How cocaine influenced British rock and metal culture from 1964-1980

This dissertation determines the possible effects of cocaine on British rock and metal culture between 1964 and 1980. Via historical research, there will be an exploration of the relation-ships between cocaine and British rock and metal artists active during this period and their audiences, and an evaluation of the psychosociological reasons for such attitudes and behav-iours. This thesis identifies cocaine’s relationships within several iconic rock subcultures and proposes the effects that cocaine may have had on them. By understanding the effects that cocaine has on the mind and body, this research also determines any possible effects that this may have on the music, particularly regarding creativity and productivity. By doing so, this dissertation identifies the effects this may have had on the British rock and metal culture. A musical analysis evaluates how cocaine has been represented in music and performance. The analysis is comprised of four case studies: Eric Clapton’s “Cocaine” (1977); David Bowie’s “Station to Station” (1976); Ian Dury’s “Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll” (1977); and Black Sabbath’s “Snowblind” (1972). This thesis also evaluates the effects that this may have on listeners and audiences, particularly the possible positive and negative effects that this may have on their influence to buy music that references cocaine.