Music and Protest in 1968

In fifteen case studies from around the world, contributors explore the relationship between music and socio-political protest in 1968.

In fifteen case studies from Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia, Music and Protest in 1968 presents new global perspectives on the relationship between music and socio-political protest. Chapters cover a wide range of musical styles and genres, including jazz, folk, pop, rock, early, avant-garde and experimental music.Music was integral to the profound cultural, social and political changes that swept the globe in 1968. This collection of essays offers new perspectives on the role that music played in the events of that year, which included protests against the ongoing Vietnam War, the May riots in France and the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. From underground folk music in Japan to antiauthoritarian music in Scandinavia and Germany, Music and Protest in 1968 explores music's key role as a means of socio-political dissent not just in the US and the UK but in Asia, North and South America, Europe and Africa. Contributors extend the understanding of musical protest far beyond a narrow view of the 'protest song' to explore how politics and social protest played out in many genres, including experimental and avant-garde music, free jazz, rock, popular song, and film and theatre music.