Into the Mystic: The Visionary and Ecstatic Roots of 1960s Rock and Roll

Hill, contributing editor of Deep Roots magazine, uses his expertise in music to explore and explain the essence of the musical style and lyrics of 1960s rock-and-roll music. The thoroughly researched book includes an overview of the history of ’60s music and offers explanations of its spiritual connections. Hill begins by talking about the gospel and jazz roots of rock before connecting rock and roll to African spiritual music and the idea that shout circles greatly influenced early rock music. There is a substantial amount of information on seminal spiritual and psychedelic albums such as Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, and also in-depth descriptions of the spirituality of famous musicians from this time period, including Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, and Lou Reed. Hill’s book will appeal to wide audiences, and fans of classic rock will be particularly ecstatic about the many enlightening (and potentially unexpected) spiritual facts to be found here. (Sept.)