Recommended Music

Three New Books About the Music Industry Worth Reading

I’m always looking for new books about the music industry, both non-fiction and fiction.  Let’s start with the former.

For years, Hit Men, Frederic Dannen’s book on payola and corruption in the music and radio industry has been required reading.  A new updated edition will be available May 5.  Billboard has this excerpt featuring the story of a war involving Meat Loaf that has dragged on for thirty-five years.

Frederic Dannen - Hit Men

If you’re of a certain age, you’ll remember Music Express, a publication that was essentially Canada’s answer to Rolling Stone.  Keith Sharp–you’ll remember him from the mag–has publishing Music Express: The Rise, Fall and Resurrection of Canada’s Magazine.  I’m really looking forward to this one. (Via FYI Music)

Keith Sharp - Music Express

 

And if you’re looking for some spring/summer fiction reading, try Wonderkids, the story of a British band’s rise through the music industry in an, ahem, unusual way. I’m about halfway through it now.

Wesley Sage - Wonderkids

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

Alan Cross has 39147 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross

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