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Last Night a DJ Saved My Life: The History of the Disc Jockey
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From the first time a record was played over the airwaves in 1906, to a modern club economy that totals $3 billion annually in New York City alone, the DJ has been at the center of popular music. Starting as little more than a talking jukebox, the DJ is now a premier entertainer, producer, businessman, and musician in his own right. Superstar DJs, from Junior Vasquez to Sa
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This book is clearly well researched, but the prose bogs it down. It takes a fascinating subject and makes it sometimes painful to read about--painful as in laden with pedantry and cliche. It feels like it was written by one of those fanboys who loves "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and knows why Angel was wearing that bracelet in that one episode and will tell you about it for 15 minutes got turned on to hiphop.
The interviews were good, though. ...more
The interviews were good, though. ...more
(My apologies for mistreating the English language)
Four and half stars.
If you have seen my profile you may think that this book is quite far from the usual, but not so much if we consider my interest in popular culture and, in addition, for my studies of sociology (although I am not working in this discipline) that has left me "installed" the curiosity about social phenomena. Of course as a young “dancing king” I frequently attended nightclubs, so from my own experience this is familiar to me.
On ...more
Four and half stars.
If you have seen my profile you may think that this book is quite far from the usual, but not so much if we consider my interest in popular culture and, in addition, for my studies of sociology (although I am not working in this discipline) that has left me "installed" the curiosity about social phenomena. Of course as a young “dancing king” I frequently attended nightclubs, so from my own experience this is familiar to me.
On ...more
A super interesting history of the DJ and his record collection. This book basically covers the time when a man or woman played a record in front of an audience. It covers stuff from the 20's to of course the Disco era to the Northern Soul.
I am not into dance music or DJ culture, but saying that this is truly a fascinating history of records and the role it plays in individuals lives as well as social groups of all sorts. The Northern Soul cult is beyond fascinating. DJ's locating old Motown, St ...more
I am not into dance music or DJ culture, but saying that this is truly a fascinating history of records and the role it plays in individuals lives as well as social groups of all sorts. The Northern Soul cult is beyond fascinating. DJ's locating old Motown, St ...more
I imagine it’s difficult to write a precise and accurate account of the DJ origin story and it’s evolution through music without worry of incorrectly appointing forerunner status on certain artists or omitting them all together. But I think Bill Brewster and Frank Broughton did it. This is a very dense book and it’s very comprehensive about the DJ role in music; I don’t think I’d want to read anything longer about DJ history than the 600 pages I just finished reading (I read the most updated and
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So I'm in two minds about this book. On the one hand, it's truly unique and it tackles an important and undernarrated history. On the other hand, it really shows that the authors can't really handle either the popular non-fiction genre, or the genre of the academic essay. It's a bit all over the place: the structure goes by musical genre, but you end up skipping decades back and forth. Instead of offering analysis, it usually devolves into listing names of DJs and clubs. And don't even get me st
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This book is my bible. I reread it every couple of years and get something new and vital out it every time. I'm glad I initially read it years after I started DJ'ing or it might have over loaded my circuits. It's fascinating that the principles that made these historic DJs, DeeJays, and DiscJockeys amazing still hold true today. A must read for anyone who has ever attempted DJ'ing once or more.
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I teach "electronic music history" because of this book!!!
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This excellent book does what the title claims - it presents the history of the DJ from the very first time a record was played on a radio broadcast (in 1906) through to a century later when the revised edition of this book was released.
While it does look at the role of the DJ on radio, the vast majority of the book is devoted to the DJ in clubs and parties. In doing this, what it also does is provide a comprehensive look at the history of dance music from the rock n roll era onward because much ...more
While it does look at the role of the DJ on radio, the vast majority of the book is devoted to the DJ in clubs and parties. In doing this, what it also does is provide a comprehensive look at the history of dance music from the rock n roll era onward because much ...more
3.5 rating::
I was extremely invested in this book! I appreciate all the research and passion that the authors put into this. I would have gave it 5 stars, but I was very disappointed in the very biased conclusion. The authors clearly have memories from the late 80's-late 90's writing multiple chapters (which I enjoyed), but it was the opinion of the new era of music that left a bad taste in my mouth. It had a vibe of "young kids these days don't know what good music is, it was much better in my ...more
I was extremely invested in this book! I appreciate all the research and passion that the authors put into this. I would have gave it 5 stars, but I was very disappointed in the very biased conclusion. The authors clearly have memories from the late 80's-late 90's writing multiple chapters (which I enjoyed), but it was the opinion of the new era of music that left a bad taste in my mouth. It had a vibe of "young kids these days don't know what good music is, it was much better in my ...more
A lengthy history of the disc jockey, tracing the evolution from radio and the concept of playing records in dance clubs (both of which enraged musician unions everywhere, claiming it would put them out of work) to the rise of disco, techno, house and superstar DJs. At 600 pages, it’s a bit of a slog, but the thesis of DJ as shaman leading celebratory dance rituals – along with the idea that DJs have done as much if not more than music artists to shape the evolution of music – is rather convinci
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A entertaining and well-researched history of DJing, ending with the onset of the new millennium. Reflecting my own tastes, I particularly liked the sections on the disco scene in New York, and the techno scene in Detroit. I would recommend this book for anyone with an interest in club music.
This took a while, but with good reason (it's 552 pages). It is a complete and encyclopedic history of the DJ, from its beginnings on the radio and roots of Reggae, Disco, Northern Soul and Hip Hop, right through to the noughties. References to infamous clubs such as Paradise Garage and Loft and even more famous DJ's such as Larry Levan, Frankie Knuckles et.al make this a must read for anyone interested in the music and culture created by them. Long live the DJ.
