Rock bands of the 1980’s carried certain stereotypes and upheld less than respectable reputations. In opposition to mosh pits, screaming females, and smoky venues, came U2 - an alternative rock band that upheld morals and dignity. Perhaps one of the most notable musicians of the 80’s was U2’s Irish lead singer, Bono. Bono gains the world’s respect time after time with his drive and commitment to avoiding clichés and maintaining a sound persona. Through his undeniable talent in the music industry as well as his political involvement and unending work towards world betterment, Bono proves his heroism an innumerable and continuous amount of times. In Dublin, on May 10th, 1960, Bono was born to Iris and Bob Hewson as Paul David Hewson (“Bono”). …show more content…
He has been a strong advocate for a cure to famine, disease, and poverty across African countries. He says in an interview, “What we’re all on about in Africa. Seventy percent of the problem of HIV and AIDS is in Africa. We’re talking about the continent bursting into flames while we stand around with watering cans” (Tyrangiel 69). He also works in and funds many foundations that raise money to fight AIDS, HIV, and poverty. He is a spokesperson for many organizations such as the Jubilee 2000 Project, DATA, ONE Campaign to Make Poverty History, and the Make Poverty History Movement (Fry). He founded DATA (Debt Aids Trade Africa), which is dedicated to fighting aids and ending poverty in Africa (“Bono”). Bono and his wife, Ali, established EDUN (“Bono”). Their mission is “sustainable employment in developing areas of the world” (“Bono”). He also co-founded the Product (Red) Campaign, which allows companies to sell lines of products from which profit will go towards fighting AIDS, TB, and malaria (Fry). U2 as group follows closely with Bono’s goals. They’ve performed for Band Aid and Live Aid raising more than $200 million for Ethiopian famine relief efforts (Tyrangiel 65). Bono overall proves his impressive integrity again and
Cesar Chavez was born on March 31, 1927 in a small town near Yuma, Arizona near the border. Born into a poor family, Cesar grew up in Arizona and in a small adobe home along with his parents (United Farm Workers 1). In his early life Cesar experienced a lot of injustices and saw how not only his parents, but most farm workers were being mistreated and overworked. Cesar Chavez later learned a lesson in his life about injustices that he would never be able to forget (United Farm Workers 1). Cesar would say “ the love for justice that is in us is not only the best part of our being, but is also the most true to our nature” (United Farm Workers 1).
Rock n’ roll gave people the voice they did not have in the early years. As the genre of music became more wide spread, people actually began to speak out. Altschuler touches on the exploration of how the rock n' roll culture roughly integrated with replaced and conflicted with preceding cultural values. Many of these values were very touch topics. Besides black civil rights, sexuality were one of the most sensitive t...
For those of us born at the end of the Vietnam War, much of the music from that time period can remain hidden unless we make a point of seeking it out. Radio is replete with “classic rock” format stations, but like all other forms of mass media, listeners are relegated to a passive role, with little means of changing play lists that more-often-than-not overstate the effect of the British Invasion to the detriment of American rockers. For every Led Zeppelin garnering large amounts of airplay, there is a Creedence Clearwater Revival that is overlooked. The problem with British rockers from the era of the Vietnam War is one of credibility: any British musician (such as John Lennon) who tried to protest the Vietnam War sounded contrived at best. How could a British group object to a war in which they had no direct stake? These attempts at protest by foreign bands against the Vietnam War have the appearance of an orchestrated effort to “get on the bandwagon” and sell albums by using the charged feelings of the citizenry toward an unpopular military action. While this is a cynical view, it is one that nevertheless deserves consideration.
Elton John is listed as the top supporter on www.looktothestars.org (a celebrity charity database). The famous singer has donated countless money in previous years to organizations around the world. John has retained the title of the most generous person in music for many years since 2004 (Look). A great example of the fantastic things he does was shown in 2008, when he donated over 100 motorcycles to a small African nation, for use of doctors and nurses visiting patients (Look).
Although the style of ‘Rock music’ is easily adaptable to many different sounds, it is still thoroughly identified by its definingly amplified rhythm. The sudden worldwide popularity of rock and roll resulted in an unparalleled social impact. Rock ‘n’ Roll influenced lifestyles, fashion, attitudes, and language in a way few other social developments have equaled. The social impact is so large that rock stars are worshipped worldwide. In its early years, many adults condemned the style of music, placing a stigma on its name, and forbid their children from listening and following its ways.
Some people are born to become legends, Bruce Springsteen is one of them. From the second he was born and through his younger years everyone knew he was destined for something bigger than a regular nine to five life, they just didn’t realize the magnitude of what was to come. Born into a all around food middle-class family, no on in that house hold even Bruce, didn’t realize that within fifty years he would reach living legend status. Also have a title of one of the best musicians to every live. After working hard at what he loves, Bruce has become known as a musical hero and inspiration to his fans and fellow musicians. With his deep lyrics, amazing stage presence, incredible guitar skills, and his passion, he is an untouchable force in the music industry. Using his lyrics to vent his emotions and past, but to also add awareness to social issues around the world. Bruce and his love for music affected him his whole life, and has shaped into what he is today. His music now affects the world. His music has truly changed the world (musically and socially) forever.
