This thesis argues that between 1967 and 1983 the music press became increasingly embroiled in extra-musical, social and cultural issues. The music press provided an arena for editors, journalists, musicians and readers to debate social mores. This has gone unnoticed in the existing historiography. The music press - which was conventionally assumed to favour 'permissiveness' - hosted a variety of different moral viewpoints that challenge our understanding of conversations on social mores from 1967-1983. Bringing the music press to the fore of historical analysis in this period illustrates that British moral discourse was complex, fragmented and drew from a variety of narratives from the conservative to the radical. The thesis examines how moral debates emerged in the late-1960s' music press and then investigates the most salient themes that elicited discussions. These themes include youthful rebellion and generational divisions, sex, sexuality, drug use, gender, anti-racism, violent transgression, urban decay and alienation. The thesis analyses how these themes were narrated in the music press and identifies multiple viewpoints were articulated in reference to other tensions that affected moral conversations, such as the music press's commercial concerns and journalistic styles. It recognises that the music press gave journalists, musicians and readers considerable scope to express their views. Thus the music press is a unique source for gauging the sentiments and proclivities of youth, music subcultures, the press and music industry.