1971- Never a Dull Moment: Rock's Golden Year
By: David Hepworth
Published: June, 2016
Published By: Henry Holt and Co.
Format Read: eBook, NetGalley, ARC, Kobo
Genre: Non-fiction, Music
Date Read: June 20, 2016
Rating: 3.5/5
I was sent a copy
of 1971- Never a Dull Moment: Rock's Golden Year by David Hepworth
from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
In 1971 the events of the previous decade were still fresh in
everyone's mind. The Beatles, who much to the dismay of their fans
had broken up and were forging their own solo careers. With shifting
interests and a troubled economy, how would this change the shape of
music? Already established bands struggled to keep up the changes of
time and had no choice but to evolve to survive. For the first time
in music history the focus was on full albums, rather than the
previously lucrative single sales. Meanwhile fresh new talent waited
in the wings for their turn to prove themselves as rockers. In David
Hepworth's 1971- Never a Dull Moment: Rock's Golden Year, he examines
the development of rock and the beginning of what will be the music
industry during the span of just twelve months.
I grew up listening to a lot of good old Rock and Roll and up until
the past several years would have preferred to listen to the singles
of the 1950s or 1960s. It is only recently that I started to listen
to much more Classic Rock. It wasn't until I read this book that I
learned the history of this genre and the significance of the year
1971.
This book was divided up between the 12 months that made up the year
1971 and featured prominent events that happened in each one. I liked
this set up although because there is so much back information
mentioned I often got lost as to which month was the main focus. At
the end of each chapter was a list of the top songs from that
specific month. The addition of these lists gave the reader a
wonderful soundtrack to re-visit. It allowed me to discover many
different bands I hadn't heard of and to listen to songs that have
since become favourites of mine.
Hepworth also touches on some of the personal lives of the Rocker's
he writes about and examines their connections and influences that
shaped their careers. Interestingly during that time music fans and
the media had little knowledge of what went on behind the scenes.
Unlike today when a celebrity can't even leave their house without
the world being aware.
This book was really fascinating to me, as I learned a lot about how
the music industry began to grow and eventually become what we know
it as today. I enjoyed learning of how the trailblazers of the 70s
would influence the entire way music is recorded and marketed for the
years to come. Unfortunately my attention did waver from time to
time, due to the length of the chapters and some of the topics that
just didn't interest me.
1971- Never a Dull Moment: Rock's Golden Year is an educational trek
back to the early days of what would become the history of Rock. I
would recommend it to those who enjoy reading non-fiction about music
history.
1971- Never a Dull Moment: Rock's Golden Year
I was sent a copy
of 1971- Never a Dull Moment: Rock's Golden Year by David Hepworth
from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
In 1971 the events of the previous decade were still fresh in
everyone's mind. The Beatles, who much to the dismay of their fans
had broken up and were forging their own solo careers. With shifting
interests and a troubled economy, how would this change the shape of
music? Already established bands struggled to keep up the changes of
time and had no choice but to evolve to survive. For the first time
in music history the focus was on full albums, rather than the
previously lucrative single sales. Meanwhile fresh new talent waited
in the wings for their turn to prove themselves as rockers. In David
Hepworth's 1971- Never a Dull Moment: Rock's Golden Year, he examines
the development of rock and the beginning of what will be the music
industry during the span of just twelve months.
I grew up listening to a lot of good old Rock and Roll and up until
the past several years would have preferred to listen to the singles
of the 1950s or 1960s. It is only recently that I started to listen
to much more Classic Rock. It wasn't until I read this book that I
learned the history of this genre and the significance of the year
1971.
This book was divided up between the 12 months that made up the year
1971 and featured prominent events that happened in each one. I liked
this set up although because there is so much back information
mentioned I often got lost as to which month was the main focus. At
the end of each chapter was a list of the top songs from that
specific month. The addition of these lists gave the reader a
wonderful soundtrack to re-visit. It allowed me to discover many
different bands I hadn't heard of and to listen to songs that have
since become favourites of mine.
Hepworth also touches on some of the personal lives of the Rocker's
he writes about and examines their connections and influences that
shaped their careers. Interestingly during that time music fans and
the media had little knowledge of what went on behind the scenes.
Unlike today when a celebrity can't even leave their house without
the world being aware.
This book was really fascinating to me, as I learned a lot about how
the music industry began to grow and eventually become what we know
it as today. I enjoyed learning of how the trailblazers of the 70s
would influence the entire way music is recorded and marketed for the
years to come. Unfortunately my attention did waver from time to
time, due to the length of the chapters and some of the topics that
just didn't interest me.
1971- Never a Dull Moment: Rock's Golden Year is an educational trek
back to the early days of what would become the history of Rock. I
would recommend it to those who enjoy reading non-fiction about music
history.
