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“Peter Blecha’s tragicomic, comprehensive account . . . is an education, an entertainment, and a warning of how the price of cultural freedom is eternal vigilance.” ––Charles Shaar Murray, author, Crosstown Traffic: Jimi Hendrix and the Postwar Rock ’n’ Roll Revolution

“Peter Blecha tells a story of how free we aren’t. It’s a story every music fan needs to know. Otherwise, we might come to the false conclusion that ‘You Gotta Fight for Your Right to Party’ is just a slogan.”  ­­––Dave Marsh, editor, Rock & Rap Confidential

 “From Plato to the Sex Pistols and beyond, Taboo Tunes is a lively and valuable survey of censorship and its discontents.”  ­­––Doug Honig, Communications Director, ACLU of Washington state

“Powerful music speaks to people in a way the censor can’t – and having a compiled history like Taboo Tunes at hand makes this realization most clear.” ­­––Krist Novoselic, www.fixour.us founder, former Nirvana bassist

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From ancient Rome through the 1980s “Explicit Lyrics” labeling crusade and on to the infamous Taliban regime, repressive governments and self-appointed moral guardians have sought to limit musical expression. In this extensively researched ode to scandal, Peter Blecha recounts the travails of musicians who have dared to air “unacceptable” topics. Filled with several centuries’ worth of raunchy sex ditties, morbid murder ballads, blasphemous satanic songs, paeans to intoxicating substances, and radical political anthems, Taboo Tunes lays the censors’ stories bare.

Far from merely recounting dusty history, Taboo Tunes casts a much-needed spotlight on current concerns over civil liberties and artistic freedom in the post-9/11 world.

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From Elvis to Eminem, Dylan to the Dixie Chicks, Taboo Tunes highlights the work of hundreds of controversial musicians including:

Billie Holiday • Woody Guthrie • Ray Charles • Beatles • Rolling Stones • Jimi Hendrix • Frank Zappa • Sex Pistols • Patti Smith • Public Enemy • Ice-T • 2 Live Crew • Nirvana • Bruce Springsteen • Sheryl Crow • Rage Against The Machine.

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Musician/author Peter Blecha’s books include Wired Wood: The Origins of the Electric Guitar, and his writings have appeared in periodicals such as Life, Vintage Guitar, and DISCoveries. Former long-time senior curator with the Experience Music Project and board member with the anti-censorship organization JAMPAC, Blecha fights the good fight from Seattle.