I would like to thank Net Galley and W.W. Norton and Company for the opportunity to read this book as an ARC. This is a well researched book with a wealth of information on music and the LGBTQ performers involved. There is a lot to read and , much of it was not new , to me at least. However, it was well organized and arranged. It talks about men and women from the 50's through the 70's. It also give much historical information from both the USA and England puts everything in context. It does read like a textbook at times, and I really wanted more pictures of some of the artists named. However, I do thank the author for their hard work.

My thanks to NetGalley and W. W. Norton & Company for an advance copy of the history about the influence of LGBTQ people in the music industry and how their music, their presence, and their lives eased in some ways acceptance into society, work that still continues even in the 21st century.

When I was growing up my school offered classes in music, art, and how to use a library to find out information. When I ask my nephews about this, they say Google and just move on. In our progress we have taken away something from our lives, that aided us in the world, something that we lost. I learned how to draw, paint, create things with clay. I learned how to read music, if I wanted I could learn an instrument, for a price, or sing in the chorus. In the library I learned how to look things up, find information, and find out about the world. All things that certain people don't like. So the arts has been cut, libraries considered fifth column propaganda groups, and people are denied getting in touch with parts of their creativity that might help them deal with life, or even save their life. The arts has long been a sanctuary for people, a way to express what they feel, and what they believe, to find others and learn that they are not alone. Sometimes they labor in obscurity, and sometimes they can change minds. The Secret Public: How Music Moved Queer Culture From the Margins to the Mainstream by music journalist and historian Jon Savage is a history about music and how certain artists created something that changed the way America looked at itself, and how even in a new century, we can still learn much on how to make sure this fight continues.

This book is epic in size and scope but only covers a brief history in music, from the rise of rock n roll, to the end of disco. Many artists are of course covered but the book begins with Little Richard, starting with a brief look at his life, which was far harder than I knew, and I have long enjoyed his music. Savage starts at the early 50's describing what life was like for people who might not have loved in acceptable ways, being branded as communists, or even worse. Banned from government jobs, blackmailed by gossip magazines, or even driven out of the the one thing that every brought them joy. Savage looks at musicians, Richard, Johnnie Ray, looks at movies stars like Rock Hudson, gossip magazines, and articles about the gay lifestyle that seem just as misinformed and poorly presented as today. What becomes clear is that music was a control issue. Adults were losing control of the kids. Race records were moving to rhythm and blues, and even with all the white artists stealing songs, kids were becoming more interested and more accepting of different ideas. And one of those ideas was homosexuality, and alternate lifestyles.

I've read a lot of Jon Savage, but knew little about the man, and found the opening of the book discussing his own life as a gay man in music journalism interesting. Savage knew other gay men, but never discussed their lifestyle, which I found sad. That is what I felt most reading this book. Sad. That these performers who were so good at what they did, making life bearable for so many people, could have it all taken away by a gossip magazine. An old arrest for being caught in a known gay hangout. Old photos. And suddenly, their career was gone. This is a fantastic book, a shadow history of music told from a point of view that really should be discussed more. The freedom to be who one wanted to be, to be in public singing songs, dropping lyrics that people might dance to, but others knew meant so much more. This is music history the way it should be told, from all points of view, all sorts of voices. A music of rebellion, not for selling Cruise ship trips or Disney packages.

Another great look at music from an author I have always admired. The bravery it takes to be who you are is something I admire. When added with a talent for writing, a talent to find and share the stories about music that I enjoy, that makes for a great experience. A really great read, and one not to be missed.

This book completely opened my eyes to how music has been a powerful voice for the LGBTQ community over the last half-century. Jon Savage takes us on an incredible journey, from Little Richard's coded messages in the 1950s to the flamboyant, culture-shifting disco beats of Sylvester and Donna Summer. It’s not just a history lesson—it’s a celebration of how music has helped people connect and understand each other across boundaries. I learned so much about the hidden layers in iconic songs and artists, and it left me marveling at how pop culture shaped acceptance in ways I’d never realized before. A fascinating, educational read for music lovers!

I was blown away by the love I could feel throughout this book and the care that went into sharing these stories. I was also impressed by the inclusivity and wide range of the LGBTQ+ community and granting respect for those who may have identified differently at the time. Jon Savage's ability to link the political and cultural ties not just from the US, but really diving into the scene in the UK as well, opened up my eyes to an entirely different part of LGBTQ+ history and the coming age of new music overseas.
I would gladly read more of their books as I really thoroughly enjoyed the writing style and how simple it was to get drawn into these stories.

My only issue I will point out was the lack of attention to Freddie Mercury. I would have enjoyed following along with his journey and struggles in this time and environment as well.

I learned so much reading this book! I thought I knew so much about queer history and music - but I was undereducated until I read this book. The soundtrack for this book is epic - Sylvester, Little Richard, David Bowie, Donna Summer, and so many more. It has inspired me to really dig into some classic music playlists. It is a lengthy, but engrossing in depth pop culture history book that I will be using as a reference for years to come.

I received this as digital galley from NetGalley.

This was an interesting book that focused on queer/lesbian/gay musicians (some out, some closeted) who helped to influence culture. I liked that the book chose to focus on both the US and UK because I learned about UK musicians that I had never heard of before.

Like many books related to LGBT culture I feared that this would focus just on cis gay male- but the book included female musicians and transgender musicians.