Growing up is hard to do
Rock and roll performers as cultural heroes
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 2154971 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Daniel Dotter (University of Tennessee at Martin, corresponding author) |
| Year | 1987 |
| Volume | 7 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 25-44 |
| Publication date | 1987-01-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Sociological Spectrum (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0273-2173 • E-ISSN: 1521-0707 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/02732173.1987.9981805 |
| OpenAlex | W2047795597 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 10 |
| References cited | 7 |
This paper describes the changing nature of the rock and roll artist as a cultural symbol. The first rock stars (e.g., Elvis) were heroes for the young but decidedly antiheroic to adult society. Transitional ones (e.g., Beatles, Bob Dylan) contributed to the commercial viability of rock and more sharply defined their antiheroism in the 1960's. Contemporary artists are drawn from a wider variety of backgrounds (e.g., Tina Turner, Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen) and their cultural significance extends beyond their musical talents. The Live Aid, USA for Africa, and Farm Aid efforts illustrate the latter point. The contemporary heroic status of rock stars is due to two factors: 1) Over the years rock and roll has gradually become pop music; and 2) The antiheroic protests that rock was originally identified with have become more acceptable, even institutionalized. Rock stars are a kind of “new” hero. Their link to the mass media ensures visibility and discloses their antiheroism as well. In a complex process of social typing (also involving media and various audiences), they may reinforce cultural dreams and values, suggest deviant modes of expression, or aid in the development of new cultural forms
Aesthetics · Archaeology · Art · HERO · Linguistics · Literature · Lyrics · Musical · Popular music · Rock art · Rock music · Sociology · Visual arts · History · Music History and Culture · Philosophy · Sport and Mega-Event Impacts · Theater, Performance, and Music History
Exploiting stigma
The social world of semiprofessional bluegrass musicians∗
Fall from grace
Gauging Outcomes of the 1960s Social Equality Movements
Notes on the Enduring Popularity of a Signature Doors Song
Rock in a Hard Place
Introduction
What's the buzz
Teenagers, behavioral problems, and preferences for heavy metal and rap music
Creating Deviance
| Unique citing works | 10 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,26 |
| Citation span | 1987 - 2009 (23) |
| Citation velocity | historical |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 10 |