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On Record, Vol. 7: 1979—Images, Interviews & Insights From the Year in Music
The On Record series presents rare archival images and insightful interviews by long-time popular-music journalist and radio personality G. Brown.
“I’ve known G. Brown since he rode the bus with Journey for a short stint, and I love the way this guy writes! Each entry is loaded with information and humor that makes you want to go on to the next one and the next and to every book in the series.” –Gregg Rolie, two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
On Record Vol. 7 – 1979 of the comprehensive On Record series captures the resurgence of rock (“My Sharona” by the Knack; Pink Floyd’s concept album, The Wall), the reign of disco on the pop charts (Bee Gees, Donna Summer) and the first rap single to become a Top 40 hit (the Sugarhill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight”), as well as the year’s greatest releases from pop, R&B, country and jazz stars.
Interview-based profiles of more than 100 artists and bands include:
THE CLASH
SUPERTRAMP
ROXY MUSIC
KENNY LOGGINS
THE DOOBIE BROTHERS
WAYLON JENNINGS
JIMMY BUFFETT
EAGLES
VAN HALEN
POCO
TALKING HEADS
DAN FOGELBERG
CHEAP TRICK
WEATHER REPORT
FLEETWOOD MAC
DEVO
THE CARS
JONI MITCHELL
RICKIE LEE JONES
DARYL HALL & JOHN OATES
“I’ve known G. Brown since he rode the bus with Journey for a short stint, and I love the way this guy writes! Each entry is loaded with information and humor that makes you want to go on to the next one and the next and to every book in the series.” –Gregg Rolie, two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
On Record Vol. 7 – 1979 of the comprehensive On Record series captures the resurgence of rock (“My Sharona” by the Knack; Pink Floyd’s concept album, The Wall), the reign of disco on the pop charts (Bee Gees, Donna Summer) and the first rap single to become a Top 40 hit (the Sugarhill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight”), as well as the year’s greatest releases from pop, R&B, country and jazz stars.
Interview-based profiles of more than 100 artists and bands include:
THE CLASH
SUPERTRAMP
ROXY MUSIC
KENNY LOGGINS
THE DOOBIE BROTHERS
WAYLON JENNINGS
JIMMY BUFFETT
EAGLES
VAN HALEN
POCO
TALKING HEADS
DAN FOGELBERG
CHEAP TRICK
WEATHER REPORT
FLEETWOOD MAC
DEVO
THE CARS
JONI MITCHELL
RICKIE LEE JONES
DARYL HALL & JOHN OATES
372 pages, Paperback
Published June 11, 2024
2162 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 6, 2025
I really enjoyed leafing though this book. On Record Vol. 7: 1979 is part of G. Brown’s ambitious year-by-year series, which aims to document the evolution of popular music from 1978 to 1998. I was confused why 1979 is volume 7 when 1978 is volume 1, but the author apparently did not prepare the books in chronological order as volume 2 is 1984, volume 3 is 1991, volume 4 is 1981 and so forth.
Physically, the book is a large-format (10 × 10 inch) softcover with 372 pages. As with the other volumes in the series, it features archival images, interviews, and snapshots of albums and artists from the year. The photos are probably the biggest draw of the book. the fist 220 pages of the book are formatted with a left hand page consisting of a 2 1/2 inch square color photo of the artist's 1979 album release with background and contemporary interview information below it. The right hand side is a full page black and white promotional photo of the artist. Starting with page 222, the left hand page consists of 3 color album pictures with 2 lines next to each about the album followed by three full page black and white photos of each artist. I don't how it was decided which artists were relegated to the lesser treatment in the back unless the author didn't interview them in 1979 and didn't have as much information to draw from. As it is, even the artists that get the full page treatment are not covered with any depth. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the nostalgic look at these bands and solo performers, some of which I'd forgotten about and some of which I was unaware.
I asked AI for and overall impression of the book and it came up with this:
"On Record Vol. 7: 1979 is a strong pick for music fans, especially those who lived through 1979 (or are enthusiastic about that era) and want a visually rich, broad-spectrum snapshot of the year in popular music. It functions well as both a nostalgic dive and a reference piece for the year’s major trends.
It may not satisfy a reader seeking deep critical analysis or a linear narrative story of how one trend morphed into another, but it doesn’t seem to aim for that. Its value lies in the breadth of coverage, the archival images, and the fact that it collects interviews and quotes from many artists.
For someone building a “music-library” of reference volumes, or wanting a gift for a music aficionado who remembers 1979, this book would make a solid inclusion."
I think AI capture's my thoughts pretty well. Again, I really enjoyed the trip down memory lane.
Full disclosure: I won a copy of this book in a LibraryThing giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
Physically, the book is a large-format (10 × 10 inch) softcover with 372 pages. As with the other volumes in the series, it features archival images, interviews, and snapshots of albums and artists from the year. The photos are probably the biggest draw of the book. the fist 220 pages of the book are formatted with a left hand page consisting of a 2 1/2 inch square color photo of the artist's 1979 album release with background and contemporary interview information below it. The right hand side is a full page black and white promotional photo of the artist. Starting with page 222, the left hand page consists of 3 color album pictures with 2 lines next to each about the album followed by three full page black and white photos of each artist. I don't how it was decided which artists were relegated to the lesser treatment in the back unless the author didn't interview them in 1979 and didn't have as much information to draw from. As it is, even the artists that get the full page treatment are not covered with any depth. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the nostalgic look at these bands and solo performers, some of which I'd forgotten about and some of which I was unaware.
