Routledge - Oh Boy!: Masculinities and Popular Music Book

Explore the complex evolution of gendered personae in the music industry with Oh Boy!: Masculinities and Popular Music. Published by Routledge, this book examines how masculinity is expressed and perceived through the work of legendary performers. From the raw energy of Muddy Waters and Elvis Presley to the stage presence of Mick Jagger and Freddie Mercury, the text looks at how artists navigate different identities. Readers will learn how musical roles shift over time, whether through the lens of the sensitive singer/songwriter or the dominant blues singer. The book traces these changes as performers face new challenges on the pop scene or as attitudes toward gender evolve. It also looks at how certain personas can become fixed masks that artists find difficult to move beyond. This is an essential resource for anyone interested in the connection between pop music styles and social identity.