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Overview
Music has always been a source of controversy, from "Puff the Magic Dragon" to "Cop Killer," Elvis to Eminem, Dylan to the Dixie Chicks, and Madonna to Marilyn Manson. In this extensively researched ode to scandal, historian and musician Peter Blecha recounts the travails of the musicians and songs that have dared to push the hot-button topics that polite society has deemed unacceptable. Filled with several centuries' worth of raunchy sex ditties, morbid murder ballads, blasphemous satanic songs, paeans to intoxicating substances, and outrageous political antics, this unique compendium uncovers the stories of censors' efforts to squelch these acts of expression. It examines the various societal forces - such as repressive governments, busybody community organizations, and self-appointed moral guardians - that have worked to limit how artists are allowed to express themselves, and makes clearer what censorship means for all.Synopsis
From the Taliban to Tipper Gore, political establishment "control freaks" have frequently responded to the perceived societal dangers of music by attempting to suppress its ability to communicate the "wrong" ideas. Largely concentrating on attempts to censor American post-war popular music, but not infrequently bringing in examples from other places and times, this historical survey devotes separate chapters to censorship efforts based on charges of promoting licentiousness, drugs, devil-worship, violence, and political subversiveness. The book also includes a foreword by former Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
Northwest Historian
Taboo explores the socio-political causes behind censorship campaigns and documents the repression of various forms of music on a global scale.
Editorials
Allan Handelman
a must-read for music lovers, pop culture historians and government watchdogs...this book is compelling.—Rock Talk radio, May 20, 2004
Andy Gray
the timing couldn't be better...meticulously researched...Blecha doesn't offer a blanket defense for every song included in the book. Instead, he puts them in historical perspective.—Tribune Chronicle, June 17, 2004
Annie Nakao
Taboo Tunes "romps through centuries of public outrage over music of every sort, from bawdy tavern ditties to gritty hip-hop.—San Francisco Chronicle, May 30, 2004
Audra Schroeder
Tunes is an amazing and witty history of lawmen and moral busybodies with too much time on their hands.—New Times Broward-Palm Beach, June 3, 2004
Belltown Paper
entertaining and enlightening...Blecha’s encyclopedic knowledge of pop music affords him a unique perspective on the timely subject of music censorship and its relationship to political and popular culture.—May 1, 2004
Dave Chamberlain
An evenhanded (though pro-music) look at the various attempts [at censorship] made on rock 'n' roll, blues and hip-hop.—New City Chicago, June 2, 2004
Gilbert Garcia
A compelling look at the history of censored music.—San Antonio Current, May 27, 2004
Jim Derogatis
Taboo Tunes couldn't arrive at a better time...Blecha traces the long, sad history of conservatives with too much time on their hands and overactive imaginations.—Chicago Sun-Times, May 9, 2004
Jordan Harper
Taboo Tunes is a compendium of teenage rebellion and adult fear; it's a great read.—Riverfront Times, May 12, 2004
Laura Francis
probing...exhaustively researched...intelligent...a fascinating read.—Exclaim!, June 1, 2004
New York Press
Peter Blecha has written the first comprehensive history of music censorship.Northwest Historian
Taboo explores the socio-political causes behind censorship campaigns and documents the repression of various forms of music on a global scale.NPR
Taboo Tunes is "about the power of music and the authorities who seek to control it."—All Songs Considered, June 1, 2004
Rolling Stone magazine
Taboo Tunes serves a worthy purpose.—June 24, 2004
Steve Hochman
With the current run of events, it seems Blecha’s publication timing is perfect.—Los Angeles Times April 25, 2004
Terry Lawson
'Taboo Tunes' is both a concise history of musical censorship and an argument against it.—Detroit Free Press, May 23, 2004