Tony Wellington

I read this having heard a fascinating near hour long interview by Andrew Ford of the author on ABC Radio National's The Music Show on the 30 Sept/1 Oct, 2023 weekend, which can be accessed on its (free) app. well worth a listen as is a read of this book.

The music in the book's title is Western popular music (in all of its genres) ...pop, rock, disco, hip hop, rap, punk (less so country and western). Wellington leads off by saying that he had to be very selective in his choice of artists, songs, albums he calls out in the book, given there so many to choose (and everyone will have their favourites). Indeed he sad that the first draft he delivered to the publisher was twice the size of the finished product, meaning that readers could have been challenged with a 900 page monster.

Wellington is not looking to argue that the 1970s produced the best music. Rather his thesis is that the 1970s was most important from the perspective of the changes (some ongoing; others not) that have happened to popular music.

Wellington does well to place the music and the changes against the social changes that came in that decade.

Nor is Wellington misty eyed as to those involved. Even with respect to some of his favourite artists, he does not hold back from calling out the racism, misogynism, abuse, nor the substance abuse by many.

I enjoyed being reminded of some well remembered bands, songs, albums but have now learnt of many that I have never heard of before, as well as yet others who I have heard of (eg Frank Zappa) but will now re approach with having the benefit of heard of an obvious fan speaking of those artists endeavours.

Probably the book will be most of interest to those who grew up in the 1970s or who have a wide, heightened interest in popular music more generally. The book addresses developments primarily across the UK, the USA and Australia/NZ, and with the proportion devoted to each about right in my view.

Though I have not used it yet, the book comes with a QR code which takes you to a play list of (most of )the songs, in the order they first appear in the book, accessible through Spotify.

Big Ship

4 October 2023… (mehr)