Includes bibliographical references and index.

Part I: Power and progress. Bob Dylan's America -- Part II: Values. Freedom : revolution rock! ; Equality : this land was made for you and me ; Human rights : in the name of love ; Peace : give peace a chance -- Part III: Change. Education : teach your children well ; Activism : we are the world ; Money : welcome to the machine -- Part IV: Rockin' the free world. Ripple in still water.

In Rockin' the Free World, international relations expert Sean Kay takes readers inside "Bob Dylan's America" and shows how this vision linked the rock and roll revolution to American values of freedom, equality, human rights, and peace while tracing how those values have spread globally. Rockin' the Free World then shows how artists have engaged in advancing change via opportunity and education; domestic and international issue advocacy; and within the recording and broader communications industry. The book is built around primary interviews with prominent American and international performing artists ranging from Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees and Grammy winners to regional and local musicians. The interviews include leading industry people, management, journalists, heads of non-profits, and activists. The book concludes with a look at how musical artists have defined the American experience and what that has meant for the world [Publisher description]