A Century of Pop: A Hundred Years of Music That Changed the World

by Hugh Gregory

Pop music didn't start with Elvis - or Frank Sinatra, for that matter. A Century Of Pop traces its development from its geographical and ethnic roots to examine how all types of music have come together in strange new ways to shape today's sounds. Illustrated with more than 500 pictures and a wealth of archival material, the cross-referenced entries in this book cover more than 150 musical genres, singers, and styles - from Victorian hymns and West African drum rhythms, through light opera, vaudeville songs, Latin American dance music, country, blues, and rock 'n' roll, to the techno-driven pop music of the moment.

256 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1998

Reviews

[Jill H.]

The term "pop music" always brings to mind those little throw-away songs that grabbed the public's attention for a short time, showed up on American Bandstand and Top of the Pops, and then disappeared. Of course, since it means "popular music", it includes all genres which include songs that live on through history. The author looks at the music of the 20th century, not only what made a particular style appealing and how it was presented to the public (radio, records, music hall, etc.) but also why certain performers (single or groups) set the standard for the time. So we have here a history of everything from folk music to light opera, jazz, r&b, pure blues, doo wop, hip-hop and everything in between He also gives space to some of the greats such as Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, the Beatles, Hank Williams, and Patsy Cline. He bit off a lot of history to put in one book and that's probably why I didn't give it a higher rating.....each chapter is pretty superficial and he passes lightly over some artists who deserve a bit more attention. I feel somewhat guilty even saying that since I can't imagine anyone trying to encapsulate all genres of music in 100 years into one book.....pretty impressive. It is a fun book to read in short spurts.....one of those lunchtime reads.