A new book exploring how the First World War has influenced songwriters will be launched with an illustrated lecture by author Peter Grant in London on 7 March 2017.
Since the 1950’s, over 1,500 songs from more than 40 countries have been recorded that make reference to, or draw inspiration from, the 1914-18 conflict.
Dr Grant’s lecture – at Cass Business School, City University London – will include many examples, from chansonniers Jacques Brel and Georges Brassens, to Bob Dylan, The Kinks, Iron Maiden and PJ Harvey.
His book – National Myth and the First World War in Modern Popular Music: From Brel to Black Metal – analyses how songwriters are influenced by their country’s ‘national myth’ of the war.
Admission to the launch event on Tuesday 7 March is free – but guests are asked to register online. The venue is Cass Business School, 106 Bunhill Row, London EC1Y 8TZ at 6pm (for 6.30pm start).
Peter Grant is Senior Lecturer at City University London. National Myth and the First World War in Modern Popular Music is published by Palgrave Macmillan. Dr Grant’s previous books include Philanthropy and Voluntary Action in the First World War.
Information & images: Cass Business School
Posted by: CN Editorial Team