Simon Frith is a former rock critic and a sociologist who specializes in popular music culture. He is the author of many books including his first The Sociology of Rock, ISBN 0094602204.

The Sociology of Rock

In The Sociology of Rock (1978) Frith examines the consumption, production, and ideology of rock. He explores rock as leisure, as youth culture, as a force for liberation or oppresion, and as background music. He argues that rock music is a mass cultural form which derives its meaning and relevance from being a mass medium. He discusses the differences in perception and use of rock between the music industry and music consumers, as well as differences within those groups: "The industry may or may not keep control of rock's use, but it will not be able to determine all its meanings - the problems of capitalist community and leisure are not so easily resolved."