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I cherry-picked chapters around my musical tastes, so I can heartily recommend the parts on reggae and hip-hop. The authors admit that their treatment isn't comprehensive, but focused on their experiences and connections. Still, great stuff on the origins of DJing and the musical forms it spawned.
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Do you mark a book as read when you have to stop reading since it makes you so angry? Sexist, inaccurate, pretentious and condescending - if you have any attachment to DJing or appreciation for music stay away. Gag...
This is the other half. Read "The Oral History of Punk Rock by Legs Mc Neill" before during or after reading this book. The characters, music, moods and ideas all collide.
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Serves as a view on the evolution of subcultures as well a history on the music scenes within them.
Last Night a DJ Saved My Life is a comprehensive history of DJing over the last century and how innovative techniques spawned new genres of music. It's also a testament to the artistic merit of DJing which is commonly despised by people who think that DJing is nothing more than playing one record after another, without any sort of musicianship or skill. DJing is, in fact, a momentous artistic force that has helped to define eras in musical culture.
This book goes well with other music history bo ...more
This book goes well with other music history bo ...more
Blecccchhh! From the back cover: "this is the definitive story of DJing and how the DJ became the central force in the evolution of music, creating everything from hip hop, reggae and disco to house, jungle and garage." Well....to be honest, the only categories I like in the aforementioned are Garage (the Little Steven Van Zandt variety) and Reggae. I can't stand rap, hip hop, EDM, techno, house and the only DJ's I really know and like are the old guys from CHUM-AM in Toronto, then CHUM-FM, then
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You could divide this book into two parts basically: the historical, canonical history of the DJ in eras and settings that the author wasn't part of (featuring lots of talking heads, well-researched facts, song name-drops that paint a very clear picture of the scene), and the more modern UK-era from the eighties on that he seems to know *very* well. From major DJ movements being described with a mostly objective and detached style, we suddenly move into numerous UK micro-genres and spin-offs (no
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A 600 page history of the disc jockey is a lot, which is the book’s strength as well as its flaw. The authors did their research and provide a seemingly exhaustive account of the evolving role of dj’s, exhaustive being the key word in that I got exhausted reading this and kept falling asleep. That’s not to say Brewster and Broughton don’t write well. I found the first half of the book to be very engaging, despite an onslaught of unfamiliar names that I’d forget within a couple of pages. It’s onc
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An incredibly robust and well-rounded history of DJing, popular music, and especially dance music culture. However, Brewster often writes about women (whose contributions to DJing and dance music are given a mere two pages in the five-hundred-plus page book) with a sexist bent, and though he highly reveres the music, the way he writes about people of color behind many of the music styles showcased in the book is rather insensitive and results in more than a few eye-rolls.
There are quite a few bo ...more
There are quite a few bo ...more
Very knowledgeable about the music world, nice prose, but history itself seems to repeat itself too much: new music comes out, initially people reject, then embrace, lots of dancing in clubs, then becomes too mainstream, some new music brewing underground somewhere till it resurfaces, and etc. Got tiring after a while, but that’s not the writer’s fault.
Made me appreciate DJ’s a lot more though.
Made me appreciate DJ’s a lot more though.
Damn fine doorstop of a book that attempts the almost impossible of charting the history of the DJ. From it's humble beginning in the scratchy age of valve radio right the way up to the Digital DJ. Of course there are areas that don't get covered as much as one would like, but when it's good, such as the rise of Hip-Hop, the Jamaican sound clashes or the Disco era, it's pretty much perfect.
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Informative, and at times pretty interesting, but I thought the prose was terrible, and the writing style was pretentious and frustrating. It felt like the writers wanted to get through the first couple hundred pages so they could name-drop house and techno DJs that they got to interview for the later chapters, which was mostly why they wrote the book.
A game of two halves. The pages about the early days of it all are superb. It's also interesting to read about the European scene. However, the later UK scene chapters descend into cliche and error which feel far less researched.
One day someone will treat the UK rave scene with a little more respect.
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One day someone will treat the UK rave scene with a little more respect.
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I read this many years ago, but I remember it being staggeringly thorough in its knowledge of genres that I knew very little about, and where, when and why these genres emerged. When I discovered many years later that it's seen as a venerated text within musical circles, I wasn't surprised at all. Very highly recommended. I would class it as one of the essential texts of sociomusicology 101.
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The amount of new musical knowledge I've gained from this book is unbelievable! It also features well told stories about the clubs and dancers where musical history was made. Very inspiring and sent me on many journeys of musical research.
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The books tells the story of the 20 century DJ up until these days. Lots of information about DJs, music styles, clubs, eras, people and so much more! A must book to whoever loves music and history. Really helped me to step up as a DJ.
I wonder if future editions will remove the fact that Jimmy Savile invented the Disc Jockey. Key voices explain why they deserve praise for essentially creating vibes in otherwise vibeless rooms. Superstar DJing is the latest wheeze.
The best book I've ever read about electronic music. It doesn't only show you the story and evolution of it, it shows the story of one of the most important person at a party/club, etc...The DJ, if you are into being a DJ, produce music, or want to know more about these things, this book is a must.
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Bill was originally a chef, working first in London and then Geneva, before returning back to the UK in 1981. His first break as a writer was in 1988 working for cult football magazine When Saturday Comes, where he remained until 1993.
He moved to New York in 1994, where he soon met his writing partner Frank Broughton. Within a fortnight of their meeting they started plotting their first book toge ...more
He moved to New York in 1994, where he soon met his writing partner Frank Broughton. Within a fortnight of their meeting they started plotting their first book toge ...more
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“the DJ plays the feelings of a roomful of people.”
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“Opium? No! Cocaine? No! The Great American Brain Killer Is Dance Music!’ – Portland Oregonian, 1932 T”
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