"Payola is simply another word for bribery," claims Segrave, while pointing out that few songs are performed in public or receive air time and that fewer still become hits. Thus, it becomes a grave necessity for promoters to grease the skids. This book, by the author of Drive-In Theaters: A History from Their Inception in 1933 ( LJ 1/93), traces the history of payola, its development, the attempts at regulating and legislating it, and its practitioners. Notes are divided by chapter, and the index lists songs, people, organizations, and more. Much of the information here is derived from newspapers and magazines like Variety . The result, however, is not a rehash but a well-documented account that should interest a wide range of readers. Highly recommended for music collections.
- Ina M. Wise, Daley Community Coll. Lib., Chicago
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Library Journal
"a well-documented account that should interest a wide range of readers"
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