Time: 2 PM NYC TIME (7 PM London time, 11 AM California time, 8 PM Amsterdam time)
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In his seminal 1985 book The Death and Resurrection Show, Rogan Taylor traces the evolution of western show biz from its origins in the bizarre and spectacular performances of shamans -- the medicine men and women of nomadic tribes. Beginning with the ancient religion of shamanism, he describes a shaman's descent into the role of magical doctor -- his descent into the Underworld, his sufferings, eventual death, dismemberment and resurrection. Reborn, he subsequently flies to meet the spirits of the upper world before finally returning to earth as a shaman with full power.
The author finds that every single trick and stunt, song and dance, so familiar to us on the popular stage has its taproots in the shaman's re-enactment of these strange adventures. When the white rabbit emerges from the conjurer's top hat this is the last act; we no longer see the first, when the rabbit is dropped and dismemembered. He concludes that show business still operates therapeutically in a way very similar to that of the shaman's ritual magic. Modern show biz, it appears, is anchored in the Underworld experience -- in Hell itself.
This explains the established Church's long-standing opposition to all popular entertainment, maintained despite — or perhaps because of — the unmistakable similarity between the resurrection of Jesus Christ and that of the traditional shaman. ("Jesus descended into Hell. On the third day he rose again..." What did he do there?) It also explains the necessity for the disguising of show business, and throws light upon the time of its emergence as a major cultural force in the modern age. The author sees in rock-and-roll particularly as the most obvious flowering of the ecstatic mystery inherent in the magic show. After tracing the development of show business from the shaman's healing performances through to the traveling show, pantomime, circus and popular music, and by examining the life stories of Houdini, Charlie Chaplin, Bessie Smith, Little Richard, Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon and David Bowie, he uncovers the direct line of descent from the shamans of the past to the superstars of today.
In this talk, Dr Taylor will introduce us to the fascinating and provocative material presented in his book of the same name.
Dr Rogan P Taylor was born in Liverpool; left school at 16; travelled widely around the world as a young man 'on the road'; didn't really stop until nearly 30yrs old; went to university aged 33; got a first and did a PhD focussed on shamanistic ritual and psychoanalysis. Published first book (of six) in 1985, The Death and Resurrection Show' looking at remnants of shamanistic themes in modern showbiz.