Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsBilly Bragg: Margaret Thatcher Made Me A Socialist
published on Apr 8, 2013
British rocker and activist Billy Bragg began his music career in the late 1970s in London when he formed the punk rock band Riff Raff. His 1984 album, "Brewing Up with Billy Bragg," included the song, "It Says Here," a critique of politics and tabloid newspapers that still rings true today in the wake of the News of the World phone-hacking scandal. In 1998 and 2000, he participated in two well-known albums Mermaid Avenue, Volumes 1 and 2 that gave voice to another folk troubadour who sang about the poor and working class: Woody Guthrie. Bragg composed music for lyrics written by Guthrie and performed many of the songs alongside the album's other main contributor, Wilco. But to speak of Bragg simply as a singer-songwriter misses his passion for speaking out against injustice and fighting for many causes. In the 1980s, he called for support for the 1984 strike by the National Union of Mineworkers, one of the most significant chapters in Britain's trade union history. It was ultimately defeated under the watch of then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, and Bragg went on to organize for the defeat of Thatcher and her Conservative government. He joins us for an extended interview and performance. He reflects on his long history of activism and sings several songs.
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
6 replies, 1614 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (13)
ReplyReply to this post
6 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Billy Bragg: Margaret Thatcher Made Me A Socialist (Original Post)
marmar
Apr 2013
OP
Oh my gawd! That house wiped out his credibility, his artistic/political merit and his life's work!
Arugula Latte
Apr 2013
#2
He probably cracks a bull whip at them while singing "Waiting for the Great Leap Forward"
Arugula Latte
Apr 2013
#5
Response to marmar (Original post)
devilgrrl This message was self-deleted by its author.
Arugula Latte
(50,566 posts)2. Oh my gawd! That house wiped out his credibility, his artistic/political merit and his life's work!
Response to Arugula Latte (Reply #2)
devilgrrl This message was self-deleted by its author.
Arugula Latte
(50,566 posts)5. He probably cracks a bull whip at them while singing "Waiting for the Great Leap Forward"
ironically.
Starry Messenger
(32,342 posts)4. BUT OMG HE DOESN'T LIVE IN A CAVE.
Can't wait to view/listen to this episode!