Kate Everett, Staff Writer

When one thinks of rock ‘n’ roll, images of drug addiction, promiscuity, trashed hotel rooms and general hedonism usually come to mind. Even putting aside these extreme stereotypes, this type of music is commonly associated with rabid, screaming groupies and escapism. To use “God” and “rock ‘n’ roll” in the same sentence would be surprising, even absurd, for most people. Irish rock journalist John Waters, however, would argue that this isn’t a complete picture.

Waters sees the desire for truth as the driving force of rock music.  If one looks past the sold-out stadiums and common stereotypes of rock musicians and fans alike, one can sense an undeniable search for the infinite. Rock is not just loud noise and rebellion, but involves the very hidden depths of the human heart. He argues that within this superficial shell “there is a hard core of fundamental content which is really the cry of man expressed in a modern idiom.” But is it possible that a song played on the radio is able to convey, in time and space, the desire of the human being for ‘something beyond’? Can the artist transmit his or her own desire to the heart of another person, the listener? John Waters will respond to these questions and more when he comes to Notre Dame on April 11 and gives a lecture entitled “rock ‘n’ roll as Search for the Infinite.”

John Waters will travel to Notre Dame from Ireland, where he works as a journalist, author and playwright. At 57 years old, Waters has been writing about rock ‘n’ roll for over 30 years, beginning his career in Dublin with the Irish political-music magazine Hot Press in 1981. His first book, Jiving at the Crossroads, was a bestseller about the cultural underbelly of Irish politics. His other publications include Race of Angels, an in-depth study on the roots of U2’s music in Irish history and culture. In 1998, he devised The Whoseday Book, which contains quotes, writings and pictures of 365 Irish writers and musicians and raised millions of dollars for the Irish Hospice Foundation. He has also written several award-winning plays, including Long Black Coat and Easter Dues. He currently writes a popular weekly column for The Irish Times.

This lecture, sponsored by the Center for Ethics and Culture, will take place in McKenna Hall Auditorium at 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 11. The lecture will seek to show and celebrate the presence of the human desire for the infinite as the major driving force of music, which continues to fascinate people, especially youth. The most successful artists, the ones who have endured, tend to be the ones “who have taken the greatest questions most seriously and have been least afraid to speak in specifics.”

John Waters will use examples of songs and artists that crossed the line from noise to purpose and who, he argues, are among the greatest modern interpreters of truth and the meaning of life. In light of this, he will discuss six bands, both past and current: Mumford and Sons, U2, Coldplay, Bob Dylan, Pink Floyd and Dave Matthews Band. In addition to his Thursday Lecture, Waters has also agreed to be present for several on-campus lunches, in which interested students can meet, eat, and talk with him. These lunches will take place on Monday April 8,Wednesday April 10 and Thursday April 11. Interested students should contact ndethics@nd.edu for more information and to request a spot for a lunch.

Kate Everett is a freshman majoring in PLS and Theology.  If in need of a crewneck sweater in any color, contact her at keverett@nd.edu.