Week 2: How useful is Peterson’s production of culture perspective in understanding the birth of rock ‘n’ roll?

When studying Peterson’s explanation of the birth of rock music, it quickly becomes apparent that his focus is on the industrial side of the rock revolution, with almost no mention of the emergence of the brand new sound which would become known as rock ‘n’ roll. However, Peterson does explain how the circumstances of the music industry created the opportunity for a new genre of music, recalling how the abolition of airing only ASCAP-licensed music on the radio increased airtime for previously excluded genres, which would eventually help to form the rock music genre. Peterson also challenges other ideas about the birth of rock music. He dismisses claims that the post-Second World War baby boom contributed towards the emergence of rock ‘n’ roll, as the oldest of these youngsters would be merely 9 years of age in 1954, which hardly amounts to a demanding teenage audience. Peterson’s explanation is detailed on the industry side, but is less useful in understanding the creative evolution of music which led to the birth of rock ‘n’ roll.