Customer Reviews

Record Makers and Breakers: Voices of the Independent Rock 'n' Roll Pioneers (Music in American Life)

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John Broven's groundbreaking book, Record Makers and Breakers, meticulously and colorfully traces the history of the men (mostly) who created the independent record labels which spawned the careers of Elvis Presley, Muddy Waters, Fats Domino, Little Richard and a myriad of other r&r pioneers. If it weren't for these clever and ambitious music hustlers, it's doubtful that there would have been the Beatles or the Rolling Stones, not to mention hundreds of other later groups. They were inspired by the now legendary sounds crated by these little known entrepreneurs in New York, L.A., Memphis and Chicago.

Broven combines fascinating excerpts from years of interviews with these record giants with an equally compelling historical background. The vintage photos are alone worth the modest price of this extremely well-researched book...they document an important era in American popular culture and one which has largely disappeared. Any one with more than just a passing interest in the history and origins or rock 'n roll and certainly every avid record collector should buy this book. It's a real national treasure..no exaggeration.

It has been a while coming but this book, the third by John Broven, is well worth the wait. John's previous two books are `Walking To New Orleans' (American title `Rhythm & Blues In New Orleans') and the definitive and not bettered history of swamp pop music `South To Louisiana'. However, with his latest achievement, he has come up with a masterpiece, literally the holy grail of the story of the `backroom boys' in the formative days of rock `n' roll music.

This is the story of the people who, whilst not sharing the same degree of limelight as the performers, nevertheless played a crucial role in the launch of rock `n' roll in its formative years and then who aided its continued existence, despite the efforts of the main establishment. To say that they were key important people is an understatement. This could have been a dry and sleep inducing story but, as related by the author, it consistently retains spontaneity and the interest never flags. Indeed, it is a hard to put down journey once commenced.

John Broven has, over the course of time, interviewed the key players such as Ahmet Ertegun and Miriam Bienstock of Atlantic Records, Sam Phillips of Sun Records, Joe Bihari of Modern records and Art Rupe of Specialty Records to name but a few. Indeed, the interview with Ahmet is thought to be the last he gave prior to his unfortunate demise. But that is not all, as John has talked to such as disc jockies/promoters like Bill `Hoss' Allen of WLAC, Nashville, songwriters like Paul Evans, recording engineers such as Cosimo Matassa, music publishers Gene Goodman and Freddy Bienstock. On top of this, also considered are distributors, one-stop and juke box operators. But there is more as there then is the in-depth and extensive research undertaken by John that reveals too many to list nuggets of information. Truly, this book comes across as a labour of love but one that has appeal to all, whether they have a casual interest in the development of rock `n' roll or are out and out record collecting die-hards. The style of writing is easy to read, consistently entertaining and never less than informative. Indeed, at times, the text comes across as a real life gripping thriller.

Clearly a lot of thought has gone into the structure of the book. Part One is titled `The Independent Revolution' and provides the background to the role played by the Independents basically from the end of the second world war to the onslaught of music that was the avalanche of rock `n' roll. The second part is titled `Regional Sounds' and
as the name implies undertakes a look at the various geographical centres and their importance in this story. For example, the chapter on Nashville features the development of radio as a launch pad, and includes pieces on Excello Records, Dot Records and the numerous characters who all helped rock `n' roll to come from birth as a squalling baby through to a multi million dollar industry. This part also has chapters on Chess/Checker/Argo Records and the brothers Chess who launched their empire up north in Chicago, King/Federal/De Luxe Queen/Bethlehem out of Cincinnati, Ohio and the inimitable likes of Henry Stone and Syd Nathan. The next chapter then comes south to Memphis and Louisiana and includes the results of interviews with Sam Phillips, whom as I know from my own conversations with the gentleman, was erudite on the growth of rock `n' roll, blues, R&B, and country music in the Memphis region. Also featured are Joe Bihari, Rosco Gordon, Lillian McMurray of Trumpet Records and Stan Lewis. The last mentioned is especially important as he often is by-passed when great record men from this region are considered. The concluding chapter for this section ventures even further south down to Crowley (the legendary J D Miller - another person who I have been fortunate to meet and can therefore endorse John's writings), Eddie Shuler of Goldband Records, recording engineer Cosimo Matassa in the Crescent City and many others.

