Week 2 - What are the strengths and weaknesses of R.A. Peterson's production of culture approach to the birth of rock and roll?

Peterson's explanation of the birth of rock and roll is effective in that he considers the cultural aspect of the time it began to emerge. This is important as it is individuals, organisations and industries that produce culture, and it is therefore important to consider the context these people worked in. He uses real facts and figures along with historical research to back up his ideas e.g. industry figures, making it valid. However, the main criticism of Peterson’s theory is that he completely neglects the music itself. His theory is too mechanical and business orientated and he fails to consider the energy and feel of rock and roll music and how that affected the way audience took to it. In conclusion, Peterson gives a basic starting point to explaining the birth of rock and roll and explains how and why the market for it existed. He however fails to consider social factors and reasons why audiences took to rock and roll and not other alternative genres of music.