Blaming or Defending Disco? Analyzing the historical development of the mainstream journalistic discourse about authenticity of electronic music in Germany during the decade 1975-1984

Abstract

By means of a critical analysis of the electronic-popular-music discourse in the German mainstream magazine Musikexpress in the decade 1975-1985, this paper traces back the historic development of journalists’assessment standards for virtuosity, authenticity and subversion in the electronic-music-age. Results show how cultural industry applies its hegemonic influence on musical discourses through media institutions and Pop/Rock intellectuals, in order to satisfy market requirements.