Created in 1979in New York City by Kathy Frank of Trouser Press Magazine and Michael Masucci of Alan Kaplan Studios, RAR-USA was the North American extension of a movement which began in the U.K. three years earlier. In Britain, bands like The Clash and the Tom Robinson Band helped recreate a political movement within the rock and roll community. This evolved punk rock from a purely anarchic expression to a targeted political agenda.

 In New York City legendary rock clubs like Max's Kansas City quickly supported Frank and Masucci's efforts by providing the proceeds from every Wednesday night for a year to RAR-USA's project. Famed Chicago Seven attorney William Kunsler provided pro bono services and for two years literally fought city hall and won. In two efforts by City Parks officials who planned to thwart the presentation of a free open air concert in Central Park, attorney Kunsler took the city to court in 1979 and 1980 and won for the people of New York the ability to use their own park for shows again.

 At a time when "safety" was the buzz word within the music industry and controversy was something feared and distrusted, RAR both here and abroad sought to raise the consciousness of young people who were being inundated with neo-conservative and daresay neo-fascist ideology. In the suburbs of Michigan teenage Nazis marched freely and in the streets of Georgia they did the same. RAR-USA stood as a visible counter to these alternative youth activities.