Rock & Religion (Shows No. 49 & 50)

Rock & Religion (RR 49 & RR 50)

Rock & Religion was a radio show produced in Sacramento, California. It ran from 1977 to 1981 with about 184 programs. The show focused on rock and pop music from a Christian perspective. Apparently, these programs were put on LPs as promotional copies according to that valuable internet resource, Wikipedia. My copy of Rock & Religion has programs 49 and 50.

Program No. 49 is about punk rock. It is hosted by Mary Neely, and Steve Scott, a musician and poet, is the program's guest who offers an explanation why punk rock is aggressive, violent and shocking. The program features snippets from The Sex Pistols, Ian Dury, The Damned and even The Rolling Stones. It's a fun program to listen to and is of interest to anyone interested in punk rock. The program actually offers some good sociological insight into punk rock, but probably nothing new for those already knowledgeable of punk. This show originally aired on November 19, 1978.

Program No. 50 is about how love songs have evolved from being romantic and thoughtful in the 1940s to being overtly sexual and selfish in the 1970s to say the least ("people indeed become reduced to love machines"). Song snippets from Elvis, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones (again), Rod Stewart, KC and the Sunshine Band and others are featured. The first 15 minutes is fun to listen to. The rest of the program ... not so fun. Three songs are played in their entirety that are still romantic, thoughtful and definitely sappy in the decadent 1970s and there is an interview with one of those artists. This show originally aired on November 26, 1978.

By the way, programs 49 & 50 are awaiting to be filled on that Wikipedia article.

Tracklisting:  (link will be back soon)

Show No. 49

1. Punk Rock {29:45}

Show No. 50

1. Love Songs {29:00}