ROCK HISTORIAN WILL PRESENT TWO PROGRAMS AT CRANFORD LIBRARY

Rock historian Vincent Bruno will present two programs in February on the popular music of the 1960s. Both programs will take place at the Cranford Community Center, located at 220 Walnut Avenue. The first lecture, “The Sixties: The British Invasion,” will take place on Wednesday, February 15, at 7:00 p.m. and will focus on the rise of the British pop and rock acts that invaded American shores in the 1960s. From pop groups (The Beatles, The Animals, The Dave Clark 5, The Kinks) to psychedelic and progressive bands (The Who, Pink Floyd, Cream, Traffic), Mr. Bruno will explore highlights from landmark recordings that clearly defined this British pop renaissance era. The presentation will also touch on aspects of British popular culture (cinema, fashion, TV, and UK underground) whose influence added to this remarkable period.
Mr. Bruno’s second presentation, “The Sixties: The American Pop/Rock Era,” will take place on Thursday, February 23, at 7:00 p.m. The lecture explores the rise of the many innovative artists who created new sounds that captivated a generation, and whose influence endures five decades later. From the remarkable Brill Building songwriters (Burt Bacharach, Carol King) to the art of Bob Dylan, from Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound, to the California magic of Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys, Mr. Bruno will examine folk, rock, R&B, and pop, as well as the rock festivals that defined the era. Each program is two-hours long and both include audio-clips and slides.
Vincent Bruno is a rock historian with a focus on The Beatles and the 1960s. In addition to his work as a rock historian, Mr. Bruno has taught in a number of settings for more than 35 years. The programs are sponsored by the Friends of the Cranford Public Library. Admission is free and all are welcome.