Home > Blogs > On Campus > Archives > 2010 > March > 09 > Entry
UD professor featured in rock documentary
A forthcoming book by University of Dayton history professor Larry Schweikart inspired a documentary film about rock ‘n’ roll’s part in ending the Cold War and bringing about the dissolution of the former Soviet Union.
The upcoming film, “Rockin’ the Wall,” is based on a chapter in Schweikart’s book, “7 Events that Made America America: And Proved that the Founding Fathers Were Right All Along.”
“The communists kept out television and literature, but as Mikhail Gorbachev said, ‘We couldn’t keep out rock and roll,’ ” Schweikart said.
The movie is described as a documentary told from the perspective of rockers who played at the time on both sides of the Iron Curtain, and from survivors of communist regimes who recalled the lifeline that rock music provided.
A film crew in late February shot footage of Schweikart teaching a class in Sears Recital Hall on the UD campus.The crew also interviewed former Soviet Union refugees on campus and filmed at St. Paul’s Orthodox Church in Dayton and the National Museum of the United States Air Force.
To date, the crew also has interviewed musicians Robbie Krieger of the Doors, David Paich of Toto, and Leslie Mandoki, a European star who escaped communism, among others.
Schweikart’s previous book, “A Patriot’s History of the United States,” which he co-authored with University of Washington Tacoma history professor Michael Allen, reached No. 13 on the New York Times Bestseller List (paperback nonfiction) on March 7. It debuted at No. 18 on Feb. 28.
Schweikart has appeared on the Fox News Channel’s “Glenn Beck” show.
“Rockin’ the Wall” is planned for a summer release, according to UD officials. “7 Events that Made America America” is scheduled for release in July.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: University of Dayton

Dave Larsen writes about higher education.
Kelly Mori writes about health and higher education.
Comments
By Steve W
March 9, 2010 7:00 PM | Link to this
Congrats to Larry. I am very much looking forward to the book—A Patriot’s History was outstanding