Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction. Mapping Polish Estrada Music -- Part 1. Institutional Framework of Polish Estrada Music. Taming the Absurd: Cultural Politics and Political Culture in the Polish People's Republic ; Failing to Join the Dots : Organisation of Polish Estrada Music -- Part 2. Stars. From Mieczysław Fogg to Izabela Trojanowska : Polish Estrada Stars ; Like Butterflies : Star Lyricists and Composers -- Part 3. Representation of Estrada Music. Reaching the Audience : Estrada Music on Radio, Television and in Cinema ; Between the Taste of the Musical Establishment and Ordinary Listeners : Estrada Music at Polish Festivals ; 'The Song Won't Let You Forget' : Remembering Estrada Music.

"Polish estrada music dominated Polish popular music throughout the state socialist period but gained little attention from popular music scholars because it was regarded as being of low quality and politically conformist. Ewa Mazierska carefully examines these assumptions, considering those institutions which catered for the needs of estrada artists and their fans, the presence of estrada in different media and the careers and styles of the leading stars, such as Mieczysław Fogg, Irena Santor, Violetta Villas, Anna German, Jerzy Połomski, Maryla Rodowicz, Zdzisława Sośnicka, Zbigniew Wodecki and Krzysztof Krawczyk. Mazierska also discusses the memory and legacy of estrada music in the post-communist period. The book draws on Poland's cultural and political history and the history of Polish popular music and media, including television and radio. Mazierska engages with concepts such as genre, stardom and authenticity in order to capture the essence of Polish estrada music and to provide a comparison with popular music produced in other countries"-- Provided by publisher.