good representation that will be fair and respectful to the artist, producing their material as is and that’s what the people listening deserve as well. As the article states, “(music) should come from the heart, not from the mind.”

 

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