The Source

There’s a belief that after the death of Buddy Holly rock & roll lost its way until the arrival of the Beatles. Early '60s rock was still growing in popularity, but the airwaves were ruled by teen idols, girl groups and novelty songs. However, that’s not the full story. Richard Aquila is the author of Rock & Roll in Kennedy's America: A Cultural History of the Early 1960s.

Born on the dance floor in the 1970s amidst the shadow of post-Nixon America and a bruising recession, Disco offered an escape from American disillusionment and economic hardship. Disco celebrated inclusivity, hedonism, and liberation. When it became a commercial success, it became a cultural force that may have seemed vacant and superficial, but there was a deeper cultural significance. David Hamsley writes about that in his book To Disco, with Love: The Records That Defined an Era.

Glam rock was a musical movement that originated in the United Kingdom in the early 1970s. It was characterized by its flamboyant style, which included glitter, platform shoes, and outrageous clothing and makeup. In a music-packed interview, Simon Reynolds, author of "Shock and Awe: The Legacy of Glam Rock," explains the rise of glam.

Roy Orbison was a West Texas boy with an operatic voice. He was drawn to the guitar at age six. His monumental global career successes were matched by extraordinary personal tragedies. Jeff Slate is the co-author of the book The Authorized Roy Orbison.

Here in Texas you are probably used to seeing and even interacting with white-tailed deer. They stride into gardens and could end up on the side of a road after an unfortunate vehicle collision. We have a long and complicated relationship with deer. They are part of our myths and evolution. In the new book “The Age of Deer” author Erika Howsare hunts for the tales about deer.