By Evan Walsh, Chief Copy Editor
Ohio Wesleyan Professor Sean Kay presented his book “Rockin’ the Free World!: How the Rock & Roll Revolution Changed America and the World” at a reception held in the Ross Art Museum on Friday, Jan. 27.
The book explores the relationship between rock and roll and its influence on major political movements through the years. From Bob Dylan’s folksy charm to Rage Against the Machine’s less subtle sound, rock and roll has a long history of sending political messages that Americans can hear every time they turn on the radio.
Rockin’ the Free World” also considers the broader international context and implications of these politically impactful musicians.
Although Kay was unavailable for comment, several critics have already published reviews of their own.
One of them, Ronald Tiersky, spoke very highly of “Rockin’ the Free World” calling it “a declaration of faith, in the music and in America” in a Huffington Post article from January 23.
Kay is no stranger to either of these fields. Besides being a professor of politics and government and the chair of Ohio Wesleyan’s international studies program, Kay is a musician, too.
Included in the book are a number of interviews with high profile musicians.
Kay mentioned those interviews that helped shape his book during his address on Friday.
Before Kay spoke, fellow politics and government professor James Franklin introduced students, faculty members and other audience members to the author.
Franklin, who has performed with Kay in the past, shared his thoughts on the book’s subjects.
“Music has the potential to bring people together, and so often we see a song or an artist play an important symbolic role with political consequences” Franklin said.
For those interested in reading “Rockin’ the Free World!: How the Rock & Roll Revolution Changed America and the World,” copies are available in the campus bookstore and online.