Listmania!
Knocked Out Books on Roots Music
By an Amazon.com customer
Little Labels--Big Sound: Small Record Companies and the Rise of American MusicLittle Labels--Big Sound: Small Record Companies and the Rise of American Music by Rick Kennedy
Buy used from: $10.95
Fascinating look at small labels of the 1920s to 1970s. Meticulously done.
We Wanna Boogie: An Illustrated History of the American Rockabilly MovementWe Wanna Boogie: An Illustrated History of the American Rockabilly Movement by Randy Mcnutt
Buy new: $25.00 / Used from: $11.00
Best book of its kind. Great primer and tons of rare photos. A must-have for rockabilly fans.
Guitar Towns: A Journey to the Crossroads of Rock 'n' RollGuitar Towns: A Journey to the Crossroads of Rock 'n' Roll by Randy McNutt
Buy new: $14.95 / Used from: $7.86
One of the few true music travel narratives on the market. Poetic writing and great interviews of the hitmakers.
Too Hot to Handle: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of American Recording Studios of the 20th CenturyToo Hot to Handle: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of American Recording Studios of the 20th Century by Randy McNutt
Buy new: $25.00 / Used from: $24.99
More terrific anecdotes from one of my favorite music writers.
Dream Boogie: The Triumph of Sam CookeDream Boogie: The Triumph of Sam Cooke by Peter Guralnick
Buy new: $18.45 / Used from: $0.41
One of Peter G's best effors.
Last Train to Memphis: The Rise of Elvis PresleyLast Train to Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley by Peter Guralnick
Buy new: $12.23 / Used from: $4.40
IT's about E, of course. What else can I say?
Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis PresleyCareless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley by Peter Guralnick
Buy new: $12.23 / Used from: $3.75
Buy it if you like Elvis and early rockabilly.
Sweet Soul Music: Rhythm and Blues and the Southern Dream of FreedomSweet Soul Music: Rhythm and Blues and the Southern Dream of Freedom by Peter Guralnick
Buy new: $12.91 / Used from: $5.97
The real roots.
Lost Highway: Journeys and Arrivals of American MusiciansLost Highway: Journeys and Arrivals of American Musicians by Peter Guralnick
Buy new: $11.55 / Used from: $3.72
A pioneering work in its field.
Elvis Presley: A Life in Music--The Complete Recording SessionsElvis Presley: A Life in Music--The Complete Recording Sessions by Ernst Jorgensen
Buy used from: $16.06
For the phonophiles.
Searching for Robert Johnson: The Life and Legend of the "King of the Delta Blues Singers"Searching for Robert Johnson: The Life and Legend of the "King of the Delta Blues Singers" by Peter Guralnick
Buy new: $9.60 / Used from: $3.00
Fascinating history.
45 RPM: The History, Heroes, and Villains of a Pop Music Revolution45 RPM: The History, Heroes, and Villains of a Pop Music Revolution by Jim Dawson
Buy new: $13.57 / Used from: $5.99
A fun read--and historic.
Memories of Buddy HollyMemories of Buddy Holly by Jim Dawson
Buy used from: $13.65
More rockabilly cats.
Rock Around the Clock: The Record that Started the Rock Revolution!Rock Around the Clock: The Record that Started the Rock Revolution! by Jim Dawson
Buy new: $13.22 / Used from: $3.10
And more....
The Twist: The Story of the Song and Dance That Changed the WorldThe Twist: The Story of the Song and Dance That Changed the World by Jim Dawson
Buy used from: $1.02
This book is a great idea. It tells the whole story behind the two hits.
Merry Christmas, Baby: Holiday Music from Bing to StingMerry Christmas, Baby: Holiday Music from Bing to Sting by Dave Marsh
Buy used from: $0.01
Hey, there's some holiday cheer in here too.
Golden Goodies: A Guide To 50's & 60's Popular Rock & Roll Record CollectingGolden Goodies: A Guide To 50's & 60's Popular Rock & Roll Record Collecting by Steve Propes
Buy used from: $0.25
You get a lot of book here. So many hits.
Those Oldies but Goodies: A Guide to 50's Record Collecting.Those Oldies but Goodies: A Guide to 50's Record Collecting. by Steve. Propes
Buy used from: $2.54
If you collect, you should get this one.
Golden oldies;: A guide to 60's record collectingGolden oldies;: A guide to 60's record collecting by Steve Propes
Buy used from: $1.46
Ditto.
What Was the First Rock 'N' Roll Record?What Was the First Rock 'N' Roll Record? by Jim Dawson
Buy used from: $57.95
Truly a unique work. What a great, simple, incredible idea! Will be a classic.
L.A. R&B Vocal Groups, 1945-1965L.A. R&B Vocal Groups, 1945-1965 by Steve Propes
Buy used from: $90.00
We can't neglect the LA groups.
Go, Cat, Go!: The Life and Times of Carl Perkins, the King of RockabillyGo, Cat, Go!: The Life and Times of Carl Perkins, the King of Rockabilly by Carl Perkins
Buy used from: $3.48
The Man himself tells it all. You must have it.
Rockabilly: A Forty-Year Journey (Book)Rockabilly: A Forty-Year Journey (Book) by Billy Poore
Buy new: $16.47 / Used from: $11.00
Poore is enthused and informed. He talks to his rockabilly people.
Rockabilly Music A Forty Year History When See 00330378Rockabilly Music A Forty Year History When See 00330378 by Billy Poore
Buy new: $17.90
I like Poore's work. Give me more.
Soulsville U.S.A.: The Story of Stax Records (Omnibus Press)Soulsville U.S.A.: The Story of Stax Records (Omnibus Press) by Rob Bowman
Buy new: $29.95 / Used from: $7.98
Another classic in the making.