'Then how can you explain Sgt. Pompous and the Fancy Pants Club Band?': Utilization of Military Uniforms and Other Paraphernalia by Pop Groups and the Youth Counterculture in the 1960s and Subsequent Periods.

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

Why do rock performers wear military uniforms? The motive is generally assumed to be 'transgressively subversive.' However, when looking more closely at particular performers and groups, this is found to be far from always the case in as much as motives include pride in being a veteran, nostalgia for a glorious past, attraction to uniform aesthetics, citing of previous iconic 'warriors of rock,' finding a unique visual 'hook,' reasserting national rock-cultural identity and/or waging uniformed 'warfare' between rock groups. Possible origins of 'rock-military style' are discussed along with its development in the social and cultural context of the post-war era, focusing on the Anglo-American scene.
Original languageEnglish
JournalTextile History
Volume41
Pages (from-to)182-213
Number of pages30
ISSN0040-4969
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2010

ID: 20169179