@Brian Peters. Sounds like an interesting project. My "conned or unintentionally misled" was the range of possibilities on the pessimistic side - conned relating to 'fakes' and the concept of a 'culture industry' as mentioned up the thread.

On the positive side I am just re-reading the sleeve notes on the first few LPs I bought (second hand) in the late 60's. From what I have since learned I don't feel misled but I can see some differences in approach.

(rest of post saved for if/when the discussion comes back that way)