Won't Back Down: Heartland Rock and the Fight for America

Price
$31.99
Available for Pre-Order
  • Won't Back Down: Heartland Rock and the Fight for America by Erin Osmon

Erin Osmon's rollicking Won't Back Down tells the story of the origins, chart-topping development, and tangled legacy of Heartland Rock, the music that ruled the airwaves of the 1980s and remains instantly recognizable to millions. Osmon delves into the making of its classic albums and songs, including Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run," Bob Seger's "Against the Wind," John Mellencamp's "Small Town," and Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down." She demonstrates the centrality of often-overlooked women, including Melissa Etheridge, Bonnie Raitt, and Lucinda Williams. She traces the genre's connections to country and Americana and shows how its success revitalized the careers of figures like Bob Dylan and Neil Young. And she argues that the music played a vital role in opposition to eighties conservatism and in support of LGBTQ rights, labor issues, and the environmental movement. As Osmon makes clear, Heartland Rock at its best connected with millions of overlooked people longing to be heard.

Won't Back Down: Heartland Rock and the Fight for America
$31.99
Available for Pre-Order
Description

Erin Osmon's rollicking Won't Back Down tells the story of the origins, chart-topping development, and tangled legacy of Heartland Rock, the music that ruled the airwaves of the 1980s and remains instantly recognizable to millions. Osmon delves into the making of its classic albums and songs, including Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run," Bob Seger's "Against the Wind," John Mellencamp's "Small Town," and Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down." She demonstrates the centrality of often-overlooked women, including Melissa Etheridge, Bonnie Raitt, and Lucinda Williams. She traces the genre's connections to country and Americana and shows how its success revitalized the careers of figures like Bob Dylan and Neil Young. And she argues that the music played a vital role in opposition to eighties conservatism and in support of LGBTQ rights, labor issues, and the environmental movement. As Osmon makes clear, Heartland Rock at its best connected with millions of overlooked people longing to be heard.

Description

Erin Osmon's rollicking Won't Back Down tells the story of the origins, chart-topping development, and tangled legacy of Heartland Rock, the music that ruled the airwaves of the 1980s and remains instantly recognizable to millions. Osmon delves into the making of its classic albums and songs, including Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run," Bob Seger's "Against the Wind," John Mellencamp's "Small Town," and Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down." She demonstrates the centrality of often-overlooked women, including Melissa Etheridge, Bonnie Raitt, and Lucinda Williams. She traces the genre's connections to country and Americana and shows how its success revitalized the careers of figures like Bob Dylan and Neil Young. And she argues that the music played a vital role in opposition to eighties conservatism and in support of LGBTQ rights, labor issues, and the environmental movement. As Osmon makes clear, Heartland Rock at its best connected with millions of overlooked people longing to be heard.

ISBN
9781324051374
Publication Date
April 28, 2026
Binding
Hardcover
Item Condition
New
Language
English
Pages
352
Keywords
Music | Genres & Styles | Rock; Music | History & Criticism | General; Music | Philosophy & Social Aspects; Music | Essays