Rock and roll

Posted January 8, 2021 Article

How rock became white – part 3

Whitewashing the history of Classic Rock

by Geoff Bailey

In the final of a three-part series, Geoff Bailey, looks at the racial politics of rock and roll in the creation of “Classic Rock”, and how they inform a critique of the concept of cultural appropriation.

Posted October 6, 2020 Article

How rock became white (part 2)

A change is gonna come: Motown, The Beatles, and the rise of Soul

by Geoff Bailey

In the second of a three-part series, Geoff Bailey, looks at the process of cultural commodification and the racial politics of The Beatles, Motown, and the rise of Soul. Plus we listen to some great music…

Posted August 16, 2020 Article

How rock became white (part 1)

The complications of cultural appropriation

by Geoff Bailey

In the first of a three-part series, Geoff Bailey, looks at the racial politics surrounding the birth of rock and roll and their implications for our understanding of racism today.