Rock music as a genre in the early 1950's through the mid 70's was not only affected by political events which seized its current nation, but it chanted an expression of ideologies which strongly depicted the desire for communism. Rebel music possessed a clear lust for the philosophies of Karl Marx, and the genre swayed young audiences to obliterate social hierarchies during that time through peace movements, egalitarian influenced psychedelics, and civil rights activism. This expression was verbalized universally through music and literature.
“The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles.” (The Communist Manifesto, Ch. 1) Karl Marx wrote this in a literary work that was highly controversial during the McCarthy Era. In fact, the literature was banned and copies of the book were burned in many countries throughout the 20th century. Karl Marx was one of the first philosophers to publicly embrace ideas formulating the erection of communist beliefs. His articulations of the creed influenced music of the early 1950's through the mid seventies. Publicizing the domestic understanding of socialism, Marx's philosophy encouraged organized collectivism, a society where, “working men must be organized and take up the struggle against the capitalists who defraud them”, (The Philosophy Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels). This ideology was something that thrived through the McCarthy Era with an animate drive that was verbalized through music and movements during its time.
John Lennon was a very influential figure during the late 1950's through the early 1970's. Though today he is revered for his peace movements and nonviolent music and literature, back in the day there were those who applied critical views to the artist in many ways, denouncing him for his Marxist nature and condemning him for his desires for an equal society, a belief born of communist origin. CNN (2005) stated that, “A file on the former Beatle shows he was being watched in the United States shortly before the 1972 Republican National Convention in Miami, the U K's Press Association reported...But an informant told the FBI that while Lennon "appears to be radically orientated" he did not give the impression of being a true revolutionist "since he is constantly under the influence of narcotics."
John Lennon wrote a song called “Imagine”. This song vocalized the epitome of the communist beliefs held by Lennon and became the anthem of the revolt against the utopian forces of the drive to obliterate communist influences. The song states, “Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try- No hell below us- Above us only sky- Imagine all the people- Living for today...
Imagine there's no countries- It isn't hard to do- Nothing to kill or die for- And no religion too-
Imagine all the people- Living life in peace...You may say I'm a dreamer-But I'm not the only one-
I hope someday you'll join us- And the world will be as one- Imagine no possessions- I wonder if you can- No need for greed or hunger- A brotherhood of man- Imagine all the people-Sharing all the world...” (1979).
Evidence of the heavily socialist ideology of the time can be found in the Hippie Movement. Many communes sprung up throughout the industrialized world, on a level previously unseen. The basic principles of these communes included brotherhood, the opposite of possession and provision of basic necessities, costing only work to those involved. Those involved in this movement were heavily influenced by such rebel music as Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Janis Joplin and others. These artists stressed the importance of humanity and the mechanisms of truth. Their doctrines involved opposing the corporate and consumerist world, denouncing the evils of capitalistic society. Artists such as Dylan and Joplin espoused self-virtue and the origin of authority.
“You can mislead a man-You can take hold of his heart with your eyes-But there's only one authority-
And that's the authority on high”, (Dylan 1979).
This set of values, highly inspired by virtues extolled by thinkers such as Marx, pervaded Hippie culture, forming the core of its value system.
Tom Stoppard's Rock'n'Roll presents a clear illustration of Marxism's socialistic impression, “ ...This is the best we can do with it. Marx knew we couldn't be trusted. First the dictatorship, till we learned to be good, then the utopia where a man can be a baker in the morning, a lawmaker in the afternoon and a poet in the evening. But we never learned to be good, so look at us.” (26)
Tom Stoppard's play was revered for its presentation of communism during the McCarthy eras musical influence. The fact that communism was applauded through musical performance signifies the desire for social peace and justifies the youth populations inclination to adopt an antiwar demeanor. Perhaps through musics expression of the good qualities of communism, a philosophy popularly condemned and criticized, unity was born throughout the youthful populace and flower power instigated a revolt to establish a calming peace.
Bob Dylan's, "Gonna Change My Way of Thinking" sings, “Gonna change my way of thinking, Make myself a different set of rules, Gonna put my good foot forward, And stop being influenced by fools.”
Lyrics of this nature swept the universal society creating a spur of attentive movement so recognized that it is quite possibly the most remarkable era of youthful action and defense historically in retort to governmental restriction. Through Bob Dylan, and many other artists of this time, composers today remain inspired and ardent in the repose of governmental totalitarian control. With the passing of these artists comes not only the adopted instigation from their message, but also the legend of their motive to continue to take action now, rather than settle for nothing later, with the priority to espouse a unity in socialized integrity and a brotherhood of man.
