What are the weaknesses of the cultural perspective in understanding the birth of rock and roll?

I think that the main weakness of the cultural perspective is that Peterson doesn’t actually mention the music at all. He doesn’t mention any of the features of the music which obviously contributed to the genres appeal to such a large audience and what made the rock and roll genre so popular. The instruments that were used to produce the rock and roll genre are not mentioned and neither are the many different genres all pieced together to make the rock and roll genre. Peterson doesn’t take these factors into account at all. Nor does he take into account that everyone has unique tastes which can’t be culturally defined by one person.

I also don’t think you can generalise and say that factors such as technology had a great impact on the birth of rock and roll music. Yes it may has helped it on its way but if the transistor and other inventions were made later on, say in the 1960’s then it would have helped any popular music at that time. The same can be said for television, yes it would have contributed to the success of the rock and roll genre as it allowed more people to gain access to the music from another source rather than radio but I dont't thin it can be said it helped in the birth of rock and roll.

What is popular music?

I would define popular music as music was is easily identifiable and heard all the time on mainstream radio and TV for example. Also music which is easily accessible and what everyone listens to on a day to day basis. For example all the different genres of music played on the top radio stations, e.g Capital Radio, Radio One which are popular with all viewers so therefore played over and over again.
All the music which enters the Top 40 chart every week I see as popular music because the types of music in these charts must be 'popular' in order for people to go out and buy the music.I think this applies to the download charts too.
I don't believe that popular music only applies to one genre of music but in fact to several genres. So not just 'pop' music but rock, classical and urban music for example - whatever people are buying and listening to.
I think however that popular music has changed over the years and developed. I think it used to be in some what way classified to just pop music years ago but now new genres are developing and peoples tastes are changing so therefore overall popular music and the culture surrounding it has changed.