SU professor edits anthology on history of rock music

SU professor edits anthology on history of rock musicJanuary 24, 2007Jaime Winne Alvarezjlwinne@syr.edu

Theo Cateforis, assistant professor of music history and cultures in The College of Arts and Sciences at Syracuse University, recently edited a chronological anthology on the study of rock music, “The Rock History Reader” (Routledge, 2006). Through a variety of primary source materials, “The Rock History Reader” introduces readers to the conflicts, critical tensions and inspired creativity that have defined rock music as a social practice throughout its five-decade history.

While the book is intended for use as a primary text or supplement for college-level courses on the history of rock, it also will be of general scholarly interest, as it gathers together many out-of-print and rare readings. The material that Cateforis selected covers the wide spectrum of commentary that has defined rock throughout its history. There are selections from the pens of media critics, musicologists, fanzine writers, legal experts, sociologists and prominent political figures. In addition, the book features numerous vivid autobiographical accounts from such rock icons as Chuck Berry, Ronnie Spector and David Lee Roth, as well as writings from such noted rock critics as Lester Bangs and Simon Reynolds.

With numerous readings that delve into the often explosive issues surrounding censorship, copyright, race relations, feminism, youth subcultures and the meaning of musical value, “The Rock History Reader” is an anthology with wide interdisciplinary appeal.

Cateforis specializes in popular music, American music and 20th-century art music. His articles have appeared in American Music and The Journal of Popular Music Studies. After teaching rock music classes for more than a decade, Cateforis has long recognized the need for an anthology of source readings detailing rock’s historical development. He feels the publication of “The Rock History Reader” helps to fill that gap.