The Rock & Roll Rebellion: Why People of Faith Abandoned Rock Music and Why They're Coming Back [Paperback]

Mark Joseph (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Is there such a thing as Christian music? Fans of what is now called Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) might think so, but not radio personality and writer Mark Joseph. In this well-researched work, Joseph argues that Christian music is not a separate genre, and that by creating a separate marketing category, Christian musicians removed themselves from pop culture--to their own detriment as well as the culture's.

Through profiles of leading Christian musicians and producers (including Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Pat Boone, Run-D.M.C., and U2), Joseph explores Christianity's place in American popular music, concentrating in particular on the rise of CCM as a commercial power. For anyone interested in the tension between sacred and secular in modern American music, or for fans of popular artists who have struggled with these issues (such as Amy Grant, Sam Phillips, T-Bone Burnett, Mark Heard, and dozens of others), this book makes for fascinating reading. (And it might also introduce you to some great music!) --Doug Thorpe

Review

" Joseph a journalist and talk-show host doesn't have utter contempt for the CCM industry...his tone is firm but loving." -- The Lakeland Ledger

" Joseph has created the strongest argument yet for the demolishing of the CCM demarcation." -- The Orange County Register

""A must-read for music fans. Lots of talk about Christians who stayed secular and those who went back." -- The Houston Chronicle

"Contemporary Christian music, that catch-all for any modern religious music, has finally gotten the scholarly history it has... deserved." -- The Arizona Republic

"In this fascinating book author Mark Joseph makes a strong case for integrating faith-based music into the broader American culture." -- Billboard Magazine

"Joseph compares CCM to the 1930s-era Negro baseball leagues." -- World Magazine

"Joseph, the founder of MJM Entertainment's book explains the failures of a trend to create a separate Christian culture." -- The Washington Times

"The author's real aim is to destroy the archaic notion that Christian music should be separate from mainstream pop." -- The Lima News

"The latest attempt to decipher Dylan's faith, that also discusses the conversions of Alice Cooper, Lenny Kravitz and other musicians." -- Los Angeles Times

Can you imagine artist-ministers receiving flat salaries instead of relying on album royalties? The term Christian artist being avoided like poison ivy? Joseph not only envisions such changes but he says they're necessary if Christian music is to reach the broader culture while still meeting believer's needs. To his credit, he's clearly not a controversy hound; he critiques artists and record-label executives but consistently tries to be fair. For example, he heaps praise on Phil Keaggy while lamenting the artist's decision to leave mainstream rock. A bonus benefit is the up-to-date history of contemporary Christian music. Customers will ask about this bold book. Cross-merchandise copies in your store's music section-with the confidence that you're giving space to a thoughtfully and courageously crafted work. -- CBA Marketplace

Contemporary Christian music has finally gotten the scholarly history it has deserved, only, with an irony attached: Its author's aim is to destroy the notion that Christian music should be separate from pop. What baffles Joseph, is why the proponents of CCM continue to bring segregation on themselves.

Joseph pays special attention to Lenny Kravitz, Johnny Cash and Run-D.M.C., who search their souls on record, yet also watches CCM deprive edgier, visionary talent of the chance to preach to anyone other than the converted, creating the strongest argument yet for the demolishing of the CCM demarcation.

But Joseph doesn't have utter contempt for the CCM industry. His tone is firm but loving, as if he were trying to stroke key egos to make them realize the potential that Christian music has. Joseph's book details their and their forebears' fight to be heard from within a tightly drawn circle. An important statement . . . -- Knight-Ridder News Service

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Broadman & Holman Publishers; First Edition edition (September 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805420614
• ISBN-13: 978-0805420616
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,005,042 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars If you're reading the reviews, you should read the book. May 4, 2000

By Mike Johnson

Format:Paperback

If you're reading this review then you probably should read this book. Reading the review implies that you have an interest in the subject(s) of faith and/or rock and roll which means that this page-turner is for you. Mark Joseph has accomplished an astounding feat here by amassing this information. Welcome to Faith/Rock 101. Prepare to be educated. You should understand, though, that as Mark Joseph begins presenting two opposing viewpoints on a debate that may be new to some, his mind is firmly made up. When Joseph allows the artists to do the talking, the book shines. He does, however, engage in some editorial-izing at times from his own point of view. He has weighed Contemporary Christian Music in the balance and found it wanting. The book is about two points of view regarding the relevance of C(ontemporary) C(hristian) M(usic) to the world at large as opposed to the Christian sub-culture and its quality when judged as art. The basis for Mark Joseph's conclusion that CCM serves no useful function is that the artists perpetually "preach to the choir." It's a matter of Christians making music for Christians who already agree with them. Thus, CCM has none of the tension and angst-and presumably fun-that are associated with real life. CCM is safe and sanitized. It would be inappropriate for me to offer my observations, points of agreement or disagreement with the author. I'm reviewing the book, not the premise of the book. Do you want to discuss it? Email me. It's a fascinating and controversial topic. If you read Rebellion with an open-mind, you will find that it provides some answers even as it produces more questions. Consider the different responses of the members of Kansas. We see the argument set forth in Rebellion in its purest form in the section chronicling Kansas. Faith split the band into Christian and non-Christian camps. We learn that bandmates even segregated themselves on the airplane based on belief! The irony of it is that, after the breakup of Kansas, Kerry Livgren and John Elefante espouse differing views regarding CCM. Elefante embraces CCM, adding a strong voice to the contention that the popular music machine will not accept songs about Jesus. (Michael Been of the Call also elucidates on the pop music machine-the "current power structure, the ones who right now are making the rules and creating the values and ethics of the country.") Livgren, however, is more a proponent of the author's viewpoint, indicating that CCM is far removed from the "real world" where hurting, sinful people never hear it. A complex issue, don't you think? If I go on, my review will be too long and you won't read it. Let me just add this. As far as quote of the day, be sure to see the section on Atomic Opera and their observations of Christianity as it is commonly practiced by adherents and perceived by bystanders.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Good reference but at times misses the point January 14, 2000