On to part three and which is headed up `The Hustle Is On'. As the title implies, this deals with the various strategies and hustles that many in the record industry developed and adopted to `make a buck'. It also covers the importance of magazines such as Billboard and Cash Box. This section then goes on to discuss Hy Weiss of Old Town Records and the way in which he hustled for hits. I found this story particularly fascinating as Hy comes across as a person one could not help liking, even despite on occasion debatable business methods. From here we go onto Mercury and Roulette Records, and interviews with Luigi Creatore, Jean Bennett (who I can personally vouch is a charming lady), Shelby Singleton and a cast of hundreds. This section also explores the importance of the part played by music publishers. This is the biggest section of the book and actively explores all the various facets of the methods adopted to turn a record into a hit. Fascinating stuff and often bought a wry smile to my face as I read on. Author Broven features an extensive interview with the late Roquel `Billy' Davis, and this covers the near complete history of rock `n' roll. Furthermore, Davis was a principal player in the groundwork for the empire that became Tamla Motown. This guy was involved in and saw it all. Absolutely first rate material. This part also goes over to the west coast and, amongst others, details the Champs `Tequila' story and the part played by Dave Burgess, another important character in this evolutionary story. As the balance to the R&B influences, author Broven also views the very important country influences in the rise and rise of rock `n' roll. Some amazing facts are revealed in this portion. This part concludes with three chapters on the New York scene and this is more that justified if one considers that at the time frame we are considering, NYC was the centre of the music business.

Part Four, `Rock `n' Roll Is Here To Stay' focuses on the rise of London American Records and the story of Sir Edward Lewis, head of (UK) Decca and its subsidiary labels. London American was the label for licensing American recordings for release in various countries throughout the world. Thus it played no small part in spreading the rock `n' roll word (as well as turning a healthy profit for all concerned).

This evolves into the rise of the teen singers and labels such as Chancellor, Cameo Parkway and Jamie/Guyden. Logically, this is where the importance of Dick Clark and American Bandstand is discussed and then continues on to the Payola scandal . Clark comes out of it relatively unscathed. This section concludes with Art Rupe of Specialty Records and his staff instruction manual written in the mid-fifties. john Broven rightly declares this as the modus operandi for independent record makers. Wonderful stuff and is truly revealing.

In Part Five of the book are the various Appendices which are numerous but include sections on US Record sales in the period 1921-1969, a summary of various post war record labels including current owners and biographical data on selected record makers.

There you have it. Hopefully, I have been able to convey, in these few words, the enjoyment and knowledge that this book bought to myself. It will undoubtedly appeal to anyone who has an interest in our musical past. Moreover, it is the most important book on rock `n' roll music that has been written in more than a decade. The book is now on its second reprint and has met with acclaim from many, including quite a few of the interviewees who have been grateful that their views have been expressed without manipulation. Essential for every book shelf and as the late great Gene Vincent was heard to exclaim, `Git It.....'

© Tony Wilkinson
May 2009.

The author obviously has been minutely familiar withn the subject for years. He has meticulously and exhaustively put together an almost encyclopedic book, with appendices, coming to almost 600 pages. Therein lies my slight problem with awarding the work 5 stars as have the other reviewers. It's, for me, almost overwhelmingly too much to absorb. There are so many people described and so many anecdotes related it can almost cause brain shutdown. That's not to suggest that the book should have been condensed or edited down. But, I consider readability to be an important factor. And,to me, at least I found this not too particularly reader friendly, from the perspective of getting to the finish line. In my view a book may have good original research and fine general content. But if the pages are hard to turn it loses something. Further, let me say this, that the topic very much interests me. Particularly going back to the late 40's-mid 50's r&b. But getting thru this book was almost like plowing thru a mathematics text. Nevertheless, I willed myself to keep reading till I was finished. The author traces the business from the early days of 78rpm records to the 45rpm breakthru and introduction of the long playing record. It tells how early on the juke box operators very much controlled things. Then the small independent labels and record pressers came into play. Many of them started and run by entrepreneurial eastern european Jews. Those were the days when there were small record stores on almost every corner many of them having much influence with their customers. Some even had live dj's playing on the air from the premises. Some had recording studios in back rooms on site. We even learn that Jesse Jackson was trying to stir up the racial pot against Chess Records. Saying that since they sold to black people black people should be running the company. The Disc Jockeys and Distributors became key players in breaking out the hit records. Pay to play payola reared it's head. And it wasn't just cash. They often wanted publishing rights, part ownership of record companies and had financial interest in some artists, touring shows and even nightclubs. Today, the record pioneers are pretty much gone. As are the ma 'n pop record stores and even the megastores like Tower and Virgin as we move into the digital age. Most of the small companies that survived have been sold to mega conglomerate corporations. This book well documents an important period in the evolution of popular music. So if you're up for the undertaking. Get it. But, be prepared at the onset that it may take a major committment to get to the end.

Probably for as long as anyone still cares about its subject, John Broven's book will remain the definitive study of the independent labels that gave rise to rhythm & blues and rock & roll.

