American Popular Music

The United States Government with Oxford University Press, Inc. have released a condensation of the book AMERICAN POPULAR MUSIC: FROM MINSTRELSY TO MP3 by Larry Starr and Christopher Waterman, originally published by Oxford University Press. Read the free book online or download a copy at America.gov.

"American popular music is a kaleidoscopic mélange of styles and dreams. Its vibrancy reflects the mating of cultural diversity to artistic and creative freedom. The stories in this book illustrate how Americans, borrowing from diverse musical traditions, have contributed to humanity’s universal language."
-- America.gov

About the authors:

Larry Starr is Professor of Music at the University of Washington. His previous publications include The Dickinson Songs of Aaron Copland (2002), A Union of Diversities: Style in the Music of Charles Ives (1992), and articles in American Music, Perspectives of New Music, Musical Quarterly, and Journal of Popular Music Studies. 

Christopher Waterman is Dean of the School of Arts and Architecture at the University of California, Los Angeles. His previous publications include Jùjú: A Social History and Ethnography of an African Popular Music (1990) and articles in Ethnomusicology and Music Educator’s Journal.