Showing titles in History & Criticism

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.

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...

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...

O Festival de Woodstock, de 1969, é uma referência cultural norte-americana e mundial, e nenhum outro livro captura o ambiente, a música e as maquinações dos bastidores com mais brilho e fidelidade do que a obra de Michael Lang, um best-seller do New York Times...

The legendary lost manuscript of Grateful Dead co founder and primary lyricist Robert Hunter, written in the early 1960s—a wry, richly observed, and enlightening remembrance of “the scene” in Palo Alto that gave rise to an incredible partnership of Hunter and Jerry Garcia. “Strange to...

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...

Immerse yourself in more than 400 years of the world's most celebrated operas and discover the fascinating stories behind them. Explore the lives of singers such as Maria Callas, Luciano Pavarotti, and Jonas Kaufmann. Meet composers like Mozart, Wagner, and Britten, and the librettists with whom...

Legendary musician Prince's first wife shares a uniquely intimate, candid, and revelatory look inside the personal and professional life of one of the world's most beloved icons. "An achingly loving memoir ... a heartbreaking inside look at the tortured side of genius that most of us are never...

This gritty bestselling memoir by the singer Mark Lanegan of Screaming Trees, Queens of the Stone Age, and Soulsavers documents his years as a singer and drug addict in Seattle in the '80s and '90s. When Mark Lanegan first arrived in Seattle in the mid-1980s, he was just "an arrogant...

American pop music is arguably this country’s greatest cultural contribution to the world, and its singular voice and virtuosity were created by a shining thread of Black women geniuses stretching back to the country’s founding. This is their surprising, heartbreaking, soaring...

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...

Experience this evocative music history exploring how deep hardship and soulful resilience birthed a cultural revolution. Perfect for a reflective commute, this immersive origin story transports you to the Mississippi Delta after the Civil War. Listen as quiet survival tools transform into an...

Step inside the dramatic world of classical music and transform your daily commute into an inspiring historical journey. Demystify the soaring vocals and theatrical spectacles of Europe's greatest stages without needing a degree in music theory. Perfect for curious minds seeking deep focus, this...

Experience the gritty music history of how 1970s Bronx street battles birthed a billion-dollar pop culture empire. Perfect for your daily commute or an intense workout, this high-energy cultural study immerses you in the arson-ravaged neighborhoods where marginalized youth invented a...

'A whistle-stop tour de force with an expert guide . . . Pure fire.' Symeon Brown 'A smorgasbord of fascinating cameos . . . [Bardowell's] paid his dues, people, and now it's time to enjoy the fruits of what he's witnessed.' John Masouri, Echoes Magazine Dancehall isn't just music. It's a...

This definitive work on the occult's "great beast" traces the arc of his controversial life and influence on rock-and-roll giants, from the Rolling Stones to Led Zeppelin to Black Sabbath. When Aleister Crowley died in 1947, he was not an obvious contender for the most enduring pop-culture...

This innovative history explores the rich tradition of music behind bars and shows how policing and prisons have shaped our musical culture from blues to hip-hop. In American popular music, we often glorify rebellious artists and “outlaws.” But in The Midnight Special, Colin Asher tells a...

'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'...

Bloomsbury presents Uncharted Territory: What Numbers Tell Us about the Biggest Hit Songs and Ourselves by Chris Dalla Riva , read by John Moraitis. Popular music history collides with data analytics, charts, and numbers in this insightful and surprising look at the greatest hits and musicians...

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...