In this comprehensive and detailed history of rock and roll, the author highlights the songs and artists that defined a generation. Coffman also discusses the influence radio had on individuals and society as a whole. The book examines the undercurrents that have ebbed and flowed through rock music throughout the decades. The author provides an overview of what songs placed on what charts, as well as an in-depth outline of the artists' lives and careers. Most of all, music lovers learn about the diverse history of rock and roll music since its inception.

One of the most notable features of this book is the exemplary research about each artist and their songs. This level of research demonstrates the dedication that music—and specifically rock-and-roll—fans have for their favorite bands and tunes. For those who are only now discovering the past's rock legends and bands that ultimately defined the genre, each artist's section includes a "significant songs" list. Thus, carefully curated and historically and artistically relevant playlists encourage people to explore the music. The book adeptly shows, too, the trials and tribulations bands faced during their rise to fame, no matter how brief or how long that fame was. For example, for artists like Hall and Oates, it "took five albums before they released one that had a No. 1 single on it." Examples like this show how difficult it was for some of music's most recognized artists to actually break into the business and find their fan base.

Other chapters like "The Art of Rock" challenge stereotypes that portray rock artists as untalented and their songs as meaningless. Such chapters are especially relevant to music lovers who share a passion for the genre, keeping them engaged in modern and contemporary rock scenes. As the digitization of film and music, along with the growing popularity of streaming services, shapes a new generation of pop culture and music enthusiasts, this book serves as a time capsule that captures a very different era in music and artistic history. Thus, those seeking a way to remember the past and experience nostalgia will appreciate this book's focus.

This book is especially important as bands like The Who and others announce farewell tours that signal the ending of an era. Legendary songs like The Beatles' "In My Life" and The Moody Blues' "Nights in White Satin" receive a special place in these pages. Unique facts, like how The Moody Blues credited The London Festival Orchestra on "Nights in White Satin" when no such entity existed, shed a new light on some of rock's most beloved songs.

The depth and breadth of this collection are admirable. This is a great addition to any music lover's library. Ultimately, it acts as a guide to some of the world's greatest music. Audiophiles, too, will appreciate the insights this book provides about music recording and album production during a time when the digitization of music was not yet possible. Like many of the albums this book focuses on, this work is a rock-and-roll relic in its own right.

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