either a shadowy, distant phenomenon or, conversely, an entity that seems too familiar, the need for a book that illuminates rock's historical formation has become increasingly urgent. To be sure, there are numerous textbooks that supply a narrative of rock's general stylistic development. Still there exists no anthology of historically based readings that sufficiently brings to life the often contentious issues, arguments, conflicts and creative tensions that have defined rock's momentous rise and spread. "The Rock History Reader" seeks to fill that gap. Either as a primary textbook or as a supplement to a narrative history, "The Rock History" "Reader" promises to set a new standard for introductory courses on the topic.

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