Lecture: Rock ‘n Jews – Gary Holzman
Rock ’n Jews- Unsung Jewish songwriters behind the most famous songs of the rock era
Not only were both the terms “rock n’ roll” and “rhythm n’ blues” coined by Jews but Jewish songwriters were also responsible for many of the greatest rock and pop hits of the 20th century. Some of these songwriters, such as Carole King, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Leonard Cohen, Neil Diamond, Randy Newman and Billy Joel are household names. Many more, however, are known only to a select few, yet their songs have become classics known and loved the world over. Songs such as ‘Rock Around the Clock’, ‘Jailhouse Rock’, ‘Twist & Shout’, Viva Las Vegas, ‘Do Wah Diddy Diddy’, ‘You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling’, ‘For Your Love’, ‘Sunshine of Your Love’, ‘Piece of My Heart’, ‘Eve of Destruction’, ‘Whiter Shade of Pale’, ‘Black Magic Woman’, ‘Billy Don’t Be A Hero’, ‘I Want Candy’, ‘Like A Virgin’, ‘I Touch Myself’ and ‘You’re the Voice’, to name but a few, are all written by Jews ...who knew!
Come along to this highly entertaining multi-media presentation and discover the Jewish songwriters behind these and so many other unforgettable songs which still fill classic rock radio stations and movie soundtracks to this day. Rare clips and interviews will be screened and an endless number of great tracks will be played. Group sing-a-longs are actively encouraged!
PRESENTER PROFILE – GARY HOLZMAN
Gary Holzman, Shir Madness founder and Sydney Shir Madness Festival Director, is an intellectual property lawyer who has spent all of his spare time (and a fair bit of his work time) listening to and reading about music. As a result of his extensive (some would say excessive) research Gary has developed an encyclopaedic knowledge of popular music with a particular emphasis on the history of Jewish songwriters and performers. He has parlayed this knowledge into a 10 week course entitled “The Jewish School of Rock” which he has presented to enthusiastic music lovers on a regular basis. Over the last 10 years he has also delivered numerous talks on the subject at Shalom College, Limmud Oz, North Shore Temple Emmanuel, Moriah College, B’nai B’rith and to the general public.