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Inside The Music Business By Fredric Dannen |
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| This was, and probably still is, a controversial book when it first came out. I remember it had the entire business buzzing for months. Although a lot of what the author presents was already public knowledge, his book brings it all together, in perspective, between one set of covers and with thorough documentation. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The book explains the rise and fall of the moguls and honchos, such as CBS Records president Walter Yetnikoff, record promoter Joe Isgro and the ever-shadowy Mob. You will read, for example, about how Casa Blanca Records was mired with drugs and put top groups of its time -- like Village People (who I later came to represent) -- into a tail spin. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The book certainly confirms that a lot of what it takes to be successful is who you know. But make no mistake about it. You also better know what you are doing. The book's discussion about David Geffen -- the Donald Trump of the record business -- is a prime example. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| There are plenty of books that explain the legal and business workings of the music industry. But I think it's also essential to know some of the history of the business you want to be in. It gives you an appreciation and understanding of why things are the way they are. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dannen's book certainly provides the history and in a fun-to-read manner. With what little free time I had, I was able to blaze through the book in about a week. So you there's a lot to learn without feeling like you are sitting in Economics 101. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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~Richard P. Dieguez |
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