By Erik

Format:Paperback

Upon first glance this looked like the most complete tome on Christian rock that I knew existed. The interesting insights begin quickly, as the first chapter goes into how Christians were somehow sequestered from the mainstream. But at over 300 pages it was very unlikely that I would not raise an eyebrow at at least a few things. The red flag rises to full mast in the section describing DeGarmo and Key, which begins by describing the duo as "Among those who shared an 'us-vs.-them mentality' that pervaded the CCM world and ensured its continued irrelevance to the wider culture." Tell that to the countless young people who came to know the Lord through their no-compromise ministry. Joseph does acknowledge this but not after making them out to be aloof, largely because they refused an offer to open for ZZ Top. He then attempts to imply contempt for DC Talk on the part of DeGarmo for their being distributed by Virgin. "Over the years," says Joseph, Degarmo and Key "became the premier CCM rock ensemble, next to superstars Petra." Petra, at least as influential and for at least as long, garnered only a small handful of trivia-question mentions in the entire book.

The "Defectors" chapter continues with examples of artists who faced "the CCM dilemma," such as Philip Bailey of Earth, Wind, and Fire. The religious music establishment was leaning on him to write hot music with God lyrics, while CBS was "no doubt hoping that Bailey would write hot music without God lyrics." Why would this be? Later on, Peter King claims that for instance MTV, "they don't care," meaning that if Christians make good music and videos they'd have an opportunity to be played there.

The stories of especially Alice Cooper and Kansas are especially interesting, but another artist whom Joseph seems to have it out for is John Elefante. Joseph claims that "it is generally easier and more financially rewarding to be a big fish in a small pond, making music for those who agree with you." How could this be, when much of the book laments the fact that certain Christian singers would have had a much larger audience had they not been a part of the Christian "subculture?"

Also included is a list of possible definitions of "contemporary Christian music." He allows that some might be a stretch, but completely ignores taking into account the motive of the artist.

The book is apparently well researched and documented, but some statements (such as artists are being encourage to leave their scene, on p 47, and Michael Sweet being unwilling to reunite with Stryper) that lend itself to being documented are not.

Joseph goes on to neatly categorize a few select artists into chapters he calls "the Defectors," "the Remnant," "the mainstream Attempt," and "the Rebels." How he can group Dakoda Motor Company and MxPx though, with Michael W. Smith and dc Talk as "rebels," I do not understand. As the book progressed, however, the ideas presented became more in tune with my vision, and more than that and more importantly, made me think. Joseph envisions a music world where the distinctions of "Christian" and "gospel" are virtually gone except for the select few who remain to perform music primarily to encourage believers. Some of his ideas, as he said, would take years to accomplish.

Perhaps contemporary Christian music has fallen short in some ways. But someone who is not in the scene at all would get a very strong idea from reading this book that it has failed at what it is out to do, as it has in some ways sequestered itself from the mainstream. But I myself am encouraged by reading magazines like CCM and HM, as they cover exclusively artists whose music I enjoy with a perspective I can relate to. I would much rather have that than having to wade through Entertainment Magazine and Metal Edge for the occasional, and likely without a Christian perspective, story on Christian bands.

Read this book for a good background and reference on the stories of many of these acts. But keep in mind that even through 300 pages the faith of the author himself remains unknown.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Faith & Music Put Into Perspective April 9, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

Excellent Book! A must read for all musicians, people in the music industry and Christians. Interesting, riveting and honest perspective about the integration of faith, religion, music ministry and entertainment. Our American culture needs to have a better understanding of how all of our spiritual roots play a part in our musical preferences. Contemporary Christian music is not a separate genre of music. It should never have been thought of as such and marketed as such. Mark Joseph gives clear history and reasoning behind what is and what should be contemporary Christian music. FULL of useful information and insight. Keeps the reader interested so they can't and don't want to put it down!