The emergence of Rock 'n' Roll in the 1950's came completely out of the blue for the music industry and Peterson's theory is vital for understanding the factors surrounding the new era of music but it fails to point out WHY this genre was Rock 'n' Roll.
Peterson makes some valid points about the way the society and the economy was but his brief discussion on technology means he misses one of the most important points - the electric guitar, and how this created the distinctive sound of Rock 'n' Roll. The mentioning of ASCAP and new occupations in the music industry such as radio presenters are very important in the involvement of creating a new genre - Rock 'n' Roll.
Peterson's theory is very useful in understanding why a new music genre was possible but it overlooks Rock 'n' Roll itself and why it was so successful.
This discussion only tangentially discusses the strengths and weaknesses of Peterson's theory and in its opening assertion that rock 'n' roll came out of the blue it completely contradicts it.
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