Who built the music industry? 5 books for record label history heads
Interested in the rise and demise of the “big” labels, or the individuals that made the industry go round? Here are 5 books that explore the gritty history of the music business.
Cowboys and Indies: The epic history of the record industry
Written by Irish author Gareth Murphy, the book explores all of the mavericks and moguls that shaped the music industry. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this, and it is a must for anyone wanting to learn about the golden ages of the record label. Mentioning top figures such as Chris Blackwell, John Hammond, Berry Gordy and Geoff Travis, who discovered some of the most iconic bands and artists of all time, the book is jam packed with history, but is a very accessible read. I remember this having no difficult jargon or holier than thou attitude that can be present in many music business books - it is simply a fascinating venture into how the ambitions and actions of very few people shaped the industry as we know it.
lightning striking: ten transformative moments in rock and roll
This book is an insider’s take on the evolution and enduring legacy of the music that defined the rock industry in the 20th century. Written by Lenny Kaye, the author explores ten crossroads of time. From Elvis Presley’s Memphis, to the Beatles’ Liverpool, the book serves as a snapshot into the top 10 cities that were bursting with music.
rock bottom: a music writer’s journey into madness
This is a very personal insight into one man’s experience in the heart of the industry. It follows Michael Odell, a journalist who has just interviewed Mick Jaggar and Keith Richards, navigate the chaos of the industry whilst he struggles with depression. Humourous, honest and shocking, Odell does not hold back. You won’t find a more candid insight into this era of the music industry (and you might not want to).
the final days of EMI: Selling the pig
A book I haven’t read yet, this appears to be an interesting but unforgiving insight into the final huzzah of one of the record industry’s biggest forces: “The Beatles. The Beach Boys. Blur, Bowie, Kylie Minogue, Kate Bush and Coldplay. EMI was one of the big four record companies, with some of the biggest names in the history of recorded music on its roster. Dominating the music industry for over 100 years, by 2010 EMI Group had reported massive pre-tax losses. The group was divided up and sold in 2011. How could one of the greatest recording companies of the 20th century have ended like this?
With interviews from insiders and music industry experts, Eamonn Forde pieces together the tragic end to a financial juggernaut and a cultural institution in forensic detail. The Final Days of EMI: Selling the Pig is the story of the British recording industry, laid bare in all its hubris and glory”
Factory: the story of the record label
Another read I haven’t got to, but this book is an account of Mick Middles’ exploration into the rise and fall of Factory records, which was arguably the most powerful independent label of all time. “Factory Records' fame and fortune were based on two bands - Joy Division and New Order - and one personality - that of its director, Tony Wilson. At the height of the label's success in the late 1980s, it ran its own club, the legendary Haçienda, had a string of international hit records, and was admired and emulated around the world. But by the 1990s the story had changed. The back catalogue was sold off, top bands New Order and Happy Mondays were in disarray, and the Haçienda was shut down by the police”
