Season of the Witch

How the Occult Saved Rock and Roll

By: Peter Bebergal

Narrated by: Gildart Jackson

This epic cultural and historical odyssey unearths the full influence of occult traditions on rock and roll - from the Beatles to Black Sabbath - and shows how the marriage between mysticism and music changed our world.

From the hoodoo-inspired sounds of Elvis Presley to the Eastern odysseys of George Harrison, from the dark dalliances of Led Zeppelin to the Masonic imagery of today's hip-hop scene, the occult has long breathed life into rock and hip-hop-and, indeed, esoteric and supernatural traditions are a key ingredient behind the emergence and development of rock and roll.

With vivid storytelling and laser-sharp analysis, writer and critic Peter Bebergal illuminates this web of influences to produce the definitive work on how the occult shaped-and saved-popular music.

As Bebergal explains, occult and mystical ideals gave rock and roll its heart and purpose, making rock into more than just backbeat music, but into a cultural revolution of political, spiritual, sexual, and social liberation.

©2014 Peter Bebergal (P)2022 Tantor

Interesting insights

A new take on music I grew up listening to. well done indeed. yes.

Great look into the history of Rock & Roll.

I first heard about this book when The Last Podcast on the Left did an episode on David Bowie. I have been waiting years for an audible for this and greatly appreciate it for finally coming along. It gets a little slow at parts and the narration sometimes can make you feel like you’re in history class nodding off. I still highly recommend this book for anyone who is interested in learning more about rock and roll history and the spiritual aspect of how they are related.