Music and Ritual

Religious rituals are often connected to the human life cycle and to human crises. Many people turn to music in times of crisis or trouble. Music provides a spiritual connection that allows its listeners to feel comfort or sympathy. Because of this, bands like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, or Nirvana, developed mass followings with religious connotations. Concerts became ritualistic, with fans worshipping their idols from their seats. This ritual began to extend into people's homes and daily lives. Fans hang up posters of their favorite artists up on their walls or write lyric quotes on their belongings. People are so obsessed with worshipping bands and music that we have even created The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, where fanatics can go to worship and bond with some of their favorite musicians.


Laderman says, "Americans… have turned to music as a sacred source of religious life, discovering the rhythms and beats, lyrics and sentiments a valuable way to escape." Many individuals turn to music to escape the realities of their everyday lives. We choose to worship music because we are attracted to the lifestyle it presents.   We may never experience life on the road or the struggles that musicians go through, but by investing ourselves into their music we are connecting to an entirely different world.