Introduction
An urban legend or urban myth is a widespread contemporary coequal to the vision of fairy tales circulating in modern society. At first glance, the story may seem plausible, including actual characters and carrying a particular moral, but usually, urban legends do not have valid evidence. The legend usually touches on the most in-depth concerns and worries of society. The plausibility of a story is primarily based on the need for special knowledge to parse and confirm it. The urban legend is part of modern folklore, transmitted through oral communication or the Internet (Inglis 227). Often such stories purposely or unwillingly become material for deliberately unreliable publications in the yellow press. Any topic of interest, whether popular music or social movement, can become the subject of urban legends. They have various features and functions in society, including entertaining and informative.
Urban Legends of the 60s and 70s
The article, in particular, describes urban legends in the context of the well-known social maxim Sex, Drugs, and Rock ‘n’ Roll. It used to be the anthem of the whole generation of rebels and hedonists of the 60s and 70s. The time was distinguished by many incredibly gifted artists, whose destiny was so thrilling that people were ready to invent and acknowledge any exciting nonsense. Many of the stories are severely degrading and describe the artist exceptionally poorly. Elvis Presley, The Rolling Stones band, Led Zeppelin, and other celebrities are accused of such terrible things as drugs, promiscuity, dealing with minors, faking their death, and so on (Inglis 278). Some urban legends are more benevolent, such as Bob Dylan visiting a random family when he messed up the address of a recording studio.
Particular Features of the Sex, Drugs, and Rock ‘n’ Roll Urban Legends
Urban legends involving real people, especially artists, are rather different from the typical gossip. Firstly, they are more detailed and acquire more shocking facts over time. In some cases, this can seriously harm celebrities’ careers and damage their statuses. Secondly, the urban legends of the 60s and 70s fully reveal the social directive of Sex, Drugs, and Rock ‘n’ Roll. It was a period of riotous freedom, rebellion, a movement against public condemnation. Many artists created certain stage images, emphasizing scandalousness and disregard for moral stigma. Such ideas always attract a lot of attention and often are at the epicenter of gossip, scandals, and fiction. Thirdly, it is challenging to distinguish truth from fiction in this case (Inglis 280). Many famous people can indeed tend to abuse their position and authority, as is often the case. Urban legends can accidentally mix with real stories and cause distrust, skepticism, and prejudice.
Public Attitudes
Urban legends can evoke very different emotions in storytellers and listeners. Some truly believe in what was happening and are ready for a heated debate. Some people are cynical, and it is hard to convince them of any story. For many storytellers and listeners, such legends are nothing more than entertainment. However, for specialists, the urban legend takes on a very different status in terms of specific insider information or any other personal understanding of the case.
Social Influence
Urban legends serve certain functions for people in society. As a distinct part of folklore, they perfectly convey the spirit of the times and the cultural features. Stories are usually based on the inner dread and passions of people. In this case, artists are the perfect mediators between fiction and reality. However, urban legends can not only teach but distract from the essence and actual cause. There are many cases when famous artists suffered because of such rumors, which later became urban legends.
Conclusion
Many urban legends are created for entertainment purposes only and do not contain valid arguments. However, Sex, Drugs, and Rock ‘n’ Roll tendency is a fine base for both amusement gossip and lessons for the public to learn. Some stories may include an explicit moral and have a real historical basis for assurance. The main purpose of such stories is to evoke the appropriate emotion and feedback in the listener.
Work Cited
Inglis, I. “Sex and Drugs and Rock ‘n’ Roll Urban Legends and Popular Music.” Popular Music and Society, 2007, Web.