Rebels Wit Attitude: Subversive Rock Humorists

by Iain Ellis

Rock music has been the principal outlet of youth rebellion for more than half a century, and though rock rebels have been idolized and profiled extensively, their humor has not been at the center of attention. In Rebels Wit Attitude , music writer Iain Ellis throws a spotlight on the history of humor in rock music, and its use as a weapon of anti-establishment rebellion. The performers who are the subjects of Ellis’ study are not merely musicians or comedians—they are artists whose works exude defiance and resistance. Discussing the work of iconic figures as diverse as Chuck Berry, Bob Dylan, Lou Reed, the Beastie Boys, and Madonna, Ellis reveals how issues of politics, ethics, race, and gender, among others, have energized their expressions of rock (and) humor. Rebels Wit Attitude is an entertaining look at some of the greatest rebels in American rock culture and a fascinating history of humor and dissent.

Genres: Music, Humor, Nonfiction

352 pages, Paperback

First published October 29, 2008

Reviews

[Eric Ganci · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is chocked full of interesting facts and analysis of a long timeline of music. It’s really well thought out and written.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

We may tend to forget that the true driving force behind pop and rock music of the latter half of the 20th Century (and up to the present day) has been subversive humor. In most cases, this humor was deliberately designed to delight teenagers and the anti-establishment while pissing off parents and social conservatives. At other times, scathing, sarcastic humor is turned inward or even unleashed upon the audience. Humor, like fashion and attitude is one of the essential anchors that does as much to leave some people out of an artist's circle as to bring audience members in. Being in on the joke is one of the central factors that determine whether we are a fan of an artist or genre. By putting forth a wide-range of examples from a vast array of compartments within pop and rock music, Iain Ellis asks the reader to transcend the differences between these genres to demonstrate their common themes. No matter how banal we may regard the soft rock of the 70's or bizarre and frightening the image of Marilyn Manson, it is possible to find common targets at which both genres aim their irony and wry wit to create something unexpected and very funny. In demonstrating this, the author is also able to examine other cultural changes taking place in the last 60 years with regard to how audiences, corporations and the musicians themselves regard their music. While frequently bogged down with semiotic quirks that defined his Gen-X leanings toward academic wordplay, Ellis provides a fun and fast read to any music aficionado who finds discussions like this one just as much fun as putting the needle on the groove.

[Larry-bob Roberts]

I was browsing this at a store. It looked like an interesting concept, but it seemed to be missing a chapter on queer humor in music -for instance, could write about stuff like fake homos the Frogs vs. Pansy Division.

[Tali · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned a lot. But Iain Ellis needs to take a page from another book, and learn to insert some humor of his own.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good informational book. Reading it for a communications class, and giving a speech on "Political Punks"...