Rock music is both music and a lifestyle and has nurtured both since its inception in the 1950s. Townsend (1997) defines
rock ‘n’ roll as a movement, culture, lifestyle and ideology. Later, it moved from its birthplace, America, as a result of the commercialization of the music industry in the phase of globalization, which led to the diffusion of rock music’s influence in many countries. Especially Britain witnessed Glam Rockers in 70s and Punk culture in 80s as subcultures, with the determining role of rock music in shaping these cultures. Much has been written about the evolution of rock music regarding its effects on the cultures or its entity as being a
subculture itself, which makes it important for studying by sociology, anthropology or cultural studies. Hebdige (2004) concentrates on music centered “white worker class” subcultures, appeared after the 80s in England, including teddies, mods, rockers, skinheads and punks. Rock music has mostly been seen as a popular culture especially among youth and explored in this way. Works of theorists like Adorno (1991), Frith (1983) and Fiske (1989) put emphasis on the interdependence between the psychology of youth, postmodern theory and popular culture. Some
scholars including Whiteley (1997) and Reynolds (1995) have explained rock music’s anxious character, which originates from its masculinity. There are various approaches taken in order to explain the role of rock music in determining the preferences of youth. At the same time, Mellers (1973) considers rock music from an anthropological and ethno-musicological framework, comparing it to the ‘music of necessity’ which has a ritual of ceremonial necessity. In this sense he draws a different line in approaching to the importance of rock music. It is important to note that for most scholars, including Rosselson (1979), Orman (1984), and Grossberg (1988), rock is the central manifestation of the post-World War II mass culture and mass cultural activity existed in East Central Europe. It is questionable and a debated issue for sociologists whether rock music plays a significant role in any process of political change or not. There are many studies done in these post-communist; transition countries, including Poland, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia in order to find the answer to this debate by scholars like Mitchell (1992), Ryback (1990), and Wicke (1992).Given the importance of rock music in constituting subcultures, so far, little research has been done about the structure of rock culture in Turkey. Akay, Firat, Kutlukan and Gokturk made an important study about the rock life in Istanbul in 1995. They analyzed the developing rock life among youth in Istanbul and rock culture’s status in the early 1990s. However, the rapid changes in the music industry and technology, as well as some certain events took place after 1995 necessitated a new study in Turkey in order to understand the shift in social dynamics. For example, cable TV, which led videos of rock songs to be influential on youth culture, was not common before as it is now. It is also same for Internet allowing the audiences to download the music they want to listen. Rock music is more available now and it is more demanded by various segments of society. The other change took place after publishment of Akay et al.’s book was the accusation of rock music as the music of Satan after some Satanistic crimes that led to a process of Satanist and rocker hunt. As a result of this process and technological developments rock culture in Istanbul has changed.