Bruce Springsteen called rock and roll the "voice of America--the real America." From its roots in rhythm and blues, gospel, country, and swing, rock and roll had crossed over to the American mainstream by the mid 1950s and had become the dance music of the postwar generation. On this program, Ben Saunders talks about the roots of rock and roll and takes a look at the music of Elvis Presley; Stephen Burt explores rock and roll as a force for social change, with a look at the music of Bruce Springsteen and Bikini Kill; and Joshua Clover tells us why he thinks rock lyrics aren't poetry and considers the music of MIA and Bob Dylan.

Fifteen- and thirty-second promos available.

Image: Rock 'n' Roll - 1999 United States Postal Service. All Rights Reserved. Used with Permission.

If you are interested in this, see our piece at What's the Word? Taking Hip-Hop Seriously .

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Bruce Springsteen called rock and roll the "voice of America--the real America." From its roots in rhythm and blues, gospel, country, and swing, rock and roll had crossed over to the American mainstream by the mid 1950s and had become the dance music of the postwar generation. On this program, Ben Saunders talks about the roots of rock and roll and takes a look at the music of Elvis Presley; Stephen Burt explores rock and roll as a force for social change, with a look at the music of Bruce Springsteen and Bikini Kill; and Joshua Clover tells us why he thinks rock lyrics aren't poetry and considers the music of MIA and Bob Dylan...
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