The American Pop Music

This lecture explores the rise of many innovative artists that created new sounds that captivated a generation, and whose influence endures five decades later.  From the remarkable Brill Building songwriters (Burt Bacharach, Carol King …) to the art of Bob Dylan, from Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound, to the California magic of Brian Wilson (Beach Boys).  Our journey will examine folk rock, R&B, pop/soul and the infamous rock festivals that defined an era.