The ultimate illustrated history of rock & roll--comprehensive, authoritative, and fully updated with coverage of the most important new sounds and artists of the 1980s and `90s.
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The ultimate illustrated history of rock & roll--comprehensive, authoritative, and fully updated with coverage of the most important new sounds and artists of the 1980s and `90s.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
78 of 82 people found the following review helpful
By Zettel
Format:Paperback
This history of Rock and Roll comes from Rolling Stone, one of the biggest and longest-lasting names in Rock reporting and coverage. It is truly a mixed bag, ranging anywhere from great historical content to outright howlers.
First, the book does an excellent job of covering the entirety of rock history and drawing out its influences and evolutions. It does a wonderful job of covering the different local scenes and how they were integrated in with the whole of rock music. Whole chapters are generally rewarded to the most influential bands, and not just those that sold more album.
However, the book suffers a number of strong drawbacks. First, as many pointed out, the book is clearly slanted toward the Rolling Stone perspective. Artists such as Billy Joel, who have not had good relations with the magazine, have been omitted. Several others, such as Bob Seger, were also given no treatment. There is also a bit of redundent content, such as giving the Beatles two whole chapters and then devoting a third (British Invasion) to a primarily Beatles-related topic. Also, there are separate chapters on Motown and Stevie Wonder.
Secondly, the book is often skewed toward the "pop" scene when it comments on more current acts. Rolling Stone has been getting even worse about this in its magazine. One particular example that stands out is in the heavy metal section. My edition was published in 1991 and the writer heaps load and loads of praise upon such hair-metal acts as Motley Crue, Poison, Ratt and Warrant. Other, more talented but less popular metal acts, such as Metallica, are put down and summarily dismissed. However, we all know that if this were to have been written 5 years later, Rolling Stone would be worshipping Metallica and praising them for destroying such hair-bands. RS makes the mistake of "going with the flow" one too many times.
Overall - nice book, but with some obvious problems.
34 of 42 people found the following review helpful
By GBS
Format:Paperback
Rolling Stone has been around reporting on rock music for nearly 35 years. That longevity only earns them stripes, but not exactly the monker of expert.
RS editors - in all fairness like most journalists - have an agenda, and accuracy and fairness in rock isn't exactly one of them. One writer (below) asked why Billy Joel was snubbed. Simple; RS and Joel have publically feuded for years so as far as RS is concerned, one of rock's greatest acts (and an inductee to the Rock Hall of Fame) doesn't exist. In the rock world according to Jann Wenner, there is no greater act in rock history than the Rolling Stones. They're certainly a bellweather act in rock history, but not "the greatest"...but that's how RS sees it, and apparently so should history.
So take what they say with a grain of salt, enjoy it for what it is (their fave-raves, as valid as the Listmania right here on Amazon) - cuz after all, it's only rock and roll.
14 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By Val
Format:Paperback
Good writing, great photos - but lacks the last 20 years
(and sooooo many of the legendary bands).
Get Pierre Scaruffi's history of rock'n'roll.
Much more indepth and covers up to 2000
(also rap, glitch, post-rock, drum'n'bass...
all missing from RS)
RS is ok for beginners.
(and sooooo many of the legendary bands).
Get Pierre Scaruffi's history of rock'n'roll.
Much more indepth and covers up to 2000
(also rap, glitch, post-rock, drum'n'bass...
all missing from RS)
RS is ok for beginners.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
not bad
a bit ponderous and quite opinionated but some interesting facts about music and the development of rock and roll from the beginning until today.
Published 1 month ago by steve h
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Rolling Stones Illustrated History of Rock and Roll
I loaned this book to a radio DJ friend from The Day. He loved it so much will use it for reference on his radio show. I will order another copy for myself. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Gail Edney
5.0 out of 5 stars
Everything you need.
The book was full of informational and accurate historical stuff. Gret book for college classes. It is thick and heavy though.
Published 2 months ago by chris giuliano
5.0 out of 5 stars
History of Rock
Great supplement to our history of rock home school class. It is very interesting and would be great to use as a textbook or for the rock enthusiast to read for pleasure.
Published 4 months ago by Wendy Webb
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dude!
I bought this for my 12 year old son. He carries it everywhere and won't shut up about it. He asked questions nonstop at first. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Word from the Bird
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good resource!
It it a very helpful resource for teaching my History of Rock and Roll Class! It is great to be able to give specific information om almost everything Rock and Roll!
Published 7 months ago by SCtrumpet1127
3.0 out of 5 stars
Law of Diminishing Returns
I have owned all three editions of this book (1976, 1980, 1992). Unfortunately, I found that the quality of the publication has decreased with eached edition. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Sean Mitchell
4.0 out of 5 stars
A slice of history but..... the commentary has changrd.
This is an amazing collection of photographs! I read a copy in 1978 and the caption under the photo of Lloyd Price and his dad said "they don't make jackets like Lloyd's anymore" (... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Rob Cherrie
1.0 out of 5 stars
The Rolling Stone Illustrated History of Rock and Roll
I was expecting more from this book then I received. It's highly buttered with opinions and speculations. Further research showed several inaccuracies in this book. Read more
Published 15 months ago by kcleverly
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book to learn about past music legends
One of those good coffee table books, big and thick. Great to leaf through and read about some of your facorite music heros.
Published 15 months ago by The Bades
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 54
books:
See all 54 books this book cites
1
book
cites this book:
- Candle in the Wind by Elton John on page 529, page 530, and Back Matter
- Paul Simon: There Goes Rhymin' Simon (Paul Simon/Simon & Garfunkel) by Paul Simon on page 321, and page 322
- Who's Sorry Now? by Connie Francis on page 110, and page 111
- Somebody to Love?: A Rock-and-Roll Memoir by Grace Slick on page 379, and page 380
- Take Me to the River by Al Green on page 513, and page 556
See all 54 books this book cites
- Reconstructing Pop/Subculture: Art, Rock, and Andy Warhol by Van M. Cagle in Back Matter
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