Final answer:
After 1974, a variety of musicians, including folk and pop singers like Bob Dylan, began performing political songs that opposed the guerrilla war. This was part of a broader cultural shift where popular culture reflected political sentiments, with protest art and music becoming instrumental in expressing opposition to the war and societal issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
Musical Responses to Political Unrest
After 1974, many musicians across various genres began performing political songs expressing their opposition to the guerrilla war, contributing to the popular culture of the time. While folk singers like Peter, Paul and Mary, and Joan Baez initially led with their lyrical protests, they were soon joined by pop singers such as Barry McGuire, Phil Ochs, and Bob Dylan. Dylan's anti-war songs, such as 'A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall' and 'Masters of War', were particularly influential and gained him recognition as a voice of the anti-war movement by activists.
The political upheaval and societal issues that characterized the American 1960s, including the Vietnam War, civil rights struggles, and the Cold War, fueled a surge in protest art and music. This reflected a larger trend where American popular culture began to mirror its political culture, seeing a shift away from the optimism of the late '60s, further emphasizing the role of artists and musicians in both reflecting and shaping the national conversation on these critical issues.
Furthermore, groups like the Guerrilla Girls in the 1980s utilized protest art to challenge societal norms, specifically targeting sexism and racism within the art world. Despite not being involved with the music scene, their actions underscore the widespread nature of protest across cultural expressions during these eras.