Jukeboxes: An American Social History [Paperback]

Kerry Segrave (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 11, 2002 | ISBN-10: 0786411813 | ISBN-13: 978-0786411818

This work traces the history of the jukebox from its origins in the invention of the phonograph by Thomas Alva Edison in the 1880s up to its relative obscurity in the year 2000. The jukebox's first twenty years were essentially experimental because of the low technical quality and other limitations. It then practically disappeared for a quarter-century, beaten out by the player piano as the coin-operated music machine of choice. But then, new and improved, it reemerged and quickly spread in popularity across America, largely as a result of the repeal of Prohibition and the increased number of bars around the nation. Other socially important elements of the jukebox's development are also covered: it played patriotic tunes during wartime and, located in youth centers, entertained young people and kept them out of "trouble." The industry's one last fling due to a healthy export trade is also covered, and the book rounds out with the decline in the 1950s and the fadeout into obscurity. Richly illustrated.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Social historian Segrave (Shoplifting: A Social History) provides the first detailed investigation of jukeboxes from their inception to the present day. Starting with Thomas Edison's invention of the phonograph in 1878, he chronicles the development of the first primitive jukebox in 1889 and its quick eclipse by the player piano for nearly 25 years. He continues with the amazing resurgence of jukeboxes in the 1930s with the repeal of prohibition and the refinement of the sound quality of phonographs. The author describes the heyday of the jukebox culture from 1934 to 1948, when people danced to more than 350,000 jukeboxes in local grills, youth centers, and taverns, and deals with a stable jukebox industry in the 1950s, when companies such as Wurlitzer and Seeberg exported their music machines around the world. Segrave ends with the decline of jukeboxes by the 1960s, when fast-food chains replaced local diners, televisions appeared in bars, and people listened instead to long-play records and the more mobile transistor radio. Relying heavily on Billboard as a source, the author offers a fact-filled, very focused study that will appeal primarily to academics. Dave Szatmary, Univ. of Washington, Seattle
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review

"A wealth of information...fascinating" -- History: Reviews of New Books

"Interesting...detailed...a fantastic job...fascinating...engrossing jukebox industry history" -- Game Room

"Interesting...fascinating!" -- Communication Booknotes Quarterly

"The first detailed investigation of jukeboxes...a fact-filled, very focused study" -- Library Journal

"Three appendices and detailed notes are helpful, as are the numerous illustrations...interesting...fascinating topic" -- Choice

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 381 pages
• Publisher: McFarland & Company (February 11, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786411813
• ISBN-13: 978-0786411818
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,261,450 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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