Showing titles in History & Criticism

A leading music journalist’s riveting chronicle of how beloved band Pearl Jam shaped the times, and how their legacy and longevity have transcended generations. Ever since Pearl Jam first blasted onto the Seattle grunge scene three decades ago with their debut album, Ten, they have sold 85M+...

A candid autobiography of the great rock diva of Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship, revealing her wild life at the forefront of the Sixties and Seventies counterculture. She has been called rock and roll's original female outlaw, as famous for her bad behavior as for her haunting singing...

Miles to Go is a frank and intimate exploration of Miles Davis' eccentric working life, drug habits, paranoia, depression, and subsequent recovery. Murphy explores Davis' troubled relationship with his children and the controversial role Cicely Tyson played in his life. The book also delves into the dynamics that made Davis' band work so well together, placing Davis' work in a historic, literary, and musical framework.

Can a nation spend lavishly on music and still fail to develop a musical voice of its own? In Music, American composer and critic Deems Taylor takes a sharp, often humorous look at the state of American musical culture in the early twentieth century. Taylor argues that the United States has...

Pop music didn't begin with the Beatles in 1963, or with Elvis in 1956, or even with the first seven-inch singles in 1949. There was a pre-history that went back to the first recorded music, right back to the turn of the 20th century . . . Let's Do It is the first book to tell the definitive story of the birth of pop, from the invention of the 78 rpm record at the end of the 19th century to the beginnings of rock and the modern pop age.

'This is the greatest rock and roll book ever written' GUY GARVEY, Elbow 'A brilliant storyteller, Clint has been there to see it all first-hand' TIM BURGESS, The Charlatans 'Clint writes like he speaks and plays; as one who knows' JOHNNY MARR, The Smiths 'Clint knows it all, has done it all'...

OVER THE LAST SEVEN DECADES, one of rock 'n' roll's most celebrated figureheads have flirted with the imagery and theater of the Third Reich. From Keith Moon and Vivian Stanshall kitting themselves out in Nazi uniforms to Siouxsie Sioux and Sid Vicious brandishing swastikas in the pomp of punk...

In the tradition of Just Kids and Our Band Could Be Your Life, Ronen Givony's Us v. Them chronicles the generation of young artists who came to Brooklyn in the mid-2000s: a small but seismic scene that coalesced under a billionaire mayor, a series of forever wars, and a music industry in free...

A preeminent Harvard professor and poetry expert explains the artistry—and the celebrity—of Taylor Swift “This is an outstanding look at one of the world’s most beloved entertainers.”―Kirkus (starred) Taylor Swift has become a peerless superstar, ceaselessly productive and...

A glimpse into the creative power of music. Ever since the Beatles British Invasion, numerous rock bands and singers have created albums that still have many fans love and devotion today. Was it raw talent, or was there something below the surface that transformed these dreamers into Hollywood...

Popmusik der späten 70er und 80er war mehr als Soundtrack – sie war Gefühl, Schutzraum, Identität. Und doch wussten wir kaum, wie diese Platten entstanden. In „Der Sound unserer Jugend. Und was wir damals nicht wussten" nimmt Jörg Hackeschmidt seine Leser mit in eine Zeit, in der man mit Freunden über Songs sprach und alles in sie hineinlegte. Er erzählt persönlich und präzise, was hinter dem neuen Klang steckte: Studio-Tricks, Produzenten, Texte – vom Phil-Collins-Drum-Sound bis zu ABC, Madonna oder Sade.

Feel the heartbeat of cultural history in this captivating musical journey from ancient rituals to stadium concerts. Far more than a technical timeline, this is a profound social mirror reflecting exactly what civilizations feared, fought for, and joyously celebrated across the ages. Whether you...

Dive into immersive music history and discover how a creaky wooden experiment ignited a global cultural revolution. From royal courts to crowded jazz clubs, follow the relentless quest to build a keyboard that could sing, whisper, and roar like the human voice. This captivating journey reveals...

Embark on an evocative music history journey as scattered instruments unite into a soaring classical symphony. Whether you are navigating a busy daily commute or seeking an immersive mental escape, this vibrant narrative reveals the fascinating evolution of collective sound. From humble church...

Discover how a simple wooden box fueled cultural rebellion and survived the digital revolution to define music history. Whether you need an energetic companion for your morning commute or an inspiring escape for a relaxing weekend, this narrative journey hits every chord. Travel from ancient...

Trace the explosive music history of youth rebellion that shattered postwar conformity and rewired global pop culture. This energetic cultural study drops you straight into the smoky juke joints and segregated clubs where rhythm and blues crashed into country gospel. Perfect for an immersive...

Experience the thrilling music history of the acoustic and electric instrument that sparked global cultural rebellions. Perfect for an inspiring morning commute, this energetic audio journey sweeps from ancient plucked strings to the roaring digital amplifiers of modern global pop. Whether you...

Journey through human evolution and cultural history to discover how primal noise transformed into musical expression. Perfect for an awe-inspiring commute or a mindful listening session, this captivating exploration reveals why rhythm and melody are wired directly into our brains. Whether you...

Trace the soulful origins of music history from southern cotton fields to the gritty pulse of global pop. Perfect for your morning commute or a reflective evening listen, this immersive journey explores the raw resilience of Black Americans who turned profound sorrow into a cultural revolution...

Trace the fierce mechanical evolution of a brilliant acoustic innovation that revolutionized classical music and jazz. Perfect for a relaxing evening wind-down or an inspiring daily commute, this immersive journey transports you directly into the candlelit workshops of relentless craftsmen. Feel...