Date of Award
12-2009
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Comparative Religion
First Advisor
Dr. Brian C. Wilson
Second Advisor
Dr. Stephen Covell
Third Advisor
Dr. Kevin Wanner
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Campus Only
Abstract
My research examines the religious nature of certain aspects of American popular music in the late 1960's and 1970's, particularly rock and roll. By analyzing the music and performances of Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, Jimi Hendrix, and Jim Morrison, this study will determine whether or not aspects of their work could be considered "authentically" religious. The purpose of this thesis is to determine if certain cultural artifacts of popular culture can be included in the academic study of religion.
To accomplish this goal, this thesis utilizes typologies and criteria of particular religious phenomenon derived from the theorists Max Weber, Georges Bataille, and Walter Panhke and then determines if the cultural artifacts of rock and roll meet the criteria for inclusion. This paper is designed to increase the variety of phenomena acceptable for examination in the academic study of religion and to create a foundation for future investigation.
Recommended Citation
Dean, Brandon O'Neal, "Looking for the Religious in Rock and Roll: Bob Marley as Prophet, Jimi Hendrix as Priest, and Jim Morrison as Mystic" (2009). Masters Theses. 279.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/279