Since the emergence of rock'n'roll in the early 1950s, there have been a number of live musical performances that were not only memorable in themselves, but became hugely influential in the way they shaped the subsequent trajectory and development of popular music. Each, in its own way, introduced new styles, confronted existing practices, shifted accepted definitions, and provided templates for others to follow. Performance and Popular Music explores these processes by focusing on some of the specific occasions when such transformations occurred. An international array of scholars reveal that it is through the (often disruptive) dynamics of performance - and the interaction between performer and audience - that patterns of musical change and innovation can best be recognised. Through multi-disciplinary analyses which consider the history, place and time of each event, the performances are located within their social and professional contexts, and their immediate and long-term musical consequences considered. From the Beatles and Bob Dylan to Michael Jackson and Madonna, from Woodstock and Monterey to Altamont and Live Aid, this book provides an indispensable assessment of the importance of live performance in the practice of popular music, and an essential guide to some of the key moments in its history.

Contents: Introduction: History, place and time: the possibility of the unexpected, Ian Inglis; 'Ladies and Gentlemen...'. The Beatles: The Ed Sullivan Show, CBS TV, February 9, 1964, Laurel Sercombe; Bob Dylan: Newport Folk Festival, July 25, 1965, Lee Marshall; When deep soul met the love crowd. Otis Redding: Monterey Pop Festival, June 17, 1967, Sarah Hill; The road not taken. Elvis Presley: Comeback Special, NBC TV studios, Hollywood, December 3, 1968, Ian Inglis; Land of the free. Jimi Hendrix: Woodstock Festival, August 18, 1969, Mike Daley; If anything, blame Woodstock. The Rolling Stones: Altamont, December 6, 1969, Norma Coates; Watch that man. David Bowie: Hammersmith Odeon, London, July 3, 1973, Philip Auslander; Patti Smith: The Old Grey Whistle Test, BBC-2 TV, May 11, 1976, Sheila Whiteley; Print the truth, not the legend. The Sex Pistols: Lesser Free Trade Hall, Manchester, June 4, 1976, Sean Albiez; 'I need contact' - rock'n'roll and ritual. Peter Gabriel: Security tour, 1982-83, Jeffrey Callen; Michael Jackson: Motown 25, Pasadena Civic Auditorium, March 25, 1983, Jaap Kooijman; Live on tape. Madonna: MTV Video Music Awards, Radio City Music Hall, New York, September 14, 1984, Gary Burns; Popular music performance and cultural memory. Queen: Live Aid, Wembley Stadium, London, July 13, 1985, Susan Fast; Nirvana: University of Washington, Seattle, January 6, 1990, Tim Hughes; The booing Of Sinead O'Connor: Bob Dylan 30th anniversary concert, Madison Square Garden, New York, October 16, 1992, Emma Mayhew; Bibliography; Index.