Rockin' the Classics and Classicizin' the Rock: A Selectively Annotated Discography; First Supplement

(Hardback)

Available Formats

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

The average listener may be unaware of the many links between rock music and the classics. One might remember a few examples, such as Walter Murphy's chart-topping "A Fifth of Beethoven" or Eric Carmen's "All by Myself", but pass them off as interesting anomalies. However, the influence of the classics on rock music is pervasive and grows from a long line of precedents. This supplement to Janell R.Duxbury's original 1985 discography, "Rockin' the Classics and Classicizin' the Rock", brings the earlier work up-to-date with hundreds of new entries documenting recently released or newly discovered examples of the interconnection between these musical genres. Duxbury details more than 300 new examples of recorded rock instrumentals and songs that borrow musical themes from the classics. Variations range from contemporary renditions of complete classical works to brief classical quotes or phrases subtly incorporated into rock compositions. Duxbury also gives additional examples of recorded orchetstral versions of songs originally composed and/or written by rock artists. In these examples, the musical style varies from strict classical interpretations to pop-style orchestral renditions. The supplement then expands Duxbury's original compilation of sound recordings and live performances of rock groups performing with established orchestras and choruses, selected samples of recorded rock music that simulates baroque or classical sound/structure, examples of the manifest influence of rock on classical music, and instances of rock artists and classical artists switching roles. Lastly, this discography updates the 1985 version with new information, expanded details, and minor corrections to the earlier work.

Author Bio

JANELL R. DUXBURY is a Librarian in Central Technical Services-Humanities, Memorial Library, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her first discography of Rockin' the Classics was published in 1985. She has also contributed an article, Shakespeare Meets the Backbeat: Literary Allusion in Rock Music, in Popular Music and Society.