In the Groove: The People Behind the Music - Softcover

Fox's interviews with 12 men important to the history of modern music are reprinted from Audio magazine, where he is an editor. The interviewees are those who developed the top vocal artists of the past half-century. Most familiar to the public is Mitch Miller, who at Columbia Records introduced or advanced the careers of Tony Bennett, Rosemary Clooney and Johnny Mathis, gospel singer Mahalia Jackson, country-and-western star Hank Williams and jazz performer Erroll Garner. Less known, but as influential, is record impressario John Hammond, who brought to public attention Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, Bob Dylan and Aretha Franklin. These figures have intriguing stories to tell, and, despite occasional excursions into details too technical for any but audiophiles, the interviews are all in the groove.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

music Collected here are 12 interviews with some of the most influential men in the recording industry, including Milt Gabler, Clive Davis, and Phil Ramone. Each relates behind-the-scenes events, but the tone is businesslike and the gossipy digs are few. A surprisingly cantankerous Mitch Miller emerges as the best storyteller, and there are fascinating moments too, as when John Hammond recalls discovering Billie Holliday in a Harlem speakeasy. The range of age and experience of those interviewed results in good historical depth, from the old days when music moguls were musicians themselves and spent much time promoting their company's songs to the scene today where many top executives are lawyers and businessmen. Recommended for subject collections. Richard W. Grefrath, Univ. of Nevada Lib., Reno
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.