About Pop music, the Swastika and the Third Reich
Some of rock 'n' roll's most celebrated figureheads have flirted with the imagery and theatre of the Third Reich. From Keith Moon and Vivian Stanshall kitting themselves out in Nazi uniforms to Siouxsie Sioux and Sid Vicious brandishing swastikas in the pomp of punk, performers have associated themselves in troubling ways with the aesthetics, mass hysteria and even ideology of Nazism. Whether shock factor, stupidity, or crass attempt at subversion, rock 'n' roll has indulged these associations in a way not accepted by any other artform.
In his new book This Ain't Rock 'n' Roll award-winning music historian Daniel Rachel considers why so many have been drawn to the imagery of a movement responsible for the twentieth century's worst atrocities.
He is joined in conversation with acclaimed cultural commentator and journalist Jon Savage, author of the classic England’s Dreaming: Sex Pistols and Punk Rock and This Searing Light, the Sun and Everything Else: Joy Division, the Oral History.
Followed by a book signing.
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Daniel Rachel
Daniel Rachel is a former musician-turned-award-winning and bestselling author.
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Daniel's previous works include: Isle of Noises: Conversations with Great British Songwriters (a Guardian and NME Book of the Year), Walls Come Tumbling Down: The Music & Politics of Rock Against Racism, 2 Tone and Red Wedge (winner of the Penderyn Music Book prize), Don't Look Back in Anger: the Rise & Fall of Cool Britannia (an Evening Standard and Metro Book of the Year), The Lost Album of The Beatles: What if the Beatles hadn't Split Up? (Guardian Book of the Day and Amazon No. 1 Bestseller), Too Much Too Young: The 2 Tone Records Story: Rude Boys, Racism and the Soundtrack of a Generation (a Sunday Times, Uncut, Rough Trade US and Resident Music Book of the Year), One For The Road: The Life & Lyrics of Simon Fowler & Ocean Colour Scene, Oasis: Knebworth: Two Nights That Will Live Forever (with Jill Furmanovsky – A Sunday Times bestseller), When Ziggy Played the Marquee by Terry O'Neill (editor) and co-writer of Ranking Roger's autobiography I Just Can't Stop It: My Life in The Beat (a Vive Le Rock Book of the Year).
Jon Savage
Jon Savage is the author of numerous books on popular culture.
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Jon's books include England’s Dreaming: Sex Pistols and Punk Rock, winner of the Ralph Gleason Award, Teenage: The Creation of Youth 1875–1945, 1966: The Year the Decade Exploded, winner of the Penderyn Music Book Prize) This Searing Light, the Sun and Everything Else: Joy Division, the Oral History and The Secret Public: A Queer History of Pop. He is the writer of the award-winning film documentaries The Brian Epstein Story (1988) and Joy Division (2007), as well as the feature film Teenage (2013). His compilations include Meridian 1970 (2005) and Queer Noises: From the Closet to the Charts, 1961–1976 (2006).
Venue and bar opening times
This is an in-person only event in the British Library Knowledge Centre.
The Knowledge Centre and bar open from 18.00.
Please arrive no later than 15 minutes before the start time of this event. If you have specific access requirements please email customer@bl.uk
Concessions
There are a range of concessions available. These include discounts for British Library Members, Young Persons (16–25s), and visitors on Universal/Pension Credit and free entry for carers.
