All You Need is Myth is wholly unique within Beatle/Rock histories and critiques. This book entertains and educates lovers of the Beatles and rock music with information and perspective they cannot find anywhere else.
Imagine Joseph Campbell writing a book on the Beatles and rock & roll, and you will have a clear understanding of the revelatory content within All You Need is Myth. In fact, Jonathan Young, PhD, Founding Curator of the Joseph Campbell Archives, calls it a "dazzling array of Beatles' lore" and a reminder that" the holy is not the private property of theologians or other scholars."
All You Need is Myth proposes that the Beatles and the iconic stars of the classic rock era function as modern forms of classical archetypes familiar in mythologies and religious traditions throughout history. The book establishes a persuasive argument that these "Rock Gods" have not only achieved the status of mythic deities but were chosen and nurtured for these roles by the culture itself because of their inherent resonance with archetypal characters, narratives, and symbolism.
Wagner's thoughtful inquiry makes original contributions to the field of mythology as it is understood in the modern day. The thesis is a fulcrum of philosophical perspectives connecting separate academic studies, merging theories by Carl Jung, Joseph Campbell, Marshall McLuhan, and Mircea Eliade, among many others. Like a modern version of Sir James George Frazer's The Golden Bough, this book synthesizes mythic traditions from around the globe, identifies enduring archetypal symbolism in a new milieu, and provides innovative terminology to demarcate the various forms of mythic expression.
All You Need is Myth promises to be a cornerstone reference in a growing cultural dialogue and required reading for anyone--be they simply fans, New Age seekers, or scholars--interested in the compelling topics and ideas it explores.
Author Steve Wagner is a member of the San Francisco Film Critic's Circle and was co-host, writer, and executive producer of the Bay Area television programs Reel Life and Filmtrip, reviewing over 1,000 films and interviewing over 300 actors, directors, writers, and musicians. He was singer and guitarist of the Backsliders, a touring rock band in the 1980s that performed over 800 shows and opened for numerous national acts. For a decade, Steve was a director of the San Francisco Art Exchange, a gallery specializing in rock & roll photography and original album cover art. He brokered sales of many of the world's most famous album cover original artworks, including Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon.
"All You Need is Myth reminds us that the holy is not the private property of theologians or other scholars. You will not only journey through a dazzling array of Beatles' lore, but will be exposed to new perspectives throughout. Wagner combines insight from a range of noted theorists to build a convincing case for the profound significance of this music both culturally and personally. Reading this book will be a celebration of the importance of popular music in your life. You might keep a journal nearby as you read these pages." - Jonathan Young, PhD Founding Curator, Joseph Campbell Archives
"If you want to know why the Beatles captured the heart and soul of three generations, all you need is All You Need is Myth. This brilliant and provocative book liberates mythology from the ancient Greek and makes it accessible to the modern Geek." - Steve Bhaerman aka Swami Beyondananda Author - Spontaneous Evolution
