Thursday, September 17, 2015
Steve Earle: "Rock ‘n roll becomes an art form at the moment when Bob Dylan wants to be John Lennon and John Lennon wants to be Bob Dylan. It’s the lyrics that elevated rock ‘n roll to an art form. Rock ‘n roll ends up being a loud form of pop music and staying that way if it hadn’t been for the lyrics being bumped up a level with Bob."
I think this is kind of mostly true, but I also think that it underestimates Chuck Berry, who expresses a vision of America (that he couldn't even fully participate in) in as pure a poetic vision as William Carlos Williams. Rock and Roll was an art form as soon as Chuck turned Ida Red into Maybellene.
I think this is kind of mostly true, but I also think that it underestimates Chuck Berry, who expresses a vision of America (that he couldn't even fully participate in) in as pure a poetic vision as William Carlos Williams. Rock and Roll was an art form as soon as Chuck turned Ida Red into Maybellene.
// posted by Bill @ 5:37 PM 
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