This is an adaptation of an article that appeared in the magazine Senior Scholastic, 1974. The subject may be said to reflect an important aspect of contemporary American culture. It is one of absorbing interest to the teenage readers to whom the article is addressed.
    In this article, the author focuses on the social significance of rock music rather than dealing with it as a musical force. He begins with three short scenes, each of which describes the onstage appearance of a popular favorite performer. The writing here follows the same set pattern: the date, the place, the mention of a particular musical performer, his or her effect upon the audience. The sentences are short, packed with adjectives, in an attempt to recapture the excitement of these performances.
    After the descriptive section, the author raises a series of questions. They are in fact an extension of the second part of the title, which asks what the rock superstars tell teenagers about themselves and their society. Then the author attempts to delineate the significance of rock music, starting from social beliefs and attitudes and then proceeding to feelings. However, as readers reach the end of the article, they find that despite the somewhat authoritative statements from a well-known sociologist and a composer, the main questions posed at the beginning remains unanswered. It may be the author’s intention not to provide any solution but to encourage the readers to think seriously about the problems.