When the Music Mattered: Rock in the 1960s

by Bruce Pollock, Bruce Pollack

Traces the history of the sixties in America through its popular music and includes interviews with musicians about their experiences

Genres: Music

243 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

In his introduction, one of Bruce Pollock's opening lines is: "Rather than meaning to encapsulate an era, the subjects chosen, as well as the suggested playlists, instead reflect a picture of my eclectic taste as I came of musical age in a time of sex, drugs, rock, and revolution, not necessarily in that order."

Mr. Pollock certainly gives his readers what he promises. There is a wonderfully eclectic mix of music and musicians in this fascinating book. Bruce Pollock is a magnificent writer (I have read many of his articles and interviews in the many music magazines his work has been published in), and I truly believe that Bruce Pollock is one of the greatest writers of Twentieth Century music.

When the Music Mattered is both fun and brilliant, and it is filled with one enlightening paragraph after another.

Although I did not come of musical age until the 1970s, I enjoyed this book so much. I discovered some new musicians while at the same time learned more about the musicians I thought I already knew everything about!!

I highly recommend this book to EVERYONE.... because, really, is there ANYONE who doesn't love music???

[Gwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was written in early to mid 80s and has several interviews with recording artists from the 60s that make it a very interesting read. Though some of the information is dated it is closer to the time period and memories seem to be more clear about what actually happened.

I enjoyed the lists of songs that fit the particular chapters and give a picture of what was going on and the popular tastes of the times. The writing was clearly understood and the stories were interesting.

Some of the interviewees are Peter Tork (of the Monkees), Marty Balin (Jefferson Airplane and Starship), Tracy Nelson and more.

I recommend this book to anyone interested in the music scene, especially the great music years of the 1960s.

[Joe Schilp · Rating 2 out of 5]

Like much of the music of the 60s, this booked is dated and did not age well. The author, like many of his generation, think back wistfully on "his" music. It's what he grew up on, so it's the most important music ever... to him. But while he applies his standards and experience to everyone his age, the fact is that most of his generation were not protesting or occupying buildings on college campuses. Yes, there was some great music to come from the 60s, but there is great music in every generation and much of the psychedelia and folk of the 60s makes absolutely no sense - and is thoroughly unappealing - to millennials.

In retrospect, we were never "on the eve of destruction." But the left is always about extremes ("we have 12 years to save the earth!). And most Baby Boomers knew that the "free love" hippie crowd would amount to nothing.

I also disliked his put-downs of The Beatles as mere pop love songs. McCartney sells out stadiums today and many in his audience are 30-and-under. Roger McGuinn couldn't even sell-out an acoustic gig in my living room.