Revolutions in American Music: Three Decades That Changed a Country and Its Sounds

by Michael Broyles

The story of how unexpected connections between music, technology, and race across three tumultuous decades changed American culture. How did a European social dance craze become part of an American presidential election? Why did the recording industry become racially divided? Where did rock ’n’ roll really come from? And how do all these things continue to reverberate in today’s world? In Revolutions in American Music , award-winning author Michael Broyles shows the surprising ways in which three key decades―the 1840s, the 1920s, and the 1950s―shaped America’s musical future. Drawing connections between new styles of music like the minstrel show, jazz, and rock ’n’ roll, and emerging technologies like the locomotive, the first music recordings, and the transistor radio, Broyles argues that these decades fundamentally remade our cultural landscape in enduring ways. At the same time, these connections revealed racial fault lines running through the business of music, in an echo of American society as a whole. Through the music of each decade, we come to see anew the social, cultural, and political fabric of the time. Broyles combines broad historical perspective with an eye for the telling detail and presents a variety of characters to serve as focal points, including the original Jim Crow, a colorful Hungarian dancing master named Gabriel de Korponay, “Empress of the Blues” Bessie Smith, and the singer Johnnie Ray, whom Tony Bennett called “the father of rock ’n’ roll.” Their stories, and many others, animate Broyles’s masterly account of how American music became what it is today. 12 illustrations

Genres: Music, History, Nonfiction

448 pages, Hardcover

Published February 20, 2024

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 2 out of 5]

The dramatic title "Revolutions in American Music: Three Decades That Changed a Country and Its Sounds" promises a lot. Sadly, Michael Broyles book doesn't come close to backing up the ambition of its title. It's actually hard to figure out who this book was written for. There's too much detail for the casual fan and far too little for the more serious music lover.

That said, Broyles starts off strong with an excellent history of 19th century minstrelsy -- an era often ignored by music historians. The eerily popular spectacle of black-faced white performers in the years before the Civil War introduces a theme of racism in America and its music that Broyles weaves throughout his narrative. Kudos for his research on this difficult period in history.

Unfortunately, it's mostly downhill from there. Broyles' other "revolutions": 1920s jazz, early '50s crooners and the rock 'n roll explosion of the late '50s -- are covered in prose more cliched than insightful. Part of the problem lies in Broyles lack of original sources. A couple of popular radio DJs from the era are quoted extensively, but much of book retells oft-quoted stories most music fans have heard before. And the book doesn't back up the claims that music changed America. In Broyles telling, it often seems the other way around. The lack of acceptance for developing music styles over the last fifty years may indicate this country remains largely unchanged in its atttiudes.

Speaking of claims, his insistence on the importance of emotion-riddled crooner Johnnie Ray in the birth of rock 'n roll is a bit silly. In doing so, Broyles glosses over the Black blues, gospel and white country innovators wh0 contributed far more dynamite to the explosion.

In Broyles' defense, the odds were stacked against his finding anything new without better primary sources. These stories have been told much better by writers such as Peter Guralnick, Gary Giddins, Ted Gioia, and Terry Teachout among many others. If only Broyles had brought something new to the party.

[Daniel Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was excited by the title, but disappointed in the book. It got off track and overdosed on some details but was lacking in others.

[Ann Margolis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGallery, W.W. Norton and author Michael Broyles for the opportunity to read the arc ebook of “Revolutions in American Music.”

This is such a well-researched and stimulating read based upon the premise that during certain periods in our history music inspired notable changes in our society. Broyles is a well-known American music historian and he presents detailed information in the most interesting and enjoyable manner. Beginning with minstrel entertainment in 1810 and continuing through early jazz, the invention of radio and phonograph, the founding of symphony orchestras, the development of country music, 1950s rock and roll and modern contemporary composers, the information flows in such a natural and interesting manner one forgets that this is scholarship at its best. When the book presents finite information it reveals facts often overlooked in other histories. A perfect example is the section on early jazz that omits so much of the repeated fiction and presents the real development and important musicians. Each section brings a realization of just how America’s social fabric was heavily influenced by a concurrent musical genre. This is a thoroughly wonderful book.

Sent from my iPad

[Joshua Berntsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: ★★★★☆

As a musician, I found "Revolutions in American Music" to be an excellent and fascinating read. Although I didn’t get a chance to finish the book, I made it about halfway through (48%), which was actually further along considering the reference sheets at the end. I had to re-borrow it from the library three times due to my slow reading pace and other book club commitments.

The author did a fantastic job of keeping the content engaging and packed with interesting facts. It was a joy to delve into the history behind some of the music I’ve played on my tenor sax, especially the chapters on ragtime and Dixieland music (or Louisiana jazz, as it’s more politically correct today).

Even though I couldn’t finish it this time around, I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the evolution of American music. Perhaps someday, I'll pick it back up and finish it. But for now, it’s definitely a great read that’s worth your time.

[tiasreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

[RA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nicely thought-out analysis of the 1840s, 1920s & 1950s, with regard to the development of music, dance, technology & the music business.

The author covers a lot of subjects.

[James S. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting topic, poor execution. The author is in love with his own voice and spends many dozens of pages on uninteresting philosophical debates.