RECORD MAKERS AND BREAKERS draws upon a vast trove of careful research and is written in a concise but lively style; throughout its 400-plus pages, Broven effectively "connects the dots" between the performers, songwriters, label entrepreneurs, pressing plants, publishing houses, and radio DJs that comprised the fervid indie-label scene, especially in the crucial period 1945-1960. I thought I knew a lot about this field already but this book introduced me (in absorbing detail) to a number of significant but little-remembered figures ranging from Clark Galehouse of Golden Crest Records to Sir Edward Lewis, founder of Decca Records UK. Bravo, Broven!

I'll admit up front that I've been waiting for this book ever since I knew it was on its way. The story of how the indie record industry grew, the men and women involved in it and what it achieved is one that has often been told in part but, until now, has never had the benefit of a cohesive overview. I also knew that the author, John Broven, a man with a fifty year track record of getting it right would be just the person to tell it. I was right, but little did I know just how right I was.

This book is simply superb. John has interviewed -literally- hundreds of people who were involved the industry, not just the record company people but the Cash Box and Billboard journalists, the disc jockeys, the pluggers and just about everyone else he could get to. So this book is filled with those rare birds, fresh information and new insight. I've been watching this scene myself since 1963 but the moment I opened it, the book told me stuff I didn't know. The story of Mimi Trepel, for instance, the woman who, essentially, made sure that we in the UK got a decent slab of music on the London-American label. The guys at the trade papers and how they saw Rhythm and Blues grow. The very moment at which the term "Rhythm and Blues" was coined, and by whom, is nailed down.

John has spoken to surviving members of the families and teams behind such legendary labels as Chess, Modern, Sun, Fire Motown and more, right down to the street level Detroit JVB company. He notes how the juke box and radio industries influenced the development of not just R&B but also Hillbilly; it's a tale told so often, how rock and roll grew from black and white roots music, that we've grown almost tired of it, but here its presented straight from the mouths of the horses who ran the course, aided and abetted by John's masterful connecting texts.

And then there's the photos, dozens of them, all vintage, most I had not seen before and some that just made me gasp. Rockabilly fans; did you ever think you'd see a picture of Charlie Feathers in the Meteor studios the day he cut "Tongue Tied Jill"? It's here.

There are several useful and well researched indices, a ton of annotated notes, a very full and accurate index and almost 600 pages of blimey-I-didn't know-that fax'n'info to keep you enthralled. It's a keeper, and perhaps already I can say it's a classic, a text book that will stand the test of time the way, say, Paul Oliver's "Conversation with the Blues" has. Get it. Now.

Other than putting emphasis on his father-in-law, Clark Galehouse, Broven gets to the "nitty gritty" of the real independent record manufactuers in America. From the Renes and Mesners to the Chesses and Biharis to Art Rupe, (Arthur Goldberg), Lew Chudd, Herman Lubinsky, Syd Nathan, Ahmet Ertegun, Jerry Wexler and the long unheralded Bobby Robinson. Broven must have spent coutless hours on interviews and research to author this great effort in America's Record Industry. From Irving Green and Burle Adams at Mercury to Eli Oberstein and Joe Carlton at RCA; he goes into great detail quoting George Avakian on the battle of the 45 RPM vs. the 33 1/3 LP. This is a must in any music historian's library. He not only goes into manufactuers but distribution as well, thus the Milt Salistone's and Jerry Blaine's and Paul Glass's are not forgotten. A thorough researcher and to be commended for same.Expensive but worth the money, especially Ahmet Ertegun's tale of discouraging Bobby Robinson to release: "Kansas City".If you really want to learn the history of the now obsolete or defunct independent record business; start here!

All I can say is that for anyone interested in the early days of Rock & Roll music,this book is a must have.The author knows his stuff and most of it came right from the horses mouth....the people in the business who lived it and were in the know.Mr. Broven had already written 2 excellent books on the subject,but this one is even better yet!
Can't wait for his next one!

Still reading this epic on the Independent movers and shakers. Fantastic resource for anyone studying American music history.

I knew someting about this topic before I read this book , but I was not prepared for how thorough and interesting this book was going to be. Totally blown away. So well researched and presented. Learned so much I did not know. Very well documented with footnotes. I took copious notes while reading it. Beautifully written as well. My only regret is that I could not have sat in with the author when he was interviewing these great independent record makers. I'm envious. My highest recommendation, and a book that was highly recommended to me by the world's biggest Doo Wop collector.

Extremely important study of the record men behind the 50's indie labels and the rise of R&B, country and rock'n'roll. Characters like Old Town's Hy Weiss, End/Gone's George Goldner, RPM/Modern's Bihari Brothers, et al are finally given their due in this well researched look at the birth of the record industry.