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A monumental history of the LGBTQ influence on popular culture, from award-winning, Sunday Times-bestselling author.
An electrifying look at key moments in music and entertainment history between 1955 and 1979, which helped move gay culture from the margins to the mainstream and changed the face of pop forever - from the ambiguous sexuality of stars such as Little Richard in the 1950s through to David Bowie, glam rock and Sylvester's 'You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)'.
The Secret Public is a searching examination of the fortitude and resilience of the gay community through the lens of popular music and culture; it reflects on the freedom found in divergence from the norm and reminds us of the need to be vigilant against those seeking to roll back the rights of marginalised groups.
Author: Jon Savage
Paperback Published 27 August 2024 784 pages
Read and Recommended by Hendri:
The Secret Public looks comprehensively into the influence of LGBTQ on popular culture, mainly in the US and the UK. Delving into the history of the entertainment, music, and film industry between 1955 and 1979, Jon Savage meticulously charts the contributions of early gay and lesbian artists, like Johnnie Ray and Dusty Springfield, which paved the way to the explosion of queerness embraced by more contemporary artists, ranging from David Bowie to Sylvester. Beyond just surveying the list of queer artists, he situates each queer artist's life and contribution within a specific historical background.
Readers would get a clear sense of why queer artists adopted specific styles or strategies to address homophobia at that time. Life stories of some gay manager figures, like The Beatles's manager Brian Epstein, are not explored to illustrate the rarely-discussed queer roles hidden behind the stage lights.
The book starts with the courage of gay artists, from Little Richards and sexually ambiguous James Dean, in the profoundly homophobic era when queerness was heavily policed in public. As the industry began celebrating more androgynous looks and performances like The Rolling Stones, Janis Joplin, and David Bowie, queerness quickly moved from the margin to mainstream pop culture. Throughout, Savage also offers important backstories of some critical works of queer artists, including how Andy Warhol discovered the idea that led him to create the popular Campbell Soup's Cans art. Making this book even more interesting is the story around physique magazines and the fashion industry, whose contributions to queer culture were not insignificant.
Accessibly written and wildly entertaining, The Secret Public illuminates the untold story of courage, creativity, and politics that shapes our current entertainment industry."
'Fascinating.' NEIL TENNANT
'The missing story of the heart of pop.' JOHNNY MARR
'Superb.' Alexis Petridis
'Dazzling.' GUARDIAN
'Magisterial.' ESQUIRE
'Utterly engrossing.' THE WIRE