Rhythm and the Blues: A Life in American Music [Paperback]

Jerry Wexler (Author), David Ritz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1994

Atlantic Records partner and producer, Wexler presided over the evolution of the modern music business and made prodigious contributions through to our cultural history. Wexler has worked with the entire range of American genius: Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, and others. 75 photographs.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Veteran record producer Wexler, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member who coined the term "rhythm and blues," spent the Depression as an adolescent in the Washington Heights section of New York City, hanging out in pool halls, hunting for rare records, hungering for excitement. Wexler took journalism courses at a college in Kansas but spent years as a window washer in Manhattan. After a stint in the wartime Army, he joined the staff of Billboard. In 1952 he became a partner in Ahmed Ertegun's Atlantic Records, recording such jazz, blues and folk greats as Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Solomon Burke, Joe Turner, Betty Carter, the Drifters, Etta James and Bob Dylan. This spirited memoir, written with freelancer Ritz, crackles with career highlights and swings breezily through five decades of record-making, focusing especially on the 1950s and 1960s. Readers will enjoy accounts of Wexler's seminal encounters with gifted musicians, but they may wish for deeper development of this hip-merchant's life story. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Any fan of American popular music over the last four decades has heard the work of Jerry Wexler. As producer for such artists as Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, and Dire Straits, Wexler never pandered to the latest craze in the music business but crafted adult-oriented records that sound as current today as they did when they were recorded. While anything but humble, Wexler does not gloss over his shortcomings. Bad business deals, personal feuds, and a troubled family life receive as much attention as his phenomenal success as producer and co-owner of Atlantic Records. The forces behind his love of music and will to succeed are vividly outlined in the section on his early years as a pot-smoking jazz hound in Depression-era New York. This lively book succeeds on many levels and belongs in every library where there is an interest in popular culture.
- Dan Bogey, Clearfield Cty. P.L. Federation, Curwensville, Pa.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 334 pages
• Publisher: St Martins Pr (October 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312113765
• ISBN-13: 978-0312113766
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,180,498 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars music fan as record exec: good idea, April 29, 2000

By 

David J Matthews - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rhythm and the Blues: A Life in American Music (Paperback)

In-between the archetypes of musician-as-record- exec (as in Berry Gordy) and evil-incarnate-as-record-exec (as in The Geffen and progeny) is the fan-as-record-exec. Atlantic is the greatest example of a record company run by fans. With top-flight soul/R&B, jazz, and rock divisions, Atlantic beats Sun and Chess for the title of "History's greatest independent label." Jerry Wexler's colorfully logomaniacal verbiage tells of the view from the air up there. The personal history detailed in this book isn't to be skipped, either. Not nearly outshined by the magical music history that attracts us to this book, the life lived by the author helps make this stuff such a good and quick read. There's something to be felt there. Read. Look for Ahmet Ertegun's entry on the subject, coming in May 2000.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read, January 15, 2002

By 

Justin Henderson (Huntsville, AL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rhythm And The Blues: A Life in American Music (Hardcover)

If you are a music lover, industry hopeful, or history buff, this book will give you an honest, down to earth, fireside story of one very important man's life in the business. The manner in which he chooses to tell his story is an in depth, straight forward approach which keeps you wanting to continue to the next chapter. When it is all said and done, you feel as if you knew Wex throughout his journey and understand his joy in the career path he chose and just what he has accomplished. As a music business student, this was an inspiring, thought provoking read. Find this book, and enjoy.

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth the purchase..., November 28, 2007

By 

Caldutti (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rhythm And The Blues: A Life in American Music (Hardcover)

just for the chapter on Brother Ray - Great stories - No holds barred account of the great days of Atlantic Records - If you like R&B than you will want to get this book