Berkleemusic.com Debuts New Online Course “Rock History”

Boston, MA, March 13, 2012 —  Berkleemusic.com, the online school of  Boston’s renowned Berklee College of Music, is launching Rock History,  an online course that chronicles the evolution of one of the greatest  periods of music. Rock History takes an-depth look at the highs and lows of rock over the past 60 years; the key heroes and  villains, the movers and shakers from the studio and the concert stage,  and a behind-the-scenes look at the managers, industry executives,  promoters, and cultural trends that shaped it. The course launches April 2nd, 2012.

Berkleemusic has tapped Steve Morse to author and teach Rock History.  Morse brings a lifetime of real-world experience to the material. Steve  was the senior rock writer at the Boston Globe for over three decades,  and has contributed to other top-tier press outlets such as Billboard and Rolling Stone. He has also served on the  nominating committee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Steve has a rich  background in Rock History, having interviewed and developed strong,  decades-long ties with dozens of the most important artists and bands in rock, including the Rolling Stones (first seeing  them in 1966), U2, Paul McCartney, Aerosmith, AC/DC, Bruce Springsteen,  Bob Marley, Metallica, Joni Mitchell, Eric Clapton, Pearl Jam, Stevie  Wonder, Coldplay, Tom Petty, and many more.

"The new Rock History online course from Berklee is a comprehensive,  interactive, and immersive way to experience the most important and  interesting time ever in the music industry," says Dave Kusek, CEO at  Berkleemusic.com. "Steve Morse has such a wealth of knowledge and insight into what actually happened behind the scenes and  the way the course is crafted, it is simply the most unique and exciting  way to learn about this incredible time in the history of music. You  will not find a better way to learn about and appreciate the classic albums and live shows that were created by the  true legends of rock and roll, as the music industry ignited."

Throughout the course, students will view exclusive, never before seen  Berkleemusic video interviews with rock luminaries including: Joe Perry  of Aerosmith; Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead; Mike Mills of R.E.M.; Ernie  Isley of the Isley Brothers; George Clinton of P-Funk; producer Jack Douglas (who has worked with Aerosmith, Patti  Smith, and John Lennon); promoter Don Law; Amanda Palmer; Hugo Burnham  of Gang of Four; Duke Levine (who has played with the J. Geils Band and  Aimee Mann); and English super-session drummer Dave Mattacks. Berkleemusic has also partnered with Wolfgang’s Vault to  provide additional rare audio, video, and other forms of historical rock  media presented in an educational context for the very first time 

"I have known Steve Morse for over twenty years,” concludes Aerosmith’s  Joe Perry. “Steve is a musicologist and his love of music makes him a  very enthusiastic teacher. Steve has an undying love of music and a  proven ability to be one of music's finest critics and writers.''

To learn more about the Rock History online course, visit http://www.berkleemusic.com/rockhistory