Author explores connection between the occult and rock and roll with new book, release party at Ardent 10/31

by | Oct 27, 2015 | COMMUNITY

Believe it or not, the witches saved Rock and Roll.

If you don’t believe it, head down to
Believe it or not, the witches saved Rock and Roll.

If you don’t believe it, head down to Ardent Craft Ales Halloween night for a vivid storytelling of “Season of the Witch: How the Occult Saved Rock and Roll” as told by Massachusetts-based author and critic himself, Peter Bebergal.

“This book is a book that I’ve waited to write my whole life, the intersection of the occult is weird and rock and roll has been something that i’ve always been interested in,”Bebergal said. “I grew up in the mid-to-late seventies and early eighties where so much of rock and roll and the aesthetics and the cultural conversation around it was oriented towards its possible occult actions and parental fears.”

Performing mystic spell incantations,and brewing up supernatural traditions trickled to today’s modern age where now there are infamous rock and roll bands who once performed magical music songs and brewed up captivating classics.

Classics that solidified rock and roll bands and legends such as David Bowie, KISS, and Led Zeppelin into history with their music-making powers and out of this world aesthetics. These powers resulted in undertaking millions of followers and millions of speculators as well.

“It was during a time where “Dungeons and Dragons” was accused of being part of some satanic conspiracy,” said Bebergal. “Not only was there a lot of fear that people were trying to perpetuate in the culture, but it was also a time where authors and artists were really into these things like movies about the devil (Exorcists), along with an explosion in interests about UFOs and psychic phenomena.”

From pentagram connections to easter eggs hidden in records, Bebergal re-tells his childhood experiences and connective manifestations that pull together mysticism and music that further interested him in researching and writing about the cultural phenomenon of rock and roll and the relations with occult traditions.

“What I really needed to do was find the most representative moments of rock and roll and announce the larger monuments and movements about the culture,” Bebergal said.

Bebergal justifies this idea with his book, “Season of The Witch: How the Occult Saved Rock and Roll”, a vivid storytelling that discusses the epic mysticism and historical odyssey of how occult traditions contributed to the legacy and cementation of rock and roll in our divine culture.

Though the word “occult” seems loaded, everyone can take part in Bebergal’s reading this Halloween with full interest.
“I don’t want people to feel like this subject is limited,” he said. “The reason I wrote this book ultimately is because I love rock and roll. That’s what drives the energy behind this storytelling and hopefully that will drive the energy behind people when the book is discussed.”

Bebergal will hold a book reading and premiere party for his paperback release “Season of the Witch: How the Occult Saved Rock and Roll” at Ardent Craft Ales October 31. The reading will be followed by DJ Sister Golden Haze who will bring the Halloween dance tunes.

Doors open at 7 pm with a $5 entrance free.

Amy David

Amy David

Amy David was the Web Editor for RVAMag.com from May 2015 until September 2018. She covered craft beer, food, music, art and more. She's been a journalist since 2010 and attended Radford University. She enjoys dogs, beer, tacos, and Bob's Burgers references.




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