Richard A. Peterson, in his book The Production of Culture (1976), said that there were six socio-economic factors that came together to create a platform on which 'something' new could emerge. The six factors are law, technology, industry structure, organisation structure, occupational career and market. In this instance, the six factors made way for Rock and Roll.
At first glance, it appears that Richard A. Peterson has answered for the birth of Rock and Roll, but upon closer examination we realise that there is one gaping hole in Peterson's theory, and that is the question of why? Why was it Rock and Roll that took of in such a powerful way, and not one of the other genres of the time?
Overall, I believe that Peterson's theory is useful in understanding the birth of 'something' but not as useful in understanding the birth of Rock and Roll in particular.
This is a pretty good summary of the strengths and weaknesses of Peterson's ideas.
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