Alistair McCulloch
Alistair McCulloch has been listening to good music since his early teenage years in the 1960s. It is his genuine belief that music started to go downhill on 31 December 1969 and, with the very odd exception, has failed to re-achieve its previous heights!
Raised on blues, folk and the original R&B (rhythm and blues), his favourite band is the Incredible String Band, as anyone who meets him soon discovers. He also holds a particular affection for Arthur Lee and Love, Roger McGuin and The Byrds, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Cream and anything involving Al Kooper or Mike Bloomfield. And, of course, there's also Jimi Hendrix!
Blown away by the music of the San Franciscan psychedelic scene, he became a fully-non-paid-up member of the counterculture and is particularly interested in the relationships between the music and psychedelic art and literature, and the influences that fed into the counterculture and those those that came out of it. He is passionate about the art of the Fillmore.
Also very interested in the politics of the era (as well as those of today in which he can see similarities with the 60s), Alistair later studied the subject, going on to gain a PhD and becoming an academic. He currently works in the area of research and graduate studies and is an expert in the doctoral (PhD) process. The music helps keeps him sane!
One of his latest articles combines his interests in music and politics and is about the paradox at the heart of the Live Aid concerts. Other music-related articles include one on the Monterey International Pop Music Festival, held 40 years ago this year, and Pink Floyd's first album, 'The Piper at the Gates of Dawn'. The latest of his collection of articles on the San Franciscan music scene of the 60s looks at Country Joe and the Fish.
Other recent articles draw on his academic background and take an informed look at the motivations for doctoral study, preparing for a doctoral viva, preparing to go to Graduate School, and the importance of your first week of graduate studies.
Latest Articles
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Julia Gillard, Australia's First Female Prime Minister
In one of the most remarkable coups in Australian political history, Julia Gillard has replaced Kevin Rudd to become Australia's first female prime minister
Jun 23, 2010
- Alistair McCulloch
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Chip Monck – the Voice of the Woodstock Festival
Woodstock was one of the defining events of the 1960s and anyone who's seen the film will remember the voice of the man who said 'don't eat the brown acid'.
Aug 15, 2009
- Alistair McCulloch
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Overcoming Problems in Studying for a PhD
Studying for a PhD can be a real roller coaster ride. A doctorate takes at least three years to complete and lots can go wrong during a student's doctoral study.
Aug 12, 2009
- Alistair McCulloch
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Australia Post Bi-Centennial Celebrations
Australia's postal service is 200 years old. Established in 1809, the Australian postal system is one of the oldest in the world and covers an entire continent.
Jun 23, 2009
- Alistair McCulloch
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The True Value and Cost of Athletic Shoes
Are cheap running shoes as good as expensive ones? Is it really worth buying expensive designer athletic and running shoes, ? A newly published book suggests not.
Jun 7, 2009
- Alistair McCulloch
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Help With Immigration to Australia from the UK
Emigration to Australia is a big step. Here's where to find advice on immigration to Australia from the UK from Britains who've already emigrated Downunder.
May 31, 2009
- Alistair McCulloch
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John Le Carre – A Most Wanted Man
John Le Carre is a master storyteller and, in A Most Wanted Man, he has proved once again that George Smiley's successors on British intelligence are on the case.
May 28, 2009
- Alistair McCulloch
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Walter Mosley's Easy Rawlins and Blue Light
Walter Mosley writes fiction the way fiction ought to be written. At times it is Raymond Chandler meets Chester Himes, at others, Chandler and C. S. Lewis on acid.
Apr 29, 2009
- Alistair McCulloch
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How Is Scotch Whisky Made?
One of the things Scotland is best known for is scotch whisky. Scotch whisky is Scotland's national drink (for adults at least) and comes either as scotch or single malt.
Apr 25, 2009
- Alistair McCulloch
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The Dr Siri Books of Colin Cotterill
Colin Cotterill has produced an unlikely hero in Dr Siri , the National Coroner for newly socialist 1976 Laos, giving readers a new series of detective stories to savour.
Apr 11, 2009
- Alistair McCulloch
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