MUSIC FROM THE COUNTER CULTURE

Public Address Extended Special MUSIC FROM THE COUNTER CULTURE

Originating in the 1960s, the counter-culture movement is a sub-culture that arose in several countries and which opposed many of the modern societal values, all the while seeking new ways of living in society. For many of its adherents, the movement meant the rejection of society’s codes or norms through the consumption of mind-altering substances, the rejection of dominant religious morality, the search for pleasure, and political activism. Fuelled by disillusionment and desires, the movement subsequently gave birth to the Hippie movement, itself characterised by a renewed interest in religion and spirituality (mainly from Asia, such as Buddhism), and strong desires to reform society.

The movement rejected capitalistic values, for their negative impact on the environment, relationships between people, and the economy. The movement opposed wars and the deleterious foreign affair policies of the United States. It grew quickly in many countries, perhaps because it managed to articulate new codes free from capitalistic imperatives that disillusioned many. The counter-culture movement led to the development of a rich palette of artistic trends, such as Rock and Roll and electronic music forms from artists such as Frank Zappa, Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd all of whom feature in this programme. The movement disseminated a set of values ​​that questioned the morals of Western society as a whole, including the sexual revolution, the invention of contraceptives, and feminism, and encouraged its adherents to organise themselves in self-managed communities, detached from the consumerist logic.

A four-hour special edition of Public Address Written Produced and Presented by Thom McKeown © 2023