- Paperback: 800 pages
- Publisher: Cassell Illustrated (15 Sep 2007)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1844035921
- ISBN-13: 978-1844035922
- Product Dimensions: 19.8 x 18 x 5.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 495,006 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Description
Product Description
From the most explosive lyrics and chart-busting albums and singles to the greatest compositions and pivotal performances this is an overview of each moment's impact on modern music, on popular culture, and on rock evolution. At once critical analysis of these seminal moments, and glorious celebration of 100 years of popular music. Some moments are legendary - the spectacular explosion of punk in 1977, the genius of John Lennon's songwriting. Others are more subtle - groundbreaking productions that inspired decades of imitators, the first use of the MOOG synthesizer, the untimely death of an icon or the first breakdance. Each moment is placed in its historic, cultural and musical context creating an intelligent, accessible guide to a century of popular music from around the world.
About the Author
Sean Egan has written for, amongst other outlets, Billboard, Classic Rock, Goldmine, Record Collector, RollingStone.com, Sky Sports, Uncut and Vox. He also writes CD liner notes and he is the author of books on The Verve, The Animals, Jimi Hendrix, and has recently completed his second book on The Rolling Stones The Rough Guide To The Rolling Stones (Penguin). He also edited the forthcoming 100 Albums That Changed Music (Constable & Robinson). One of his books - The Making Of 'Are You Experienced' was nominated for an Award for Excellence in Historical Recorded Sound Research.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Paperback
Beginning in 1900 and the introduction of gramophone recordings and ending with downloads and mp3s this is like an incredible journey of a hundred years of changes from ragtime to hip hop.Its the ultimate coffee table book-though you can read it in its own order every page will make you stop and read some entry relating to whatever interests you in music.
And with over a dozen contributors who specialise in one area or another its not single opinionated but states the facts and illustrates how the various strands of music became interlocked and how that music penetrated the media.
Each entry explains why its a key item even if its because of its controversy rather than a musical reason.Eg Vanilla Ice a white rapper who amazingly had the No 1 single Ice Ice Baby (which had stolen the intro to the Queen/Bowie song Under Pressure) had bragged in interviews about a ficticious gangland past in a feeble attempt to boost his street cred was soon sussed out and deservedly dumped on into the trash can having lost any respect he may have hoped for
With 800 pages and weighing as much as part of a paving stone this is a book which won't be available for long as over 10 years of music have passed since it was written so you won't find Katharine Jenkins here
And with over a dozen contributors who specialise in one area or another its not single opinionated but states the facts and illustrates how the various strands of music became interlocked and how that music penetrated the media.
Each entry explains why its a key item even if its because of its controversy rather than a musical reason.Eg Vanilla Ice a white rapper who amazingly had the No 1 single Ice Ice Baby (which had stolen the intro to the Queen/Bowie song Under Pressure) had bragged in interviews about a ficticious gangland past in a feeble attempt to boost his street cred was soon sussed out and deservedly dumped on into the trash can having lost any respect he may have hoped for
With 800 pages and weighing as much as part of a paving stone this is a book which won't be available for long as over 10 years of music have passed since it was written so you won't find Katharine Jenkins here
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
1 review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Great, Fun, Comprehensive Look at Western Music
16 Jan 2008
Format:Paperback
This is a very good book. Published in England, it is a chronological listing of what the editor and writers have tagged as the defining moments in western music, starting with the 20th century, through approximately 2004. They are divided into three, maybe four general categories, Key Events, Key People, and Key Concerts and Key Songs. There are two items on each page. Also, the photographs are excellent with some not so often seen ones.
What I like about this is that it covers all genres of popular music, not trying to pit some types of music against others. And, the writing is intelligent. For example, Bruce Springsteen's album, The River, is listed as a key album and the writer goes on to compare Springsteen's "The River" to the Clash's, "London Calling", bringing out some very insightful information, that as a longstanding Springsteen fan, I had not considered.
The publisher has also put out "Defining Moments" books on movies and books. Though I haven't seen those, if they are as good as this one on music, they will be well worth checking out.
What I like about this is that it covers all genres of popular music, not trying to pit some types of music against others. And, the writing is intelligent. For example, Bruce Springsteen's album, The River, is listed as a key album and the writer goes on to compare Springsteen's "The River" to the Clash's, "London Calling", bringing out some very insightful information, that as a longstanding Springsteen fan, I had not considered.
The publisher has also put out "Defining Moments" books on movies and books. Though I haven't seen those, if they are as good as this one on music, they will be well worth checking out.
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