A Plea For Respect: Continental Songs And British Attitudes
POP MUSIC /Ethnomusicoligy
The Eurovision Song Contest holds a unique place in the history of modern
Europe.
The yearly pan-European soiree has developed into a phenomenon that is now
far more than a mere song festival,
Unveiling the beauty and diversity of Europe’s most iconic music event –
The Eurovision Song Contest.
The Eurovision Song Contest has grown to become a great European tradition
and holds a unique place in the history of modern Europe. The yearly
pan-Eurpean soiree has developed into a phenomenon that is now far more than
a mere song festival.Its stage has been graced by Europe`s greatest artistes
and its songs written by some of the continent`s most respected song writers
yet there still exists negative attitudes towards it in Britain where the
Contest is often portrayed as of little aesthetic value .A more in-depth
study shows that it is far from a parade of glitz and banal lyrics. Through
this book we delve into the background and history into which many of its
entries had their roots and examine why it has been maligned so much in
Britain and how certain attitudes have taken root particularly in the U.K as
well as taking a closer look at notable entries throughout its history. We
travel on a journey through the plethora of artistes, songs and events that
have made up the Contest and site the reasons why it should be regarded as
quality culture and merit respect.
About the Author
Steve Kerr was brought up in the pleasant seaside town of Broughty Ferry in
North East Scotland. He spent part of his teenage life in Glamis Castle,
home to Macbeth and the Queen Mother, reputed to be the most haunted house
in Scotland! He later worked and studied in London, he also lived in Spain,
Hungary and for a number of years, Greece and worked as a lecturer in
Yorkshire.
Steve’s interest in writing came from the early 1970s when his somewhat
unconventional English teacher encouraged his creativity. His creativity and
imagination went back however to childhood when he would create stories and
draw them in a series of pictures. He has always had a strong interest in
History and music. As a teenager he composed many songs but never met with
success his creative abilities were slowly channeled into writing books. His
first Novel ” A Cafe In Arcadia”, about life in an insular Greek town, was
published in 2014. He had already published ” The Christmas Tree Of Tales ”
in 2013 under the name S R Kerr.. In 2021 he published another novel “The
Winding Streets Of Kolonaki” set in Athens.
He counts a love of music in his interests as well as travel and reading.
He has travelled extensively to places as diverse as Pakistan and Peru and
hopes to visit Japan, Hong Kong and the USA in the near future.
Growing up next to the beach on the River Tay in his home town was a a
major influence on him as was living in a castle. He was always interested
in anthropology and visiting other countries where he often immersed himself
in their culture. Places he visited and lived in inspired much of his
writing, as did his interest in psychology, people watching. He worked as a
lecturer, tutor, journalist ,civil servant in London where at a point he
shared a house with the group The Test Department.
He is at the moment working on three other books
1) Eurovision, A plea for respect (continental songs and British
attitudes)
2)The afternoons of Sanjay Bassinger
3)It Came Upon One Christmas Eve.
Contact Link
Purchase Link
