Devil's Music, The
Book Description
When rock and roll burst onto the American scene in the 1950s, religious leaders condemned it as dangerous and demonic. Ministers warned their congregations about the corrupting influence of this new musical form, with evangelist Billy Graham declaring the driving rhythms were forces "working in the world for evil." Yet within decades, Christian rock had transformed into a thriving billion-dollar enterprise.
Randall J. Stephens traces this remarkable cultural shift in a narrative that reveals the complex relationship between faith and popular music. The story begins with an unexpected connection: many rock pioneers, including Elvis Presley, Little Richard, and James Brown, grew up in energetic Southern Pentecostal churches. The worship styles, musical expressions, and spiritual fervor of these tongue-speaking congregations profoundly shaped the sound and spirit of early rock music.
As the genre gained popularity, white religious leaders attempted to protect their communities from what they termed "blasphemous jungle music." Their resistance intensified during the 1960s when figures like John Lennon claimed the Beatles were more popular than Jesus. Stephens demonstrates how religious opposition to rock often masked deeper racial anxieties and political tensions.
The transformation came in the early 1970s when evangelical Christians reversed course, embracing rock music as a powerful tool for spreading their message. This strategic shift created an influential fusion of conservative faith and popular culture that continues to shape American religious and musical landscapes today.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~10 hours)
📄 Length: 344 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Rock music
- ✓ Explore History and criticism
- ✓ Explore Church music
- ✓ Explore Christianity
- ✓ Explore Religious aspects
- ✓ Explore Rock music, history and criticism
- ✓ Explore History
- ✓ Explore Fundamentalism
