Volume 7, Issue 1

The Voice of the British Youth

The True Attitude of Punk Rock Music

Spinal Tap: Real or Fictional Glam Rock Band?

The Struggle of Early Rock and Roll

The Authenticity of 8 MilePopular Music in American Film

Popular music has been a very important element of the film experience since it began being played along with silent films. Many people, however, do not seem to realize the importance of popular music in film. Popular music in film examines the icons, performers, musical groups, genres, and eras of popular music as it is represented in Hollywood films. I have collected several pieces of work from my colleagues at Bowling Green State University that discuss several aspects of popular music in film.

The first film that I have included is Quadrophenia (1979). This film deals with the youth culture surrounding the British rock and roll scene during the 1960’s. In her paper, JoAnna Briner examines the rock opera and discusses how Quadrophenia was the voice of the 1960’s British youth.

The second film that is included is Rock and Roll High School (1979). This film features the punk band The Ramones and explores the turmoil of one high school in regards to the 1970’s punk rock group and their fans. The author discusses the attitude that the youth of America had towards figures of authority during the late 1970’s and early 1980’s.

The next film that is discussed in this collection is This Is Spinal Tap (1984), which is a “mockumentary” of England’s loudest heavy metal band Spinal Tap and their tales of glory and woe. In my paper, I examine the authenticity of the band Spinal Tap in regards to the rock and roll scene of the 1980’s.

The fourth film is Mr. Rock and Roll: The Alan Freed Story (1999). This film is about the life and times of Cleveland, Ohio deejay Alan Freed and his impact on the rock and roll scene during the 1950’s. In my second paper, I look at the early struggles of rock and roll music, the racial tension in America during the 1960’s and Alan Freed’s influence in popularizing rock and roll music in America.

The last film 8 Mile (2002) is a semi autobiographical sketch of rapper Eminem and an examination of the life and culture of the underground rap scene. In his paper, Dwayne Hunter focuses on the authenticity of the film and if it is indeed an accurate portrayal of the underground rap scene.

In this edition of The Projector, I am hoping that people will come away with a deeper understanding of the role of music in film as well as the development of popular music in film.

Mike Crum - Editor