The 1960’s was one of the most controversial decades in American history because of not only the Vietnam War, but there was an outbreak of protests involving civil and social conditions all across college campuses. These protests have been taken to the extent where people either have died or have been seriously injured. However, during the 1960’s, America saw a popular form of art known as protest music, which responded to the social turmoil of that era, from the civil rights movement to the war in Vietnam. A veritable pantheon of musicians, such as Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Phil Ochs, Joan Baez, and Bob Dylan sang their songs to encourage union organizers to protest the inequities of their time, creating a diverse variety of popular protest music, which has reached out to the youthful generations everywhere demanding for a revolutionary change. The protest music took the children of the 1960’s to a completely new different level. Musicians of this generation were not going to sit and do nothing while the government lied to the people about what was going on in Vietnam. Instead, they took their guitar-strumming troubadours from the coffee houses, plugged them in, and sent the music and the message into the college dorm rooms and the homes of the youth of America. However, as decades went by, protest music does not have much of an impact as it use to because of the way things have changed over the years. Through the analysis of the music during the 1960’s, there shall be an understanding on how the different genres of protest music has affected social protesters based on how musicians have become the collective conscience of that generation through their lyrics and music and the main factors that contributed to the lack of popula...
Rock ‘n’ roll and 20th Century Culture According to Philip Ennis, rock ‘n’ roll emerged from the convergence of social transformations which resulted from World War II (Ryan 927). Despite its pop culture origins, rock music is arguably one of the strongest cultural factors to develop in this century. Artists such as Lennon, McCartney and Dylan defined the emotions of a generation and, in the last decade, it as even been acknowledged by members of the establishment which it hoped to change as a major influence in the country. In order to understand how rock went from a sign of rebellion to a cultural icon, it is necessary to understand where it came from.
...s helping the less fortunate in Africa and through his support of various organizations. Additionally, Bono definitely has passion for the work he does and for people. For example, he has said he wants to eradicate AIDS in Africa by 2015. He is also very passionate about his band and fans to make sure they have the best show possible. Bono illustrates his emotional intelligence through his empathy for the less fortunate and as a result holds fundraisers and created organizations to help them. Bono also demonstrates self-confidence while he is singing as the lead singer of U2 and on boards of his organizations. Bono demonstrates authenticity; he is very upfront about his beliefs and believes it is up to people who are able to help others. Finally, Bono uses creativity in both his U2 career and his philanthropy efforts and ways he tries to raise money for charities.
Global solidarity is an important aspect of social life because it teaches us to understand the unity and wholeness we possess as one human race. We are all one people, despite our many racial, economic, national, ideological, and religious differences. Despite our location or home in the world, we are connected and are each others keepers and protectors, and in the musical Witness Uganda, Griffin and the orphans learn this key lesson. In the beginning, the African orphans in the musical view all Westerners as White, rich, and privileged and Griffin understands most Africans to be poor, in need of Western assistance, and ignorant of the world. After living with one another in Uganda for some time, however, Griffin and the orphans grasp just how similar they are as a human race and how uni...
This leads to my question which is “To what extent was Bob Dylan the ‘political voice of a generation’?” Closely evaluating his role as a social
Rytell, David. “Music Worthy of a Riot.” David Rytell’s Home Page. 1989. Web. 17 September 2011.
There is a saying that goes something along the lines of: It’s never easy to stay on top. After reading extensively into the rock band known as U2, I can without a doubt say that they are the exception to that rule. This band’s rise to fame and fandom has had very few bumps along the way and I’m excited to tell you more about the members, their roots, why their music is impacting the world, and what they’re doing with their fame and fortune.
“He helped shape the agenda of the sixties – socially and politically, no less than musically” (“John Lennon”). John Lennon was extremely influential to the world during his lifetime, and mainly during the sixties. He fueled many movements with his strong willed beliefs in peace and happiness. The actions and music of John Lennon drastically altered how many people viewed the world around them during the sixties and throughout his entire life.
The sixties and seventies were a time of war, peace and revolution, with “hippies” leading anti-war movements, and protests happening across the nation due to the administration of Richard Nixon and the Vietnam War. John Lennon originally a member of The Beatles, became a star in the anti-war subculture, and a hero to many, not only for his musicianship and the Beatle-mania that was spread across the country but for being a voice of the people. The Beatles were at the time, the voices of their generation and eventually became a product of their generation, with their songs highlighting the issues of the time. Even with the disbanding of The Beatles in 1969, Lennon continued to be a force in the culture, with his wife Yoko Ono and himself taking a prominent role in the media and movement against the war.