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"The Armageddon Rag" is a novel written by George R. R. Martin, published in 1983. The book revolves around the story of Sandy Blair, a former journalist, who is asked to investigate the murder of a rock music promoter who was associated with the band he used to manage, the Nazgul. The band, which had a cult following in the 1960s, disbanded after a tragic event that occurred during one of their concerts. Blair, who was once a member of the counterculture movement, finds himself revisiting his past as he delves deeper into the mystery.The novel is set in the late 1970s, in the aftermath of the counterculture movement of the 1960s. The story is told from the perspective of Sandy Blair, a middle-aged man who has lost touch with his idealistic roots. Through his character, Martin explores the disillusionment and cynicism that emerged in the aftermath of the movement's failure to achieve its lofty goals.One of the major themes of the novel is the clash between the counterculture movement and mainstream America. The Nazgul, the band that Sandy Blair used to manage, was at the forefront of the movement, advocating for peace, love, and social justice. However, their idealism was ultimately crushed by the forces of mainstream America, and the band members went their separate ways. The novel explores the lingering bitterness and regret that this defeat left in the hearts of those who were involved.The novel also explores the idea of the "death of the sixties." The counterculture movement of the 1960s was a time of great social upheaval and change, but it was ultimately crushed by the forces of the status quo. The novel explores the idea that the movement was doomed from the start, as its ideals were never fully embraced by mainstream America. Martin suggests that the death of the sixties marked the end of an era, and the beginning of a new, more cynical age.Another major theme of the novel is the power of music. The Nazgul, like many real-life rock bands of the 1960s, used their music as a means of expressing their political and social ideals. The novel suggests that music has the power to bring people together and inspire change. However, it also acknowledges the limitations of music, as the Nazgul ultimately failed to achieve their goals through their music.The novel is also notable for its use of the supernatural. As Sandy Blair delves deeper into the mystery of the murder, he begins to experience strange and unexplainable events. The novel suggests that there may be some supernatural force at work, manipulating events to achieve its own ends. However, the novel leaves it up to the reader to decide whether these events are truly supernatural, or simply the product of Blair's overactive imagination.Overall, "The Armageddon Rag" is a powerful exploration of the counterculture movement of the 1960s, and the impact that it had on American society. Martin's characters are well-drawn and complex, and his prose is evocative and atmospheric. The novel is both a gripping mystery and a meditation on the meaning of the counterculture movement, and its legacy in contemporary America.