ABSTRACT

Gigs provides a fascinating account of a unique victory for musicians against repressive entertainment licensing laws. It provides a much-needed study of the social, political, cultural and legal conditions surrounding a change in law and public attitudes toward vernacular music in New York City.

This second edition includes a new preface by Hamish Birchall and an introduction by the series editors, Guy Osborn and Steve Greenfield, as well as an afterword by the author, and it will be essential reading for all those interested in the history of social attitudes toward the popular arts and the use of constitutional litigation for social change.

chapter |7 pages

INTRODUCTION

chapter 1|6 pages

PRELUDE

chapter 2|10 pages

THE MUSICIANS UNION

chapter 3|8 pages

THE MUSIC IN THE CLUBS

chapter 4|15 pages

REGULATION AS DENIGRATION

chapter 7|13 pages

THE PROCESS OF CHANGE

chapter 8|8 pages

THE LIVES OF MUSICIANS

chapter 9|9 pages

CONCLUSION: POLITICS, LAW AND MUSIC