I asked AI for and overall impression of the book and it came up with this:
"On Record Vol. 7: 1979 is a strong pick for music fans, especially those who lived through 1979 (or are enthusiastic about that era) and want a visually rich, broad-spectrum snapshot of the year in popular music. It functions well as both a nostalgic dive and a reference piece for the year’s major trends.
It may not satisfy a reader seeking deep critical analysis or a linear narrative story of how one trend morphed into another, but it doesn’t seem to aim for that. Its value lies in the breadth of coverage, the archival images, and the fact that it collects interviews and quotes from many artists.
For someone building a “music-library” of reference volumes, or wanting a gift for a music aficionado who remembers 1979, this book would make a solid inclusion."
I think AI capture's my thoughts pretty well. Again, I really enjoyed the trip down memory lane.
Full disclosure: I won a copy of this book in a LibraryThing giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
January 31, 2025
On Record, Vol 7: 1979, by G Brown, is probably best described as an informative book for those born after 1979 and a nostalgic book for those of us who remember the year vividly.
That isn't to say it wasn't informative for me, I learned a lot. Mostly about the artists or albums I didn't listen to a lot. Many of the artists/albums have a brief write up, nicely combining a little about their history and a little about the album. There were more albums in the latter half of the book with shorter entries but still, amazingly, quite informative for just being a sentence or two.
My rating combines both the writing and photographs with what the book meant to me (and will likely mean to those my age). The writing is very good, touches on interesting tidbits, while the photographs are the stock photos musicians and their agents circulated heavily in those days. I remember taking as many as I could when I was working at a radio station. Unfortunately, Hurricane Katrina took those, but the memories linger.
No matter your age or whether you remember this period, the best way to experience this book is with your preferred music source nearby. I revisited so many songs and listened for the first time to so many more. I found songs I loved then didn't move me as much now while some of those I didn't care for now hold a different place in my heart. And yes, some of the songs definitely made me groan.
This is the second book in the series I've looked at, though the first was just an excerpt which only served to frustrate me. If you love music, especially popular music (writ large), this book as well as the rest of the series would be wonderful additions to your library. If I weren't on such a fixed and limited income, I would be acquiring all of them.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via LibraryThing.
That isn't to say it wasn't informative for me, I learned a lot. Mostly about the artists or albums I didn't listen to a lot. Many of the artists/albums have a brief write up, nicely combining a little about their history and a little about the album. There were more albums in the latter half of the book with shorter entries but still, amazingly, quite informative for just being a sentence or two.
My rating combines both the writing and photographs with what the book meant to me (and will likely mean to those my age). The writing is very good, touches on interesting tidbits, while the photographs are the stock photos musicians and their agents circulated heavily in those days. I remember taking as many as I could when I was working at a radio station. Unfortunately, Hurricane Katrina took those, but the memories linger.
No matter your age or whether you remember this period, the best way to experience this book is with your preferred music source nearby. I revisited so many songs and listened for the first time to so many more. I found songs I loved then didn't move me as much now while some of those I didn't care for now hold a different place in my heart. And yes, some of the songs definitely made me groan.
This is the second book in the series I've looked at, though the first was just an excerpt which only served to frustrate me. If you love music, especially popular music (writ large), this book as well as the rest of the series would be wonderful additions to your library. If I weren't on such a fixed and limited income, I would be acquiring all of them.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via LibraryThing.
October 16, 2024
This is a very interesting book about the year in music on record 1979. It has 200 rare images of the bands, 100 interviews and insights from the year 1979. The book belongs in the library of every music fan and music institution. It is a great book to put on your coffee table as a reference book. I enjoyed reading this book and found a lot of bands and individuals that I was familiar with but also learned about the ones I hadn't known before. I would like to thank Colorado Music Experience and LibraryThing for introducing this book to me. Get a copy of this book to add to your library today!
January 25, 2025
I received this as part of LibraryThing’s early reviewers program.
Step back in time to 1979 with this volume. Author G. Brown puts a variety of albums in the spotlight. I was 12 that year and can remember some of these artists, but discovered many more. The longer write-ups include some context about the artist and some contemporary quotes from the time. They also include the press photos that accompanied the album. Not every album gets the same treatment; some just get a line of description, and there were some I’d have loved to know more about. It’s not clear how those decisions got made. On the whole I had fun leafing through this book. There’s more to 1979 than meets the eye!
Step back in time to 1979 with this volume. Author G. Brown puts a variety of albums in the spotlight. I was 12 that year and can remember some of these artists, but discovered many more. The longer write-ups include some context about the artist and some contemporary quotes from the time. They also include the press photos that accompanied the album. Not every album gets the same treatment; some just get a line of description, and there were some I’d have loved to know more about. It’s not clear how those decisions got made. On the whole I had fun leafing through this book. There’s more to 1979 than meets the eye!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews