Rock Music: Home
"Rock 'n' roll is an attitude, it's not a musical form of a strict sort. It's a way of doing things, of approaching things ... It's a way of living your life."
Lester Bangs, 1982 interview with Jim DeRogatis from Let It Blurt
Bob Dylan and Robbie Robertson, Knoxville, Tenn., October 8, 1965. Robert Bolton Collection (#20408), Southern Folklife Collection, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
About
One of the most popular music genres of the 20th century, rock music represents the voice of youth culture. Its origins in blues, country, folk, gospel, and rhythm and blues influence its numerous sub-genres and styles. From the perspectives of both rockstar and scholar, rock music has lived, died, and done everything in between. The purpose of this LibGuide is to help researchers acknowledge the ever-changing nature of rock music and navigate its diverse interpretations using resources available at UNC Chapel Hill Libraries. This guide was created by graduate student assistant Kensington Laube.
Organization
This LibGuide is organized into six sections:
1. Defining the Genre
An introduction to rock music as a classification with a collection of library resources pertaining to its characteristics, styles, and discourses.
2. History
A chronological guide of rock music's evolution from its early influences to the present day. This section includes library resources that describe the essential elements of each era.
3. Artists
A preliminary of library resources providing research materials on rock artists and their work.
4. Criticisms
A topical guide of scholarship regarding the social criticisms of rock music. This section includes library resources on the representations of race and ethnicity, women, LGBTQIA+, and class in rock music.
5. North Carolina
An overview of library resources relating to rock musicians and rock music scenes in North Carolina.
6. Registering and Requesting Materials
Instructions for viewing rock music-related materials at The Wilson Special Collections Library.
Subject Guide
